Everyone knows about the big stuff in Stratford, The London Stadium, The Orbit, and the shiny new museums. But the best Things to Do in Stratford This Bank Holiday aren’t the ones where you tick off the obvious attractions. They’re the ones where you stumble into something unexpected, find a corner of the city you didn’t know existed, and end up telling everyone about it for weeks.
Stratford and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park have layers. Peel back the headline venues, and there’s a whole network of hidden spots, quiet escapes and genuinely surprising places that most visitors walk straight past. This bank holiday, whether it’s 4th May or the spring bank holiday on 25th May – skip the queues and go exploring.
Here’s the local’s guide to the Stratford you haven’t discovered yet.
Three Mills Island: London’s Oldest Tidal Mill
If you told someone there’s an 18th-century tidal mill ten minutes’ walk from Stratford station, they wouldn’t believe you. But Three Mills Island is exactly that – a proper hidden gem tucked away on the River Lea, and one of the most atmospheric spots in East London.
The House Mill is the star, built in 1776; it’s the largest surviving tidal mill in the world. Not in Britain – in the world, and the foundations underneath date back to the 1380s. On Sundays from May to October, you can join guided tours at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm for £10 pounds per person, which includes a handmade guidebook and a hot drink. The tours take you through the original timber machinery and explain how the tides of the River Lea were harnessed to grind grain for gin distilleries. This part of East London was the gin capital of the country long before craft cocktails were a thing.
Next to the House Mill sits the Clock Mill – Grade II listed, beautiful, and now part of 3 Mills Studios, where films and TV shows have been made for decades. The whole island is surrounded by water and green space, with the Wild Kingdom play area (fallen trees, nets, ropes, giant stumps) keeping kids entertained while you drink coffee from the Miller’s House Cafe and wonder how you’ve never been here before.
Three Mills Green wraps around the island – a quiet, flat, picnic-perfect green space that feels a world away from the Stratford you see from the train. On a bank holiday, when the sun’s out and the mill tours are running, this is one of the best-kept secrets in London.
The Greenway: A Walk on Top of a Victorian Sewer
This one sounds strange, and that’s exactly what makes it brilliant.
The Greenway is a 7-kilometre footpath and cycleway that runs from Hackney all the way to Beckton, right through Stratford. It’s built on the embankment of Joseph Bazalgette’s Northern Outfall Sewer – the Victorian engineering marvel that saved London from cholera in the 1860s. You’re literally walking on top of one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in British history, and the views are spectacular.
From the Greenway, you get panoramic views across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London Stadium, the Orbit and the whole east London skyline. It’s elevated above street level, so the perspective is completely different from anything you’d see at ground level. Cyclists, joggers and walkers share the path, and the whole thing has been designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation since 2016 – butterflies, wildflowers and birdsong on what is, underneath the tarmac, a very large sewer.
The Greenway connects directly into the Olympic Park, so you can start a walk in Hackney Wick, follow the path south through Stratford, and finish at Draughts without ever needing to check a map. Or go the other way and end up at the Royal Docks.
And if you want to see where the Greenway leads, look out for Abbey Mills Pumping Station just north of Three Mills. Built in the 1860s and nicknamed the Cathedral of Sewage, it’s a genuinely jaw-dropping piece of Victorian architecture – Moorish towers, a Slavic dome and an interior that looks like a Byzantine church. It was built to pump sewage, which tells you everything you need to know about how seriously the Victorians took their infrastructure. Tours are available through Open House London and Thames Water, though they’re heavily oversubscribed – worth checking ahead if you’re interested.
The Line: A Free Art Trail You Can Walk From the Park
Here’s one that even most Londoners don’t know about. The Line is a free, open-air art trail that runs 7.7 kilometres from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park all the way to The O2 in Greenwich, following the waterways and the Greenwich Meridian line.
The route starts right here in Stratford and meanders south along the Lea Valley through Bromley-by-Bow, Canning Town and the Royal Victoria Docks. Along the way, you’ll find sculptures and installations by some of the biggest names in contemporary art – including works by Anthony Gormley and Tracey Emin. The whole thing is free, outdoor, and completely self-guided. Blue and red vinyl markers on the ground show you the way.
