Your Stratford London Travel Guide

The spirit of the 2012 Olympic Legacy lives on…Stratford is one of the most exciting and dynamic parts of London as the phenomenal success of this country’s Olympic sporting heroes created a passion and enthusiasm that is set to run and run. And with Stratford continuing to develop apace, the range of fully serviced accommodation for sportsmen and women, as well as sporting enthusiasts, has never been more varied and affordable. Contact Go London Apartments and we will be glad to offer a selection of serviced accommodation to suit your budget what ever the size of your group. You can be sure that we will offer you a good deal in Stratford.Stratford is home to a number of high profile sporting events that deservedly bring it to the attention of an international and global audience.Looking further down the track, Stratford welcomes the UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Simply not to be missed, the world’s most famous names compete to test their strength, speed and tactical strategy in thrilling time trials and races. The venue is Lee Valley Velo park, famous in its own right for the ‘Velodrome Roar…the ideal setting to showcase the prowess of some of the sports most renowned names. Witness Great Britain’s stars pit themselves against the World’s elite cyclists for the right wear the coveted rainbow jersey. See details of cycling events >And remember the sporting buzz continues…  We offer a wide range of serviced accommodation so you can get behind your favourite athletes and perhaps witness new records being set in the prestigious olympic Stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Sports Park. Stratford is the ideal base to thrill to a plethora of scheduled sporting events.  The Stadium is now home to West Ham Football Club.The Theatre Royal in Stratford East is a great venue for shows and entertainment, a 460-seater community theatre that produces new theatre shows and comedy. Since 1953, the theatre has been the home of the Theatre Workshop company.At the north end of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, there is the Tumbling Bay Adventure Playground and Timber Lodge, a state-of-the-art playground with plenty for children of all ages to explore and discover, from a hidden piano, nest-like dens, wobbly walkways and an elaborate sequence of sand and water diggers and pulleys. The popular Timber Lodge cafe serves excellent coffee and a selection of healthy lunches.

Shopping Stratford…a European shopping success courtesy of Westfield

After so many sporting thrills, Stratford has so much else to offer as, apart from being home to the Olympic Park, it boasts a fantastic array of arts venues and the largest urban shopping centre in Europe – Westfield Stratford City so big it boasts more than 300 shops and its very own postcode. It has around 4,500 parking spaces in three car parks over 15 levels – each of which has easy access to the shopping malls and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The Westfield Shopping Centre itself has a range of some of the biggest brands for the ultimate in shopping experiences from Adidas, Apple, Breitling, and Calvin Klein…extending right through to an A to Z of amazing retails outlets… and when you are done shopping, there’s even a all digital Vue Cinema so you can catch up with the latest film releases with seventeen screens to choose from…And when you need sustenance, there are an incredible 70 food and drink outlets to relish catering for a truly international range of tastes. Westfield Stratford City even has the UK’s biggest casino so you can bet there will be a memorable experience waiting for you.Travel…couldn’t be easier as Stratford is a transport hub with excellent rail, tube and bus links. With a high-speed bullet train service from St. Pancras International, numerous bus services, DLR, Overground, Jubilee and Central lines coming to Stratford’s stations, you can get to London’s most exciting Park quickly and effortlessly!The Stratford Smile – day and night, all year round, Stratford is the developing face of London and we can find the perfect serviced accommodation for you.Some of our accommodation in the Stratford area is highly economical and cost efficient, especially for groups travelling together. Whether you are looking for a studio apartment, one bedroom apartment or two bedroom apartment we have a great range of options for you.

