Family Adventure Map: Eastern Explorer

Frolic through lush gardens, go back in time at eye-opening museums and solve puzzles in this action-packed journey through East London

Eastern Explorer lead tile
Time Out in association with Transport for London
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Searching for inspiration for family-friendly East London outings? We've got just the itinerary for you. Together with Transport for London, we've created an exciting journey through the east, complete with fun challenges, games and cool facts at each location to make your day out even more wonderful.

Each location on this itinerary is just a short walk or bus ride from a Tube or London Overground station, and we've provided all the information you need to travel from each location to the next. Please note that journey time is approximate. 

Remember to check TfL Journey Planner before you travel and always touch in and out with the same card or device to pay the right fare. 


              

Eastern Explorer

  • Things to do
  • Walks and tours
  • Clerkenwell
Museum of the Order of St John
Museum of the Order of St John

COLOURING IN

Colour in a stained-glass window.

To get to the next location:
Circle line from Farringdon to Liverpool Street, then Central line to Gants Hill. 42 mins

  • Attractions
  • Historic buildings and sites
  • Ilford
Valentines Mansion and Gardens
Valentines Mansion and Gardens

QUESTION

What are the names of the two ponds in the gardens?

To get to the next location:
123 bus from Beehive Lane to Bromley Road. 26 mins

  • Art
  • Public art
  • Walthamstow
William Morris Gallery
William Morris Gallery

FILL IN THE GAPS

What is the missing word in this quote on the wall of the William Morris Gallery?

I do not want art for a _ any more than I want an education for a _ or freedom for a _.

To get to the next location:
14-min walk to Walthamstow Central. Victoria line to Highbury & Islington, then London Overground to Dalston Junction. 36 mins

  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • Dalston
Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

DID YOU KNOW?

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is named after the old Eastern Curve railway line that it's located on. 

To get back to the Museum of the Order of St John:
243 bus to Clerkenwell Rd St John Street. 25 mins

Congratulations – you've completed the route!

Want more family outings?

Your guide to the wonderful world of off-peak

For adult adventurers

Thanks to TfL's off-peak fares and fantastic discounts for kids, getting out and about in London as a family is super-affordable.

Where do off-peak fares apply?
All Tube, DLR and most London Overground services across London.

When do they apply?
Every weekday before 6.30am, between 9.30am and 3.59pm, and after 7pm.

They also apply all day at weekends and on those glorious bank holidays!

To check your fare, search TfL Single Fare Finder.

Travel in Zones 2-6 for £1.50.
Fare shown is for an adult off-peak pay as you go journey not going via Zone 1.

Travel into Zone 1 from £2.40.
Fare shown is for an adult off-peak pay as you go journey from Zone 2 into Zone 1.

Travel by bus or tram for just £1.50!
Off-peak does not apply on buses or trams: TfL’s Hopper fare lets you take unlimited bus or tram journeys anytime, anywhere within one hour of first touching in for just £1.50.

Top Time Out travel tips:
Remember to check TfL Journey Planner before you travel.

Always touch in and out with the same card or device to pay the right fare.

For pint-sized passengers

Under 5s
Children under five travel free at any time on all TfL services! This includes the Tube, DLR, London Overground, buses and trams. Children must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

5-10 years
Kids aged 5-10 travel free on all buses and trams, when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket, without the need for a Zip Oyster photocard.

They can also travel free on all Tube, DLR and London Overground services when they have a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard, where pay as you go is accepted.

11-15 years
Children aged 11-15 travel free on all buses and trams with an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard.

With an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard they can also travel at half the adult rate on all Tube, DLR and London Overground services.

Get your Zip Oyster photocard today!
The Zip Oyster photocard is your key to making the most of TfL’s great discounts for families. Getting one is super-easy: all you need to do is visit tfl.gov.uk/zip and apply online (parents or guardians must apply). Then, let your adventures begin!

Did you know? If your child is 16 but was 15 on August 31, they can still apply for an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard, which is better value.

Your key to London adventures
Your key to London adventures

The Cultural TfL Map is your key to finding more of London's family friendly hidden gems. This interactive map reveals more than 500 Time Out-recommended museums, galleries, street art and more, all within a short walk or bus ride of each station. Many of these experiences are free!

We know that affordable, convenient public transport is the key to accessing the best that London has to offer – and thanks to TfL’s affordable off-peak fares and other discounts across the network, the possibilities for adventure are wider than ever. Here, you'll find plenty more unexpected and exciting off-peak outings.

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