Walking the entire route takes about four hours, but you don’t have to do it all in one go. The Stratford section alone is a brilliant bank holiday wander – start in the park, follow the waterway south, and loop back to Draughts when you’re ready for food and games. You’ll see art you’d normally have to queue and pay for in a gallery, except here it’s sitting by the canal in the open air.
Check the-line.org for the current map and any new installations for 2026. They rotate pieces regularly, so even if you’ve walked it before, there’s usually something new.
Hackney Wick: The Creative Quarter Next Door
Hackney Wick sits right on the northern edge of the Olympic Park, connected by canal towpath and a short walk from Stratford. It’s technically a different neighbourhood, but it’s so close – and so good – that leaving it off a Stratford hidden gems list would be criminal.
This is one of the most concentrated creative quarters in Europe. Nearly 500 creative businesses are packed into the old warehouses and railway arches along the canal – painters, printmakers, ceramicists, fashion designers, photographers. The whole area has been a designated Creative Enterprise Zone since 2018, and despite constant pressure from redevelopment, the creative community keeps going.
On a bank holiday, the canal towpath comes alive. The Hackney Wick side of the canal is covered in street art that changes constantly – some of it rival quality to what you’d see in Leake Street at our Waterloo venue.
The Nunnery Gallery, run by Bow Arts Trust, is just down the road on Bow Road and shows emerging East London artists in a converted Victorian building. It’s free, it’s intimate, and it’s the kind of gallery where you can actually talk to people about the work without feeling intimidated.
Walk the canal from Hackney Wick to the Olympic Park, and you’ll pass houseboats, wildflowers, industrial architecture and some of the best waterside atmosphere in London. It’s a 20-minute stroll to Draughts from the heart of Hackney Wick – perfect for a morning exploring followed by an afternoon of games.
Tumbling Bay and Timber Lodge: The Park’s Quiet Side
Most visitors to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park head south – towards the stadium, the Orbit, the big venues. But the north of the park is where the magic is, and it’s almost always quieter.
Tumbling Bay Playground is, without exaggeration, one of the best playgrounds in London. Forget metal climbing frames and rubber matting – this is an adventure playscape with rock pools, sand pits, tall treehouses, wobbly bridges and water play features designed to mirror the flow of the nearby River Lea. It’s open 24 hours, completely free, and surrounded by mature trees and parkland that make it feel like a secret forest clearing rather than a playground in Zone 2.
Right next to Tumbling Bay sits Timber Lodge – a community cafe built from cross-laminated timber that blends into the landscape so well you might miss it. Open daily from 9.30am to 5pm, it serves proper coffee, freshly baked pastries, deli sandwiches and cakes. There’s a garden, it’s family-friendly, and on a bank holiday morning when the sun’s out, there’s nowhere better to sit with a flat white and watch the kids lose themselves in the playground.
Timber Lodge has been a community hub since 2013, hosting workshops, events and local gatherings. It’s the kind of place that makes you realise the Olympic Park isn’t just a collection of venues – it’s an actual neighbourhood with an actual community. And it’s about a ten-minute walk from Draughts.
The Hidden Gardens
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has three distinct garden areas that most visitors walk straight past on their way to something bigger. On a bank holiday, they’re worth seeking out.
The Great British Garden is a 1,000 square metre space designed by Sarah Price, inspired by a public competition run with the Royal Horticultural Society. It’s full of ornamental grasses, woodland plants and a wildlife pond – a genuinely peaceful spot for a picnic when the rest of the park is buzzing.
Mandeville Place is even more obscure. It’s a small orchard planted to celebrate the 2012 Paralympic Games, featuring apple and fruit trees – including Paradice Gold, a brand-new variety bred specifically for the park. The name combines “Paralympic” with the first letter of each Paralympic value. There’s a pavilion made from the original Athletes’ Village Paralympic Wall. Most people have no idea it exists.
