In the heart of East London.

What’s in the neighbourhood

With Hackney Wick, Shoreditch, and Brick Lane just moments away, you can enjoy local parks, a rich history and a variety of dining and leisure options right on your doorstep.

Local Area Map

Perfectly positioned between Canary Wharf, The City and Stratford, Bromley-by-Bow offers easy access to the very best of East London.

Arts

Bow Arts Trust has been nurturing London’s diverse creativity and talent since 1994. This arts and education charity supports over 600 artists, designers and makers, fostering sustainable local creative economies through their Nunnery Gallery.

For a cosy retreat, visit the Nunnery Café, tucked away on Bow Arts Lane. Enjoy locally-made cakes, pastries, and delicious coffees.

Greenspaces

Grove Hall Park, a serene greenspace with a playground and walled memorial garden, is perfect for a little walk on a lazy Sunday or a place to sit with friends in the summer months. If you’re looking for a larger spot, Victoria Park spans 86 hectares and offers events, live music and sports.

Sports & Leisure

Stratford and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park offer 560 acres of beautiful green spaces and iconic sports venues. A legacy of the 2012 Olympics, the park provides ample opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and outdoor activities. Enjoy idyllic riverside walks, award-winning gardens and imaginative playgrounds in this biodiverse haven.

Food & Drink

Living at Upper East puts you at the centre of Bow’s vibrant culinary scene. You’ll find a diverse array of dining options that cater to every taste, enhancing the appeal of this dynamic neighbourhood.

Shopping

Enjoy the best of both worlds with access to the UK’s most popular shopping destination as well as charming independent stores. Westfield Stratford City offers a premier shopping experience with over 300 brands including Burberry, Gucci and Versace. For those who prefer unique finds, Hackney Wick boasts a variety of independent shops.

Commuting

Upper East offers exceptional convenience for professionals, with Canary Wharf and The City just a short commute away.

Bromley-by-Bow’s excellent transport links, including the DLR, tube, and new Elizabeth Line (via Whitechapel, Stratford or Canary Wharf), ensure swift and easy access to these major business districts.

University Life

Home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, London is a prime destination for students seeking top-tier education.

London’s unique blend of history, culture, and innovation creates an inspiring environment for students to excel in their studies and prepare for successful careers.

Upper East History

1100

Where Bow Began

Bow began as Stratford-at-Bow, named after the distinctive bow-shaped bridge built in the 12th century over the River Lea. This crossing linked Bow with Stratford and West Ham, creating a key route into London and encouraging the area's earliest growth.

1300

A Landmark at the Centre

Bow Church was built in the 13th Century, and over the years it has lived through many chapters, including Tudor-era upheaval and damage during the Blitz. Today, the parish remains active, and its medieval stonework still forms the core of the building.

1700

Bow Porcelain

Bow became known for porcelain manufacturing. The Bow Porcelain Factory was among the first in England, producing fine ceramics inspired by Chinese and Japanese imports and exporting them nationwide.

1800

A Working Neighbourhood

Bow has long been a working-class area, home to dock workers, match factory staff, railway labourers, farmers, and more. Industry shaped daily life and formed a strong sense of local character.

1882

Gladstone Statue

A statue of Prime Minister William Gladstone was erected outside Bow Church in 1882, organised by factory owners. Local stories claim workers' wages helped fund it, and that the red-painted hand symbolised protest over harsh factory conditions.

1888

The Matchgirls’ Strike

In 1888, women workers at the Bryant & May match factory staged a brave strike over low pay and dangerous conditions. Their success became a turning point in British labour history and helped inspire wider trade union and women's rights movements.

1900

Early Council Housing

Around 1900, Bow saw the introduction of some of London's earliest council housing, designed to create safer, healthier living conditions.

1912

Suffragettes of Bow

Bow became a frontline of the suffrage movement, where women led the fight for the vote. Suffragettes, including Sylvia Pankhurst, faced arrest, hunger strikes, and force-feeding. From a shop on Bow Road, they campaigned for political rights and social change.

