Best things to do in Bethnal Green
A centuries old bagel shop, an outrageous queer venue, and the Kray twin’s old haunts are just some of the things you can explore on the streets of Bethnal Green.
Huddled between Shoreditch and the rest of the East End, Bethnal Green blends old and new with a hefty fistful of good ol’ fashioned Cockney spirit.
Bethnal Green’s history harks back to the 13th Century. With its name likely translating from Anglo-Saxon to mean ‘happy corner’, it was once a peaceful marshland and forest until the 1500s.
The area steadily grew until the early 19th century when, over three decades, the population exploded, tripling in size and transforming the area into a cacophony of busy streets and a mish-mash of different waves of immigration.
This combination of influences are reflected in restaurants, bars and entertainment we have today.
So, if you fancy exploring a quintessential East End neighbourhood, sit back as we show you the spots that make Bethnal Green our happy corner.
Beigels on Brick Lane
Brick Lane may be best known for the multitude of competing curry houses, but at the other end of the famous street, there is a different food battle taking place; one between two Jewish beigel shops.
Beigel Bake and The Beigel Shop sit only a few doors apart on the Bethnal Green end of Brick Lane. Known commonly as “the yellow one” (The Beigel Shop) and “the white one” (Beigel Bake), the two shops are subject to passionate debate over which serves the best beigels.
Beigels (pronounced bi-gols) are Jewish bagels. You can sample them at either shop with a variety of fillings such as cream cheese, tuna, and perhaps the most popular salt beef with pickles and mustard.
While The Beigel Shop is over a century older, fans of Beigel Bake say that the white-fronted shop has stayed true to its roots, with the fillings on offer remaining fairly select and traditional. The Beigel Shop, on the other hand, has branched out, offering fillings as unusual as onion bhaji.
Which shop is better? The best way to find out is to try both.
York Hall Turkish Baths
The York Hall is a venue that is probably most closely associated with boxing with many of the UK’s greatest boxers having fought in the hall; however, the leisure centre also provides more relaxing activities in the spa.
York Hall is home to one of London’s last remaining Turkish Baths. Turkish Baths are associated with the Islamic World, and are based on the Roman model of baths. By booking to visit the Turkish Baths in York Hall, you can relax in a way that has been tried and tested over a thousand years.
The historic space and Turkish baths is also complemented by modern spa treatments such as massages and facial treatments. The spa is part of a deeply entrenched sauna culture in the East End spanning centuries, which has birthed a variety of saunas in the area.
The York Hall is something of a hidden gem, tucked away just off Cambridge Heath Road and a short five-minute walk from the tube station, meaning you won’t have to walk far before you embark on your relaxation journey.
Weaver’s Fields
If you have occasion to walk down Bethnal Green Road, you can take a greenspace detour by slipping down a side road and walking through Weaver’s Fields. The small park is a great space for outdoor games like football and is home to a sculpture called ‘Weaving Identities’. There is even an adventure playground to the side of the green space that’s recently turned 50.
Looking west as you walk across the park, you can also see great views of the City of London. A particularly lovely time to take a walk in the park is nearing sunset, when you can watch the light disappear from behind the silhouettes of the skyscrapers you see in the distance.
E. Pellicci’s Cafe
Pellicci’s has been a fixture of Bethnal Green Road for well over a century. Since 1900, the cafe has been run by the Pellicci family, serving traditional fry-ups in the morning, and filled rolls and homemade pasta dishes at lunchtime.
The diminutive cafe retains much of its original charm and was awarded Grade II listed status by English Heritage in 2005. On the wall, you will see framed photos of the original founders, Priamo and Elide Pellicci. When her husband Priamo died in 1930, Elide single-handedly raised seven children alongside running the cafe.
The E initial, which remains emblazoned on the Art Deco sign on the cafe front, represents her name. Her son, Nevio Snr., was born above the cafe and ran it until 2008. Today, his wife Maria heads up this family business.