Between these gardens and the broader South Park Plaza, there’s a network of planted spaces, sculptural pieces and quiet corners that reward wandering. Bring a blanket. Find a spot. Stay for a while.
Canal Boat Tours on the River Lea
If you want to see Stratford and the park from a completely different angle, get on the water. Canal and river boat tours depart from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park pontoon at Stratford Waterfront and cruise along the old River Lea, the Lee Navigation and St Thomas Creek before looping back through the City Mill River with views of the Stadium and the Orbit from the water.
It’s a perspective most visitors never get, and it’s surprisingly relaxing. The waterways around the park have been restored since 2012 and are now teeming with wildlife – herons, coots, cormorants, and the occasional kingfisher if you’re lucky. The boats are small, and the tours are intimate. Check local operators for bank holiday availability – they do sell out.
The View Tube: Shipping Containers With the Best Views in East London
Perched right on the Greenway next to London Stadium, The View Tube is a community venue built from recycled shipping containers – painted lime green, impossible to miss once you know where to look, invisible if you don’t.
Inside there’s a cafe, a cycling shop, bike hire, maker studios and a garden. The terrace has panoramic views across the Olympic Park that rival anything you’d pay to see from the Orbit.
The View Tube is open seven days a week and is a brilliant starting point for a Greenway walk or a cycle around the park. Hire a bike here, ride through the park, lock up at Draughts, and you’ve had one of the best bank holiday mornings in London without spending much at all.
Bring It All Together at Draughts
Here’s the thing about hidden gems – they’re brilliant for exploring, but eventually you need somewhere to land. Somewhere with food, drinks, comfortable seats and a great way to spend quality time together. Draughts is right here in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at 5 Aquatics Walk, down by the canal, a short walk from every single spot on this list.
We’re a bar, board game kitchen and lounge with over 1,000 games, a freshly made food menu, with burgers, tacos, nachos, sharers and more, as well as craft ales, a curated cocktail menu and a wide range of no and low options. Whether you’ve spent the morning at Three Mills, the afternoon walking The Line, or you’ve just cycled the Greenway and need somewhere to refuel, Draughts is where you want to end up.
On a bank holiday, we’re the place where groups of friends, families and couples come to eat, drink, play and enjoy each other’s company. We have got every board game you could ever think of and more, all in great playing condition and our staff are on hand to recommend the perfect choice – just tell them your group size and how competitive you’re feeling. We’ve even got a small but eclectic shop area so you can buy gifts with a difference or take your favourite tabletop games home with you.
Book your bank holiday table at draughtslondon.com – we get busy on long weekends, especially when the weather’s good, and the park is full. Don’t leave it to chance.
Practical Tips
- Three Mills Island is a 10-minute walk from Stratford station or Bromley-by-Bow station. House Mill tours run Sundays from May to October.
- The Greenway can be accessed from multiple points including Hackney Wick, Stratford and Pudding Mill Lane DLR.
- Hackney Wick has its own Overground station, or walk from the Olympic Park via the canal towpath in about 20 minutes.
- Tumbling Bay and Timber Lodge are in the north of the park – follow signs from the Velodrome or enter via Eastway.
- The Line art trail starts at the Olympic Park and runs south. Download the map from the-line.org before you go.
- The View Tube is on the Greenway, next to London Stadium. Follow Greenway signs from Pudding Mill Lane DLR.
- Draughts Stratford is at 5 Aquatics Walk, inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2AS. Book at draughtslondon.com.
Frequently Asked Questions about Things to Do in Stratford This Bank Holiday
What are the hidden gems in Stratford London?
Stratford is full of lesser-known spots beyond the headline venues. Three Mills Island has the world’s oldest surviving tidal mill (built 1776) with Sunday tours. The Greenway is a 7km walking and cycling path with panoramic views across the Olympic Park. Hackney Wick’s creative quarter has nearly 500 creative businesses, canalside breweries and street art. The Line is a free 7.7km art trail from the Olympic Park to The O2. And Draughts at 5 Aquatics Walk is a bar, board game kitchen and lounge with over 1,000 games.
What are the best things to do in Stratford this bank holiday?