1928

Equal Voting Rights

By 1928, everyone could vote on equal terms. These changes were celebrated in Bow, where working class men and women had long been excluded.

1931

Gandhi Visits Bromley-by-Bow

Mahatma Gandhi stayed at Kingsley Hall in Bromley-by-Bow in 1931. During his three-month visit, he walked the local streets and canals, engaged with residents, and lived simply among the community.

1940

Resilience and Rebuilding

Bow suffered heavily during the Blitz, with homes, railways, and Bow Church badly damaged. After the war, residents helped rebuild streets and communities.

1960

New Arrivals

The post-war period brought new housing and waves of migration. Families from all over the world made Bow their home, forming the area's strong multicultural identity.

1970

Music with a Message

Victoria Park became famous for hosting open-air music festivals linked to social and political causes. Large crowds gathered here for events tied to anti-racism, peace, and social change.

1980

East London Community

Opened in 1984, the Bromley-by-Bow Centre became a vital community hub offering healthcare, cafés, classes, green space, and support services.

2000

Creative Hub

Bow played a significant role in shaping the UK grime scene, with artists such as Dizzee Rascal and Wiley growing up locally and putting E3 on the music map.

2012

Olympic Gold

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games transformed land just north of Bow into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. New parks, homes, and venues reshaped the wider area, bringing long-term investment and opportunity.

2025

A Place to Call Home

Today, the area is a vibrant, welcoming community with loyal residents and a strong local spirit. From Roman Road Market to independent cafés, canals, great pubs, excellent travel links, galleries and green spaces, Bow offers something for everyone.

2026

The Next Chapter

In 2026, Upper East will be completed, creating a new Stroudley Walk neighbourhood with 274 contemporary homes, shops, a pocket park and a community hub. Our vision is to build a lasting community, not just homes.

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Local area

Well Connected

Travel Times

Getting around London is a breeze when living in Bromley-by-Bow. Whether you prefer to walk, cycle, or take public transport, you can easily reach all the key areas. 

View Map
DLR from Bow Church
Stratford
2 STOPS*
Canary Wharf
6 STOPS*
London City Airport
10 STOPS (change at Poplar)*
Underground District Line from Bow Road
WHITECHAPEL
3 STOPS*
MONUMENT
6 STOPS*
VICTORIA
14 STOPS*
Underground Central Line from Mile End
Liverpool Street
2 STOPS*
BANK
3 STOPS*
OXFORD STREET
8 STOPS*
Elizabeth Line from Whitechapel
PADDINGTON
5 STOPS*
BOND STREET
8 STOPS*
HEATHROW
12 STOPS*
STRATFORD
8 MINS*
HACKNEY WICK
10 MINS*
CANARY WHARF
15 MINS*
BOW CHURCH DLR
4 MINS*
BOW ROAD UNDRGROUND
10 MINS*
MILE END UNDERGROUND
17 MINS*

*Walk and cycle times estimated by Google Maps. All journey times are approximate and based on peak times and subject to change from time to time. Source: tlf.gov.uk Sept 2024.

International access

Travelling internationally from Upper East is incredibly straightforward.

London boasts six major international airports, including Heathrow, which is just 12 stops away on the Elizabeth Line, making your work trips and holidays hassle-free. Additionally, the Eurostar terminal, offering quick access to Paris, is easily reachable via the Underground and DLR, ensuring smooth international travel. 

View Map
London Heathrow Airport from Whitechapel Underground
Elizabeth Line
12 stops*
London Gatwick Airport FROM BOW ROAD UNDERGROUND
BOW ROAD, DISTRICT LINE
3 STOPS TO WHITECHAPEL*
WHITECHAPEL, ELIZABETH LINE
2 STOPS TO FARRINGDON*
FARRINGDON, THAMESLINK
5 STOPS TO GATWICK AIRPORT (FAST TRAIN)*
London City Airport
FROM Bow Church DLR
10 stops (change at Poplar)*
Eurostar
from Bow Road Underground
9 stops Hammersmith and City Line*

*All journey times are approximate and based on peak times and subject to change from time to time. Source: tlf.gov.uk Sept 2024.

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