Staycationing in the East End

As my time draws near I don't want to waste a minute of my opportunity to be on this side of the pond. However, time nor funds can really permit me to travel abroad as often as Id like. Then I realized there is so much of England to still explore! I've been to Kent, Surrey and Essex (all with posts following), but closer to home has a lot to offer. East End London--I don't mean the really trendy, gentrified, hipster filled East End of Brick Lane or Whitechapel, I'm talking 'Eastenders' here. So on days off, when there hasn't been time enough to plan and execute a getaway or I've been too blah to think up an activity for the day, it's time to explore my little neck of the woods. This usually means spending the day on my feet wandering (or if I'm feeling brave) cycling about town.

My favourite part of East London are the canals. Once with a functional economic purpose and the main artery for business in London, today the canals serve as route for recreational boating, house boat mooring, and gentle walks along the towpaths. From the canal towpaths you can walk/cycle to the Limehouse Cut and cross to Greenwich in a Victorian tunnel or if you have the stamina walk all the way to Camden and beyond.  Along these towpaths edging the canals are some great restaurants and pubs. 

One of my favourite said establishment is the Create Brewery. They have some lovely fruit beer (for me) and other ales on tap, and even lovelier stone oven baked pizza. Sit in the sun by the water or share a family table inside with a great atmosphere and good soundtrack.

Also reached by the canals are several parks; Victoria Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and 3 Mills Green. Victoria Park is the oldest purpose build park in London and has a cute village near by to explore. There's also the Park Cafe where I once had a scrumptious brunch at.

Queen Elizabeth Park (aka where the Olympics happened) has lots of space to run and jump around in, or you can bring your swimsuit and go for a swim in the pool, or something completely different and climb the Orbit to enjoy views of...the park and East London from a slightly higher viewpoint.

3 Mills Green is much smaller, and also not well know except for a few local residence and their dogs. It's a great place to stop and have a picnic or try your skill at a small obstacle course.

Not to forget a bit of culture while you traverse. The House Mill, hidden behind a giant Tesco and a derelict building that looks to be  a former crack den, is a little gem of a historic nugget. Built in 1776 it produced flour and serviced the distillery next door. There are few examples like it of it's time left around London. It is in fact the "largest tidal mill left standing in Britain". Better still it has a cafe to enjoy a nice hot cuppa. 

And so concludes my staycation in my little bit of East London.


Check out the link up on Kelly's, Mandy's, Emma's, and Rebecca's blogs.