Looking for the best things to do in Bethnal Green? Look no further! Here’s your ultimate guide to the neighbourhood — from a Londoner!
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Bethnal Green, an area in the diverse borough of Tower Hamlets, is an essential East London destination.
Bordered by the popular Shoreditch to the west, the trendy Hackney to the north, and the busy Whitechapel to the south, it is one of the staples of the ‘new’ London that you can’t miss.
With a thriving art scene, hipster cafes, and historic landmarks, there’s plenty to explore and experience. Here’s a quick guide to the neighbourhood!
14 Best Things to Do in Bethnal Green
P.S. – Explore London’s neighbourhoods to the fullest with our London Explorer Guides 🏡🇬🇧
How to Get to Bethnal Green
The area of Bethnal Green is very well connected by the Central Line in the Underground, meaning you can get there in less than 30 minutes from Oxford Circus and less than 5 from Liverpool Street.
It also has an Overground station that links amazingly to the north of London.
Last but not least, there are lots of buses that can get you there. The 8 route is one of the most popular, as it takes you from Tottenham Court Road.
1. Columbia Road Flower Market
COLUMBIA ROAD, E2 7RG
Columbia Road Flower Market is an exciting burst of color, fragrance, and local charm that brings life to Bethnal Green every Sunday.
From 8 a.m. until about 3 p.m. (or until the stalls sell out), local vendors offer everything from bedding plants to 10-foot banana trees.
And of course, the stars of the day are the flowers and bouquets, ranging from traditional garden varieties to exotic flora, succulents, and rare species.
It’s ideal for anyone trying to pick up high-quality but reasonably priced plants for the garden, home, or office; but also ideal for anyone looking to have a lovely Sunday in a colourful community.
2. Backyard Comedy Club
231 CAMBRIDGE HEATH ROAD, E2 0EL
The Backyard Comedy Club is one of East London’s most iconic comedy venues.
Known for its relaxed atmosphere, diverse line-ups, and commitment to top-quality humor, it’s a must-visit destination for comedy lovers or anyone trying to have a fun night out.
Opened from 2000 and starting as a venue for comedians to try out new material before heading to larger shows, the club now has grown to become an essential stop for established stars too.
From traditional stand-up to sketch shows and interactive comedy games, it’s one of the most fun things to do in Bethnal Green.
3. Victoria Park
GROVE ROAD, E3 5TB
Locally known as “the People’s Park”, Victoria Park is London’s oldest public park that still brings together millions of locals and visitors alike.
With its broad tree-lined pathways, vast green meadows, soothing lakes, and a ton of activities on offer every month, it’s a popular destination for nature lovers, fitness enthusiasts, and local families seeking an outdoor space to hang out under the sun or rain.
You’ll never see it too empty or too full, as people will always be doing something. Like enjoying a coffee in The Pavilion Café, having a picnic, going to a music festival (All Points East rules!) and discovering the local offer of the Victoria Park Market every Sunday.
This is the park to be, and most people agree with me, as it’s held the ‘Green Flag People’s Choice Award’ for 11 consecutive years.
4. Mile End Park
CLINTON ROAD, E3 4QA
Victoria Park is not the only great green space in Bethnal Green. Right next to it and the Regent’s Canal lies the Mile End Park, an urban oasis that resulted from a transformation of the riverside wasteland after the World War II bombings.
In it, you’ll experience a bit more of the wildlife from East London. I won’t be surprised if you tell me that you saw a few foxes in your wandering!
And, if you decide to walk next to the canal, you can expect swans and ducks to say the least.
It also has a lot of attractions, like the Art Pavilion, the Ecology Park, and even a Climbing Wall, among other sport facilities.
5. The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History
11 MARE STREET, CAMBRIDGE HEATH ROAD, E8 4RP
Even though London is a city with a lot of different interesting areas, no one can deny that East London is a strong contender. And this place is living proof of it.
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History is an eccentric museum inside a bar that defies the conventions of any traditional idea you have on exhibitions.
It’s well known for its collection of the bizarre and the wonderful, specialising in the esoteric and the fantastical. And it’s never the same!
They constantly bring new exhibitions, objects, and art pieces that go from Chinese sex toys, taxidermy, dodo bones and surrealist art to tribal skulls, shrunken heads, occult, magical artifacts, specimens preserved in formaldehyde, and ‘fairies’ caught in Victorian times.
Intrigued yet?
6. The Truman Brewery Market
91 BRICK LANE, E1 6QR
East London is all about the arts, and that is no secret.
The Truman Brewery Market is a creative hub that offers exactly this: markets, independent shops, restaurants, galleries, and event spaces, all housed within the walls of the former largest brewery in the world.
Among the diverse markets that operate in this Old Brewery, you can find the following:
➡️ Sunday Upmarket, hosting over 200 stalls of fashion, accessories, crafts, interiors, and music, created by independent designers and makers.
➡️ The Vintage Market, for lovers of retro fashion sourced from around the world.
➡️ The Boiler House Food Hall, an absolute treat for food lovers, especially of international street food.
➡️ Backyard Market, operating on the weekends to offer locally-made art, craft items, clothing, and unique gifts.
➡️ Tea Rooms Market, offering traditional English tea goods, antique objects, collectibles and bric-a-brac.
7. V&A Museum of Childhood
CAMBRIDGE HEATH ROAD, E2 9PA
The V&A Museum of Childhood, a part of the Victoria and Albert Museum, is a lovely space dedicated to the culture of childhood. Home to one of the world’s finest collections of children’s toys, dollhouses, games, and costumes.