For something different from the usual tourist trail, explore Stratford’s hidden side. Visit Three Mills Island and the House Mill, walk the Greenway for panoramic views, discover the art on The Line sculpture trail, explore Hackney Wick’s creative quarter, then finish at Draughts for board games, food and drinks inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The 2026 May bank holidays are Monday 4 May and Monday 25 May.
What is Three Mills Island in Stratford?
Three Mills Island is a historic site on the River Lea, about 10 minutes’ walk from Stratford station. The House Mill, built in 1776, is the world’s largest surviving tidal mill. Guided tours run on Sundays from May to October at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm, costing 10 pounds per person. The island also has Three Mills Green, the Wild Kingdom play area and the Miller’s House Cafe.
What is The Line art trail in east London?
The Line is a free, self-guided public art trail running 7.7 kilometres from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to The O2 in Greenwich. The route follows the waterways and the Greenwich Meridian, featuring sculptures and installations by artists including Anthony Gormley and Tracey Emin. Walking the full route takes about four hours, but you can explore individual sections. Check the-line.org for the current route map.
What is the Greenway in Stratford?
The Greenway is a 7-kilometre footpath and cycleway built on the embankment of Joseph Bazalgette’s Northern Outfall Sewer, the Victorian engineering project that transformed London’s sanitation in the 1860s. The elevated path runs from Hackney to Beckton through Stratford, offering panoramic views of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London Stadium and the east London skyline. It’s been a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation since 2016.
Is Hackney Wick near Stratford?
Yes – Hackney Wick sits on the northern edge of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and is connected to Stratford by canal towpath (about a 20-minute walk). It has its own Overground station. The area is a designated Creative Enterprise Zone with nearly 500 creative businesses, canalside breweries and restaurants, street art and independent galleries.
Where to eat near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on a bank holiday?
Draughts at 5 Aquatics Walk is right inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a bar, board game kitchen and lounge with a full food menu, a well-stocked bar and over 1,000 board games. Timber Lodge cafe in the north of the park serves coffee and light bites. The View Tube on the Greenway has a cafe with panoramic views. And Hackney Wick, a 20-minute walk along the canal, has canalside restaurants and breweries.
What are free things to do in Stratford this bank holiday?
Walking The Line art trail is completely free. The Greenway footpath and cycleway is free. Three Mills Green and the island grounds are free to explore (mill tours are 10 pounds). Tumbling Bay playground is free. The hidden gardens in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – Great British Garden, Mandeville Place – are free. Hackney Wick’s street art and canal towpath are free. And The View Tube cafe is free to visit.
What is Abbey Mills Pumping Station?
Abbey Mills Pumping Station, built between 1865 and 1868 by Joseph Bazalgette, is a Grade II listed Victorian sewage pumping station near Three Mills Island. Nicknamed the Cathedral of Sewage, it features Moorish towers, a Slavic dome and a Byzantine-style interior. It’s still an operational Thames Water facility. Tours are occasionally available through Open House London and Thames Water, but are heavily oversubscribed.
Can I cycle around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park?
Yes. The park has a network of cycling routes, and you can hire bikes from The View Tube on the Greenway right next to London Stadium. Lee Valley VeloPark inside the park offers pay-and-ride sessions on its road circuit for 7.25 pounds per person, plus track cycling taster sessions on the Olympic velodrome. The Greenway also connects the park to a wider cycling network stretching from Hackney to Beckton.
What are the 2026 May bank holiday dates?
Monday 4 May (early May bank holiday) and Monday 25 May (spring bank holiday). Both give you a three-day weekend. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and all the hidden gems listed in this guide are open on bank holidays. Book Draughts at draughtslondon.com – bank holidays are some of our busiest days.
Is Draughts good for a bank holiday in Stratford?
It’s one of the best bank holiday activities in East London. Over 1,000 board games, a full food menu, proper drinks, and the kind of atmosphere where three hours vanish and nobody minds. We’re at 5 Aquatics Walk, right inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a short walk from Stratford station (Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth Line, DLR, National Rail). Book ahead at draughtslondon.com, especially for bank holidays.