The food at Pellicci’s has been enjoyed by some of Bethnal Green’s most famous (and infamous) residents. The Kray Twins used to frequent the cafe, and Reggie Kray described in his biography how, after years in prison, he would do anything for one last meal in Pellicci’s.
Young V&A and Museum Gardens
Since its establishment in 1872, Young V&A, previously known as the V&A Museum of Childhood, has been a great landmark of Bethnal Green. After three years of renovations, Young V&A re-opened in 2023 with three new galleries and a priority on accessibility. The museum specialises in objects by and for children, and houses over 30,000 childhood-related objects.
The museum sits just beyond Bethnal Green tube station and is bordered by Museum Gardens. Museum Gardens is a small but pretty park, perfect for a little detour on the way to the museum and perhaps enjoying a coffee while you watch one of the park’s resident squirrels climb the trees which line the park.
Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club
From the outside, Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club on Pollard Row looks like a typical institute of its kind; humble, traditional, and a watering hole of older men nursing pints of lager.
The only tell of its flamboyant personality is the yellow flower covering the side of the wall, which was painted by street artist Banksy.
While the club does provide a home for traditional working men’s customers, this clientele exists alongside a range of diverse and colourful entertainment that is more unexpected.
Entertainment on display at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club includes drag, cabaret and outrageous comedy. The club’s decor adds an enjoyable contrast to the flamboyant acts on display, retaining its traditional 80s style carpets and little round tables.
In June 2024, the club was served an eviction notice, inspiring fears the club would close for good. However, the club has battled on, smashing not one but two of their crowdfunding targets within weeks.
If you fancy a good night out as well as the chance to support an iconic queer venue, Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club is the place to go.
Bethnal Green Town Hall
Stray a bit further from the tube down Cambridge Heath Road and you will walk past Bethnal Green’s former town hall. The Edwardian building is not just a piece of history, but also an active hotel with a Michelin starred restaurants and a cocktail bar.
The building retains many of its beautiful original features. While you might not want to stay the night in the local five-star hotel, the cocktail bar would make a classy spot for a pre-dinner tipple.
The Carpenter’s Arms
Many places in East London claim a connection with the Kray twins, with some even stretching reality to snatch a piece of the twins glamorous gangster legacy.
The Carpenter’s Arms is the real deal. Owned by the Kray Twins themselves, it was bought by them in 1967 and was the site of parties and meetings for anyone clamouring to involve themselves in the East End criminal underworld. For the real true crime nerds, they may know the pub as the place Reggie had a drink to settle his jitters before murdering Jack McVitie.
Thankfully, you can now go for a pint without getting caught up with east London mobsters. Retaining a wood-panelled traditional decor, the pub is the picture of a classic watering hole and a homely spot for a pub lunch and pint – if you can choose just one of the many beers they offer.
Breid Bakers
Tucked under an arch in a railway bridge is Breid. Breid is a bakery shop that produces freshly made bread, along with pastries and other baked goods. The bread is handcrafted with organic ingredients onsite, which you can see the process of from the minute you walk in, with an open kitchen directly behind the checkout.
The shop, which is close to Bethnal Green Underground, also serves delicious coffee and pastries. Why not treat yourself before you hop on the train?
Stairway to Heaven Memorial
When you emerge from Bethnal Green tube station, it is hard to miss the striking memorial. The Stairway to Heaven memorial commemorates those who lost their lives in the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster in 1943. The disaster, which was the single biggest loss of civilian life during WW2, occurred when 170 people sheltering from an air raid were crushed on the stairs at Bethnal Green Tube station.
The names of those who lost their lives that night are emblazoned on the memorial, which sits at the edge of Bethnal Green Gardens, close to the tube entrance. The statue serves as a poignant reminder of the tragedy, and the benches which surround it allow people to reflect on the terrible incident as well as admire the striking memorial.