victoria park feature image

Visit Victoria Park East London This Summer

It was a glorious bank holiday, so we visited Victoria Park in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, East London. It’s an impressive park that spans 213 acres and dates back to 1845. Victoria Park has remarkable highlights, including a pagoda, bandstand, lakes, gardens, statues, outdoor sporting facilities, children’s play areas and cafes. If you’re looking for the best London parks to explore, things to do in East London during the summer or a free day out with the kids, visit Victoria Park.

victoria park chinese pagoda

Victoria Park Highlights

victoria park regents canal entrance

The park is split into two (East and West) because Grove Road runs through it. Access the west side via the Victoria Park Canal Gate off Regent’s Canal or the Victoria Park Gates on Gore Road.

dogs of alcibiades victoria park

Look out for the two Dogs of Alcibiades statues that guard the Bonner Street entrance of the park next to Regents Canal. These marble sculptures of Molossian Hounds were given to the park by Lady Aignarth in 1912.

victoria park market

The Victoria Park Market is on Sundays from 10 am until 4 pm selling food to take home or eat in the park. Take your pick of seasonal fruit and veg, organic meat, freshly baked bread, small batch cakes, artisan cheeses, flowers, ice cream, natural wine, craft beer and street food. I’ve been to the market and it’s excellent so make sure you visit soon.

victoria park pagoda

I love the Chinese Pagoda, a replica (2010) of the original (1842) from the Hyde Park Chinese Exhibition. It stands on a reinstated island with a bridge that echoes the same design and colour as the park’s architect Sir James Pennethorne’s initial creation.

victoria park west lake sculptures
At the West Lake, you’ll notice the Bird and Skyscraper sculptures by Erno Bartha commissioned by the Romanian Cultural Institute as part of the Cultural Olympiad (cultural activities across London in 2021 for the London Olympics). The sculptures are made from hay with reinforced steel frames, and the birds love them! They are neatly positioned, with the fountain taking centre stage.

victoria park west lake ducks
By the edge of the West Lake are ducks waddling around, looking to be fed with some bread and posing for pictures!

victoria park boating
If you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to rent a boat and row across the lake with your friends or kids.

victoria lake pavilion cafe

Look across the lake, and you’ll spot the Pavilion Café, which serves lunch from 11 am until 3 pm. On the day we visited, a Sri Lankan Breakfast, English asparagus and goats cheese omelette and grilled kimchi cheese were on the menu.

cold drinks at victoria park

We stopped at this cafe for cold drinks while we admired the lake. They have toilets nearby although the queue was very long and I had to wait around twenty minutes!

victoria park east playground

If you have children with you, they may like the V&A playground is next to Grove Road. However, if you cross over to the park’s east side, the main playground is outstanding and worth a visit.

victoria park hub cafe

The large playground is next to the Hub Café, which serves huevos rancheros, BLTs and more.

victoria park fountain

The east side of the park has some exceptional features, including the Grade II* listed Burdett-Coutts drinking fountain named after Angela Burdett-Coutts, a Victorian Philanthropist.

victoria park band stand

Check out the Victoria bandstand, which is close to the fountain.

victoria park english garden

My favourite part of the east side park is the old English Garden brimming with delicate flowers in pretty colours.

victoria park orchard

The Victorian Park orchard is tranquil and less crowded.

victoria park east lake

The East Lake is worth viewing while you are in this part of the park.

sports fields victoria park

The amenities include a football pitch, cricket pitch, race track, skate park, and tennis courts if you’re into sports.

map of victoria park

These are just some of the highlights from Victoria Park. At the entrance, locate a park map and take a picture on your phone as a guide. Enjoy your visit!

Victoria Park Information

Please visit the Victoria Park Website and the Wikipedia Page to find out more information. The address is Grove Road, London E3 5TB, although you can access it via various gates. Cambridge Heath, Bethnal Green, London Fields, and Hackney Wick stations are within walking distance. Please check the official website for opening and closing times. While you are in the area, you may want to read some of my previous posts about other things to do in the vicinity:

Eat At Victoria Park Market On Sundays

Ten Things To Do In Victoria Park Village Hackney

Regent’s Canal Walk

Aldgate to Limehouse Basin Walk

il parco italian restaurant near victoria park

Before heading home, we ate pizza and tricolour salad at El Parco, 136 Lauriston Rd, London E9 7LH. You’ll find this restaurant in an area called Victoria Park Village. I’ve also eaten at My Neighbours The Dumplings and the Fish House which I can recommend.

Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.