Founded with the idea to bring the South Kensington Museum’s overflow collection to East London, it evolved into a specialist institution for children. Where families can learn, create memories, and be inspired.
Like other museums, they offer temporary exhibitions as well, focusing on various aspects of design, culture, and social history related to childhood. And they include a lot of interactive displays, making it a favourite among the young ones!
8. Paradise Row
PARADISE ROW, E2 9LH
East London is a famous paradise for food lovers, and Paradise Row is one of the spots to go. It’s a trendy street with a diverse mix of restaurants, bars, shops, and historical landmarks.
I’m not going to lie, this spot is often overlooked because of Brick Lane. This one is as good considering it offers a lot of international cuisine too, but also very different, as it offers a more relaxing atmosphere.
There are a lot of options and it’s hard to pick, but I would suggest going to the popular Resident, Paradise Garage, and Sager + Wilde. For beer lovers, Mother Kelly’s is a must; while coffee specialists will appreciate Climpson’s Arch.
The area has more than food and drinks, too — with tons of galleries and local events on year-round.
9. Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club
42-46 POLLARD ROW, E2 6NB
Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club is one of the best night outs, guaranteed!
Like most things in the area, it was established in the late 1800s to be a centre where working-class East Londoners could socialise, relax, and participate in educational activities.
Now, however, despite keeping the traditional aesthetic, it transformed into a trendy venue that celebrates independent and alternative entertainment.
Its unconventional program of events attracts a diverse and quirky crowd, with a wide offer of live music, club nights, theatre and comedy, cabaret and burlesque, film screenings, art exhibitions, and even workshops.
So if you want to travel back in time while celebrating the modern vibe we live in today, this is the place to be!
10. Vagina Museum
ARCHES 275-276, POYSER STREET, E2 9RF
Welcome to one of the most powerful museums in the world, The Vagina Museum.
The small institution is anything but, as it is a fascinating initiative to raise awareness, break taboos, and celebrate the anatomy, history, and culture of the female reproductive system.
It is also the first museum of its kind, born from the realisation that there was a penis museum in Iceland but not a vagina equivalent anywhere in the world.
While here you can explore their several exhibitions, events, and educational programs; all with the aim of creating a space for inclusive discussion and promoting gender equality.
11. Spitalfields City Farm
BUXTON STREET, E1 5AR
Bethnal Green is also home to the countryside of the city with Spitalfields City Farm.
The farm is a unique opportunity to interact with a variety of animals, explore gardens, and participate in community events.
Local families love this green space full of donkeys, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, and rabbits, just to name a few. Plus, they have a dedicated conservation program for rare breeds in UK farms to save them from extinction.
Another popular program they have is the ‘Coriander Club’ run by local Bangladeshi women to grow traditional crops that are not easily found in the UK.
Don’t miss their website, as this is just an example of what you can do. They also host a variety of fun events throughout the year, like the Oxford and Cambridge Goat Race!
12. Bethnal Green Cafes
If you think about it, Bethnal Green breathes art. And what else is coffee if not art?
Alright, maybe a bit cliché on my side, but you got to be with me on this one. Specialty cafes are the best, not only to enjoy delicious coffee and treats but to be part of a community while you work, chat, or relax.
Here are just three examples of the best cafes in Bethnal Green, in my opinion. But feel free to explore, as the list is enormous!
The Beehive
This cafe is also a co-working space and a community centre, which sums up everything that the Bethnal Green creative community identifies with. You can enjoy your delicious drink on deckchairs surrounded by trees or on big tables to share with other interesting people.
Gallery Cafe
This one is one of London’s most popular vegan coffee shops. The drinks and food do not disappoint, especially if you enjoy them in their big beautiful garden.
Fuckoffee
Funny, unique, and authentic, this cafe in Bethnal Green takes a smile out of you every time you step in. Either with its ‘motivational quotes’ or with one of their delicious treats.
Read More: The Best Bethnal Green Cafes: A Local’s Coffee Shop Guide
13. Bethnal Green Bars and Pubs
From trendy wine bars to traditional British pubs, Bethnal Green is a great area to enjoy drinks with a diverse community. With craft beer too!
The Crown
One of the most beautiful and elegant pubs I’ve ever seen, this one feels cosy and local and the Bethnal Green community loves it. It’s right next to Victoria Park, so their terrace is a must-spot in the summer.
The Star of Bethnal Green
Eclectic and creative crowds enjoy the live DJs and gigs in this pub, where they also offer different food or drinks deals every day. It’s more of a party bar than a chill pub, but you were warned!
Birdcage
The Draft House pub is for beer fanatics of all sorts. It’s located minutes away from the flower market on Columbia Road, which makes it perfect for a chill moment with friends and family in East.
14. Bethnal Green Brunch
Finally, every area of London needs to have a strong brunch offer, and Bethnal Green doesn’t stay behind.
Arepa & Co.
As if you need a reason to fall in love with Latin American food, Arepa & Co. arrives with their mission to provide the best Venezuelan food. Expect anything but average with the breakfasts here.
The Common E2
A perfect mix between brunch and work, this spot is for you. It has an all-day menu of everything from specialty coffee to Shakshuka and Eggs Benedict. Plus the great insight to the artist and freelance community.
Recharge
For more traditional yet healthy, the breakfast in Recharge is what you’re looking for. Enjoy a morning of avocado, halloumi, cucumbers, and hashbrowns in one of the most wonderful areas of London!
14 Best Things to Do in Bethnal Green
Thanks for reading my Things to Do in Bethnal Green Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE LONDON GUIDES:
- Where to Brunch in Bethnal Green: 10 Best Breakfast Spots
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- London Coffee Shop Guides
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Happy Londoning,