Stratford’s Main Sporting Venues And Attractions

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Whether you’re into sports, arts and culture, fresh air, adventure playrounds, shopping or just relaxing with a coffee, the Park has something for you. A lovely venue to bring children – iconic parklands to wander through, playgrounds for them to run around and let off steam. Charming waterways with relaxing boat tours and swan pedalos and magical lighting illuminating the water at dusk. The Park is adorned with and array of inspirational world-class artworks. Interestingly, the park is now known as Europe’s biggest outdoor classroom! With plenty of serviced accommodation available in the area, this is a great family location for days out and weekends away.
The Copper Box Arena
The “box that rocks” offering gym, sports hall, group exercise classes and badminton courts. The Copper Box is also an international netball venue. The arena has up to 2700m2 of divisible, flexible space that can be hired for sporting events and is particularly suitable for badminton, basketball, handball/futbal, volleyball and netball. The Copper Box is now home to the London Lions basketball team.
The London Stadium
A magnificent arena – the only venue in the UK able to host both world class football matches and international athletics events and competitions. Forthcoming events include Premier League 2018/19 football matches featuring the ever popular West Ham United. The Stadium will be the first venue in Europe to host Major League Baseball, when the New York Yankees and the Boston Reds Sox meet at The Stadium in June 2019.
The Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre
State of the art facilities at this contemporary complex offering children’s tennis lessons to cardio tennis on both indoor and outdoor courts as well as an extensive adult tennis programme and the opportunity to play disability tennis. The Centre works closely with England Hockey, local clubs, schools and community organisations to run a range of hockey programmes. This is the ideal venue for groups and clubs who can book to play and enjoy hockey on the two Union Jack fringed pitches.
London Aquatics Centre
Enjoy a swim in the pools of champions, the most technologically advanced and stunning swimming facility in the world – the home of the 2012 London Legacy. There are three pools to choose from and the Centre offers a range of swimming and diving opportunities suitable for both adults and children alike. Lane swimming, family swimming, lessons and specialist sessions including women-only and disabiity swimming are accommodated. The venue also houses a popular state-of-the-art gym.
Lee Valley VeloPark
Thrills for the cyclist whether you’re into track cycling, road racing, BMX or mountain biking.  Superb venue. You can cycle the track in the velodrome, race on the road circuit, tackle mountain bike trails and jump and bump on the berms of the BMX track. This is a venue that offers something for the whole family.
The Arcelormittal Orbit
Come on down and ride the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide and enjoy superb views of London from the UK’s tallest sculpture – a landmark to remember! This red tower of twisted metal, the magnificent looping ArcelorMittal Orbit, is an iconic symbol of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the London 2012 Games. Whizz down this giant slide at speeds of about 15mph in a 40 second descent. If speed is not your thing then take the lift (and your camera) to the viewing platforms where you can enjoy the sweeping panorama of the London with views extending as far as Wembley Stadium, St Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf! The ArcelorMittal Orbit is also bookable for receptions, dinners and corporate events, not to mention weddings!
Forman’s
Superb riverside restaurant and bar whose speciality is the famous London cure smoked salmon, as well as a great array of seasonal British food and drinks. Great views of the Olympic Stadium. Whilst there you can visit the viewing gallery into the smokehouse. Featured on BBC Celebrity Masterchef.
Crate Brewery
Great spot next to the River Lea where you can enjoy a good range of beers and stone-baked pizzas. You can also see behind the scenes when you take a tour round the brewery and find out how the magic happens!
Pie Crust
Don’t be put off by the exterior – this Thai cafe is one of Stratford’s hidden gems. Delicious food in the heart of Stratford.
Pasta Remoli
One of the best fresh pasta restaurants in the whole of London – open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dedicated to authentic fresh Italian cuisine.
Darkhorse Restaurant & Bar
A modern European restaurant and cocktail bar offering a unique blend of Italian and Spanish influenced food. Full dining menu with extensive wine list as well as local beers.
Goppa Pizzeria & Restaurant
Excellent pizza restaurant. Highly recommended. Great food in charming surroundings.
Busaba Westfield Stratford City
A haven for busy shoppers serving Thai food on large, stylish sharing tables. Menu includes modern takes on classic Thai salads.
King Edward VII Stratford
Renowned as one of the best pubs in Stratford, this Grade II listed public house was built in the 18th century. Originally named the King of Prussia! Fascinating pub – sympathetically renovated throughout with lots of original features including ornately tiled walls and frosted glass dividers.
The Bat And Ball
Westfield Stratford’s liveliest and largest bar serving a good range of craft beer, cocktails and coffee. And good for those who love a game of ping pong!
Tap East
A renowned beer bar and microbrewery located opposite Stratford International Station. Popular with shoppers and visitors to sporting events alike. Come along and have a pint!
The Cow
Great pub situated opposite the Olympic Park serving fresh food and a wide selection of beers and real ales.
Cafe Football
This quirky establishment is a one off – and offers a unique and fun interpretation of the food surrounding England’s national game of football.

Getting To Stratford

Reaching your serviced accommodation in Stratford is simply a breeze! Public transport was developed so effectively in this area for the 2012 Olympic Games and remains to this day for the many thousands of visitors coming to Stratford for leisure, pleasure and corporate stays. Stratford is particularly well served by railway networks.
Stratford Station
Stratford Station is a veritable labyrinth of platforms and corridors. Timetables and information can easily be found in the lower concourse in the centre of the station so it is best to head for there for advice. There are 12 platforms in all, all of which are accessed by a subway. Step free access to platforms 3, 5, 6 and 8 are via the western subway only. To travel from Stratford Regional and Stratford International, just walk through the Westfield Shopping Centre.
By Tube
You can easily reach Stratford station by London underground, both via the Central Line and the Jubilee Line.
By DLR (Docklands Light Railway)
There are DLR stations at Stratford Station and Stratford International Station.To the east, the DLR serves Stratford, Beckton and Woolwich Arsenal. To the south, the DLR serves Docklands, Greenwich and Lewisham.
London Overground
Regular services operate on the North London Line to and from Stratford station. Direct services run between Stratford and Richmond and Stratford and Clapham Junction.Please note that Stratford station and Stratford international station are in Travel Zone 2/3.
By Rail
Westfield Stratford City is served by TFL Rail, National Rail services and high speed trains. From Kent and St Pancras to Stratford International station and from Essex, Hertfordshire, East Anglia and Liverpool Street/Fenchurch Street to Stratford station.
By Bus
Buses serve Stratford City bus station, Stratford bus station and Stratford International station. Current bus services serving Stratford include 25, 86, 104, 158, 241, 262, 308, 388, 473.
By Coach
Public coach operators serve Stratford, shopping at Stratford City bus station. Origins and destinations include Victoria coach station, Stansted Airport, Colchester, Norwich and Thetford.

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