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Area Guide: East London
Key Takeaways
East London covers a lot of ground. At one end, you have Stratford and the ripple effects of the 2012 Olympics still reshaping the area over a decade later. At the other, former industrial riverside land along the Thames is being turned into new neighbourhoods from scratch. Barking Riverside is a place that is still taking shape, making it a perfect choice for buyers who want to get in before the area fully takes off.
- L&Q has a development at Barking Riverside in Barking.
- Barking Riverside station connects to Central London in as little as 20 minutes on the London Overground, and to Barking in just six minutes.
- Barking Riverside is one of Europe's largest regeneration projects, with plans for up to 20,000 homes, new schools, green spaces and its own Barking Riverside pier.
Why should you choose East London?
East London has been through more change in the last 20 years than almost any other part of the capital, and a significant amount of that change is still underway. The Royal Docks Enterprise Zone alone is forecast to deliver 60,000 new jobs and up to 36,000 new homes to Newham.
At Barking Riverside, £124m in Homes England funding is backing a masterplan for up to 20,000 homes on a 443-acre site that sat empty for decades. Both areas are also benefiting from new or recently upgraded transport infrastructure, schools, parks and shops.
What is Barking like?
Barking sits in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, a few miles east of Stratford with the Thames to its south. It’s a well-connected town with a busy transport hub at its centre: the District, Hammersmith & City and c2c lines all stop at Barking Station, putting Central London well within reach on multiple routes.
The town has a long history, with Barking Abbey, founded in 666AD, sitting just off the high street and a diverse, well-established community that gives the area local character.
Where can you shop in Barking?
Barking Market is a must-visit. It’s a proper working street market that runs Monday to Saturday, with fresh produce, clothing, household goods and food stalls spread across the high street.
The Vicarage Field site, adjacent to the town centre, is earmarked for a large mixed-use regeneration scheme, including new homes, shops and leisure facilities. It’s currently in planning stages, but worth keeping an eye on as the wider town centre continues to evolve.
Gallions Reach Shopping Park fills the gap in the meantime, with Next, Boots, H&M and a handful of other retail names accessible in a short journey from Barking Riverside.
What is Barking’s food and drink scene like?
Barking’s food scene has plenty of variety, from proper sit-down restaurants to casual spots for coffee, brunch or a quick bite. Cristina‘s is a local favourite for a more substantial meal, with its steakhouse menu and strong following, while Wood Oven brings Turkish and Middle Eastern flavours to the high street, including a popular brunch. Eastern Paradise adds Indian and Asian dishes to the mix, and for something more informal, Storky Coffee & Juice Bar is a popular choice for a casual meal or drink.
The area also gets a taste of Barking’s independent food scene each September, when Emerge East takes over Station Square at Barking Riverside with street food traders, live music and an independent makers’ market.
Where are the green spaces in Barking?
The riverside path at Barking Riverside runs along the Thames, offering open views across the water and connecting to the wider Thames Path in both directions. The Ripple Greenway is a 1.3km linear park linking the development to Barking town centre, with oak benches, play features and exercise equipment throughout.
Barking Park is also a solid option, providing a boating lake, skate park, tennis courts, basketball court, splash park and a café. For something quieter, Eastbrookend Country Park has woodland walks and nature trails starting and ending at The Discovery Centre.