Also in the Area
Places to eat and drink in the area (within easy walking distance):
Mile End is not all kebab and fried chicken shops (though admittedly you have to look a little closer to find the gems). To enhance your visit to the area, we at the Museum have selflessly conducted extensive research into the local cuisine options and can suggest the following places to ensure a good meal and drink whilst here. (We have not received any promotional fees for including these listings).The Palm Tree pub – the friendliest and certainly one of the most atmospheric pubs in the East End. Tucked away from the main road and hugged by both the canal and Mile End Park, it’s a real gem. Approach on foot via the Regent’s Canal or from Grove Road. The Palm Tree, Haverfield Road, Bow, London, E3 5BH.
Roastars Café under the ‘green’ bridge (which is actually yellow but so called for the greenery which grows on top of it) on Mile End Road for good coffee, sandwiches and cakes. Very close to the tube station and en route to the Museum.
Matsu Japanese Kitchen – also under the green bridge, just opposite Roastars Café. Authentic, healthy and reasonably priced Japanese food and fantastic service. Hot food, sushi and takeaway available. A favourite with museum staff. Call them on 020 8983 3528 if you’d like to book a table (only really necessary if you’re in a large group). Open 7 days; Sundays from 2pm to 11pm.
The Orange Room, Burdett Road for authentic Lebanese food and fabulous mint tea. Not known for its fast service, but will offer you lovely soups (the chicken noodle is wonderful), cous cous based casseroles and Lebanese dips and grills. 63 Burdett Road, Bow E3 4TN 020 8980 7336. Open 7 days from 10am to 11pm.
Meds Café on Burdett Road for sandwiches and burgers. A step up from the other kebab shops along Burdett Road, though they do like their mayonnaise and salad creams. 37 Burdett Road, E3 4TN. 020 8980 4088. Also open on Sundays from 10 am.
Further afield (or perhaps on your way):
Canary Wharf offers a wide range of eating and drinking options – from quick snacks to full dinners. These are typically open 7 days a week, including Sundays after 12 noon.
The Pavilion in Victoria Park is really worth popping into if you’re coming from that direction for fabulous organic cakes, sandwiches, all day breakfasts, juices and great coffee – situated right beside the lake in the park, it’s a lovely spot. Approach on foot either from the Regent’s Canal or from Grove Road.
Family-friendly and just around the corner
Mile End has a fantastic swimming pool and other sports facilities including gym, football pitches and tennis courts – all situated in Mile End Leisure Centre just opposite the museum (Map). 190 Burdett Road, E3 4HL, 020 8709 4420.
There is also Mile End Park Children’s Playground – just off Rhodeswell Road which offers specialised outdoor play equipment for children under 8 years old. There is an older children’s playground complete with flying foxes, climbing frames and various strange looking swinging apparatus that older kids seem to love in Mile End Park beside the Leisure Centre.
For older and more hardy children over 5 feet (152cm) in height, there is also a local Go Kart track just around the corner from the Museum (adjacent to Mile End Leisure Centre). Enter via the Railway Arches, 422-424 Burdett Road, Mile End Park E3 4AA. 020 7005 0318.
If you’re feeling even more energetic, Mile End climbing wall is just down the canal (next to the Palm Tree pub). A relaxed, informal and friendly place in a great setting which caters for everyone from the first-timer to the Everest explorer.
And if the sight of water in the canal inspires you to take to the seas, it’s worth contacting Docklands Sailing Club who offer fantastic kids events and training for budding skippers.
Other museums and galleries in the East London area:
Museum in Docklands, Canary Wharf – gives a brilliant overview of the important role the River and the Docks area has had on the development of London. Has a great under 5's area. Easy to get to by bus, DLR or tube.
V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green – great place to visit for a comprehensive tour through the history of English childhood. Some beautiful and fascinating children’s clothes, toys and games and special exhibitions about childhood on display. Just next to the tube at Bethnal Green.
Whitechapel Art Gallery, Whitechapel – exhibitions, live music, talks, film and great food. Just next to the tube at Whitechapel, this is arguably London’s premier contemporary art gallery. Open Wed-Sun from 11am - 6pm.
Sutton House, Hackney – a National Trust property and the oldest house in East London. Worth giving them a call before you visit as they are often used by community groups as well as general visitors. 020 8986 2264. A very friendly, welcoming and special place.
Geffrye Museum, Hackney – shows how the English home has changed since 1600 in a series of period rooms and art exhibitions. It also has a great restaurant and fabulous gardens.
Hackney Museum, Hackney – situated just next door to Hackney Town Hall this museum is focused on the people who’ve made Hackney their home over the last 1,000 years.
The Building Exploratory, Hackney – seriously fun place to go where you can learn about the local area through its buildings (in a fun way). Who said engineers were boring? This place is great! Kids love it as much as the grown ups do.
Discover, Stratford – we love Discover. It is a fabulous place. It’s not so much a museum or a gallery as a magical place where kids aged 0 to 8 and their carers can create stories together. It’s very hard to describe, but it’s wonderful. Contains both an indoor and outdoor play and story building area (very hands-on and creative, it’s all about kids imaginations).
The Three Mills, Bromley-by-Bow. This distinctive building (which looks a bit like a series of dunces hats) was built in 1776 and was rebuilt after a fire in 1804. It is the largest remaining Tide Mill in the UK and one of the few Grade 1 listed industrial buildings in London. It spans the River Lea and has an impressive quantity of water wheels and millstones therein. Open the first Sunday of the month from March-December. Like us, the Millhouse has a small café offering drinks and snacks only.
Walking and cycling:
As confirmed greenies, we at the Museum love cycling and encourage all our visitors to visit us via two wheels. You are welcome to lock your bikes up at the Museum either by the Regent’s Canal or Copperfield Road entrances. You can get free (and excellent) cycle route maps from your local bike shop or from London Transport on 0845 305 1234. You can also order these on the Transport for London's site. The Museum is located on map 7 – in the Stepney region.
If you feel like you or your family could do with some support to get yourself on your bikes – get in touch with the lovely folk at the London Cycling Campaign. They can put you in touch with local cycle groups and training centres in your area.
The Regent’s Canal is part of the National Cycle Network and is a great route for the whole family to enjoy. Please give way to pedestrians on the canal towpath as it is also a fantastic and much loved walking route and fishing location.
British Waterways provide free online information about events on the waterways and maps for walkers and other users of the canals.
Also all worth a visit:
Stepping Stones Farm (just around the corner from the Museum)
and our favouriteHackney City Farm (not just a place to see the animals or collect your organic veggie box – also offers great café food and wonderful art activities).