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Victoria Park

A lively green space in east London
  • Attractions | Parks and gardens
  • Victoria Park
Anya Ryan
Written by Anya Ryan
Contributing writer, Time Out London
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Time Out says

What is it?

Known as the ‘People’s Park’, Victoria Park is one of London’s favourite open spaces. Stretched over a huge 86.18 hectares, this swath of the outdoors is nestled entirely in Tower Hamlets and attracts East London dwellers in their masses, rain or shine. In the summer it’s often taken over by festivals like Field Day and All Points East. In the autumn park-goers are treated to epic fireworks displays, but that’s not all: parts of the park are Grade II-listed and it was originally landscaped by the famous architect Sir James Pennethorne in 1842. Worth looking out for are the Dogs of Alcibiades statues, Burdett-Coutts Fountain and two stone alcoves from the original London Bridge.

Why go?

Step out of bustling East London and into a hub of tranquillity. Victoria Park boasts two expansive lakes (one with a Chinese pagoda island), a boating pond and lots of wonderful activities for youngsters. The V&A Playground is equipped with swings and other bits and bobs to play on and the fantastically designed Pools Playground encourages creative play. It’s also the place to go for outdoor pursuits with tennis courts, a bowling green and running track, plus football and cricket pitches. And if you work up a thirst? There's the Pavilion Café, where you can grab a bite to eat before kicking back in the splendour of Pennethorne's lovely vision.

Don't miss:

Every Saturday (11am-5pm) and Sunday (10am-4pm) the walkway between the park's Gore gate and the Bonner gate is taken over by a weekly food market. On Saturday, prepare to choose between some of London's best street food sellers - and there's lots of booze on sale too. Sunday has a range of seasonal fruit and veg, cheeses and organic butchers selling their produce, too. 

When to visit:

Victoria Park opens at 7am and closes at dusk, 365 days a year.

Ticket info:

The park is free to enter. 

Time Out tip:

Stop off at one of the pubs near the park while you're there. Some of our favourites are People's Park Tavern, The Approach Tavern and Royal Inn on the Park.

Details

Address
Victoria Park Rd
London
E3 5SN
Transport:
Tube: Mile End/Bethnal Green
Opening hours:
7am-dusk Mon-Sun
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What’s on

All Points East

All Points East returns to Vicky Park for its eighth edition in 2026. Since debuting in 2018, the festival has garnered a reputation for building some of the most exciting line-ups in the UK. Its headliners are often indie or dance-focused big-hitters, while its undercards are packed with cult heroes and rising stars you can say you saw first. As well as the ticketed weekend events, look out for All Points East In the Neighbourhood, the festival’s free midweek programme of community activities including film screenings, live sports, theatre, family fun and more.  When is All Points East 2025?  APE will take place across the final two weekends of August. That’s August 21-23 and August 28-30.     How much are tickets? Each show is priced differently, as are the different levels of access on offer. Depending on the day, general admission tickets for the 2026 shows start at £69.95 and go up to £84.95. If you want to beat the crowds to a prime spot, you can nab a primary entry ticket for a little bit extra. There are also payment plans available if you’d prefer not to drop the full ticket price all at once. Really want to go but can’t afford to drop the full ticket price all at once? Payment plans are available. Every year APE also organises a free mid-week programme in collaborating with Tower Hamlets Council for locals called In The Neighbourhood. Details of 2026’s edition haven’t been released yet but previous years have seen free cinema screenings, street food, sports...
  • Music festivals

All Points East: In the Neighbourhood

You’ve probably heard of All Points East, the  London music festival taking over Victoria Park for its eighth installment this August, with headliners including Jorja Smith, Lorde and Tyler, The Creator. As well as hosting gigs with a whole bunch of international megastars, it’s bringing back its community festival In The Neighbourhood in collaboration with Tower Hamlets Council. Taking place in the middle of the festival’s two weekends, it features loads of free family entertainment. Youngsters can get stuck into kids’ sports sessions hosted by local groups like Tower Hamlets Hockey Club, Adore Dance London, Limehouse Boxing Academy and Girls Allowed, while grown-ups can sign up for free barre, yoga and pilates classes, or make use of free bike maintenance courtesy of Cambridge Heath studio Bikeworks. And for the more creatively inclined, there’ll be on-stage entertainment from the likes of Limehouse’s Half Moon Theatre, Whitechapel’s Tamaring Theatre and Bethnal Green arts venue Rich Mix, plus workshops with the Orchestra Of Objects and The Big Draw. In short, it’s a fabulous way to keep kids entertained during the long summer holidays, or a great venue for post-work meet-ups in the sun. Find out more on the All Points East website.
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