Local life, culture and things to do

Sunset view of metal structures that make up the Thames Barrier, in Silvertown, East London.

The Thames Barrier, visible from the riverside of Silvertown, protects London from flooding. Photo by Holly Munks ⓒ Social Streets

Flood experts discuss the future of the Thames Barrier as water levels rise

10 May 202413 May 2024 Holly Munks

After 40 years of the Thames Barrier protecting Londoners from flooding, experts highlight the need for reinforcement in the face

Patch of grass with flowers in Poplar Recreation Ground in East London.

A patch of greenery in Poplar Recreation Grounds. Photo by Holly Munks © Social Streets

Local Out & About Places to visit

Urban oasis: let Poplar surprise you with its best green spaces

3 May 20247 May 2024 Holly Munks

Public gardens in Poplar are surprisingly serene, a refreshing alternative to the chaos of the city – and some of

Outside the Yurt Café on a sunny day in East London

Outside the Yurt Café, which is run by the Royal Foundation of St Katharine ⓒ YurtCaféLondon on X

Culture Environment Local Sports & Activities

Pop-up Repair Café workshops to be held across the borough throughout 2024

12 April 202413 April 2024 Holly Munks

Bromley-by-Bow Centre has teamed up with other charities in the borough to launch a programme of pop-up Repair Cafés helping

Exterior shot of E5 Poplar Bakehouse at Poplar Union, Tower Hamlets.

Eating & drinking Local Out & About

e5 Poplar Bakehouse is a thing of quiet beauty, an artisan café without pretension

5 April 202413 April 2024 Holly Munks

A satellite of Hackney’s e5 Bakehouse, this unassuming spot on Bartlett Park is many things rolled into one; a bakery,

Children from year 6 of the Ben Jonson primary School with the sculpture they designed. Image by Matt Crossick/PA wire.

Local Out & About Places to visit

Guide dogs take over Canary Wharf in new sculpture trail

29 March 202429 March 2024 Holly Munks

The Paws on the Wharf project aims to be inclusive but requires advance planning from visitors with sight loss. A

The exterior of The Queen's Head in Limehouse. Image by Robert Postings.

Eating & drinking Local Out & About

The Queen’s Head pub in Limehouse reopens with big goals

13 February 202413 February 2024 Robert Postings

‘We didn’t want it to turn into more flats’. The Queen’s Head re-opens with big ambitions to be a traditional

Exterior of The Gun pub on the Isle of Dogs.

The Gun. Image by Robert Postings.

Eating & drinking Local Out & About

The Gun: traditional British food in an excellent environment at this riverside pub

19 January 202419 January 2024 Robert Postings

Historic riverside gastropub The Gun offers traditional British food and an unbeatable riverside location. Sitting down at a table on

Hot pot in the Super Three Chinese restaurant of Poplar.

Eating & drinking Local Out & About

The best Chinese restaurants around Poplar

1 December 202315 December 2023 Robert Postings

Everyone loves a Chinese, so here are the best Chinese restaurants around Poplar, Limehouse, and the Isle of Dogs. China

Picture of Blackwall where the Jamestown Colony expedition set off. Painting is from the 18th century showing the ships on the Thames.

Blackwall in the 18th Century, about 100 years after the Jamestown Exhibition. Image of Painting at the National Maritime Museum.

Culture History & nostalgia Local

From Blackwall to Jamestown: England’s first colony in America

24 November 202324 November 2023 Robert Postings

When you think of the United States of America, Blackwall may not be the first thing that jumps to mind.

A lady practicing calligraphy at the Chinese Association of Tower Hamlets.

Concentrating on calligraphy. Image by Robert Postings.

Culture Life & living Local

Ping pong, calligraphy and tai-chi for a new generation of East End Chinese

31 October 202311 April 2024 Robert Postings

Limehouse’s Chinatown may have relocated to Soho but the Chinese Association of Tower Hamlets still provides tea, table tennis, calligraphy