Stepney Area Guide

Table of contents

• History of Stepney
• Getting Around Stepney
• Homes & Market Trends
• Local Life
• Open Spaces
• Arts and Recreation
• Entertainment and Attractions
• Shopping in Stepney
• Eating & Drinking
• Nightlife in Stepney
• Schools in Stepney
• Local Authority
• Fun fact About Stepney

Stepney Green is an East End neighbourhood with a farm of its own in central London. Stépney Green also has a strong feeling of community and top quality public schools.

The neighbouring Mile End and Bethnal Green are easily reached by residents there. And in the neighbourhood itself, there are a range of things to do like flower stores and legendary pastries for sampling.

History of Stepney

The Stepney region has since been heavily destroyed by the blitz in the 1940’s. Stepney is on the verge of change, and often called a fruitful soil for savvy investors. 

Over the course of the ages this East London area has been moulded by migrant waves: France, Ireland, Eastern Europe and Bangladesh, most recently. During the war a third of Stepney was devastated while German bombers were going to the docks, and the tower blocks in the Sixties were erected in the terrace streets.

Getting Around Stepney

Stepney is next to Bethnal Green on its north, Shadwell on its south, Whitechapel on its west and finally Limehouse on its east.

Stepney Green has the Mile End and Whitechapel tube stations which are very accessible. Limehouse DLR station is also close by.

The City is 2.2 miles away: 25 minutes by car, 25 minutes by bus, 15 minutes by bike

Canary Wharf is 1.7 miles away: 10 minutes by car, 20 minutes by bus, 10 minutes by bike

Southwark is 2.8 miles away: 30 minutes by car,  35 minutes by bus, 20 minutes by bike

Westminster is 4.9 miles away: 55 minutes by car,  30 minutes by bus, 35 minutes by bike

Shoreditch is 2.6 miles away: 20 minutes by car, 30 minutes by bus, 15 minutes by bike

Homes & Market Trends

Many original period properties remain in Arbour Square, both Georgian and Victorian terraces. Currently in Stepney, old buildings and properties are being converted into high-end luxury new builds. Luckily for Stepney residents, the local property is still affordable and a good value for many.

On the nicer streets, homes are built in Victorian and Georgian architecture with terraces included. Properties with architecture from the 17th-18th century are in high demand in this area. Other properties tend to be large apartment buildings, many of which are new builds. Overall, there is a good mix of different property types and styles. 

A one bedroom apartment/flat starts somewhere between £1,000-£2,000. Two-bedroom apartments/flat average around £1,800, and three-bedrooms are in the £3,000 budget.

Local Life

There are over 15,000 residents in Stepney. Residents tend to be 30-40’s and rent more than they buy. Young professionals who work in the City or Docklands typically live in this area. Because of the affordable prices and great proximity to popular areas, you’ll see families and young couples here as well! Again, Stepney is a quaint and quiet area.

Residents can agree there’s a strong community in the area. Residents enjoy its proximity to transport links and nearby towns, as well as its affordable homes. 

Open Spaces

The Thames River Way is an interesting trek close to the region. There are also other areas within walking distance, like Shandy Park, Stepney Green Park and Mile End Park. which promotes a strong feeling of community and a welcoming multicultural neighbourhood.

Mile End Park is 79 acres established on industrial lands helping build East London, among the largest parks in the city. It was born in the aftermath of World War II and grew as part of a system to link the green area with the Thames river. The centre, along its ecological building, the Green Bridge, Terraced Garden and more, provides numerous attractions from its playground, its enormous sandpits, public art galleries and the environment. It’s really one of London’s most attractive and attractive spots to visit.

Stepney City Farm is where local families taste the countryside, buy agricultural products and visit the farmers’ market on Saturday. This urban oasis built on a bombsite that had been neglected in the 1970s was three acres of entertainment, fur and animal attractiveness. We adore working with children on this farm for a day out, lunch, a leisurely walk or a precious café at the hotel. The preservation of city children with nature is in itself an important reason, while the Rural Arts Center shows less and less used crafts. Truly a beautiful place to spend a summer’s day.

Arts and Recreation

Mile End Road’s Genesis Cinema is a cinematic art house presenting first-released and independent films in a refurbished structure from the 19th century. If you live in Stepney Green, our local community picture house offers a mix of the blockbuster favourites and art house classics.

Visitors can experience life in a charity school from the 19th-century at the Ragged school museum on Copperfield Road.

The Book Museum is a museum dedicated to the Bible itself, found at the London Baptist Church. There are a lot of old Bibles, christian manuscripts and other biblical relics and artworks in the museum’s collection. The museum, which is part of the church, is available during church services but can be visited free outside of service times. 

The Half Moon Theatrical Company was established in 1972 and is one of London’s leading youth theatrical groups. Theater offers some of the lowest tickets in the city at £7 each, in line with its objective of introducing the arts to children. Check the timetable and choose a show that suits your needs the most.

In Queen Mary University of London a science museum like no other, the Centr of the Cell, aims to enrich young scientists and  train the future generation of biomedical scientists. In addition to learning through exhibitions, visitors have the opportunity to see cancer researchers. 

One of the most interesting museums in the city is the Royal London Hospital, which not only stands within a church crypt but also displays the legendary figures, such as Elephant Man and Jack the Ripper. The focus of the museum is on the history of the hospital since founding in 1740 but also on the subject of forensic medicine focusing on some of the best-known murders in the city.

Entertainment and Attractions

The Arbour Square Police Station and the East End Mission Building have seen some of the most notable changes and renovations. The Anchor Brewery, on the other hand, is a well-known local landmark, as is St Dunstan’s Church, which has stood since 923 and served as the area’s original focal point.

The church is the oldest in the East End, surrounded by the greenery of its churchyard and roads of pretty, flat-fronted early Victorian houses built by The Mercers’ Company, a leading City livery company. Sailors and sea captains can take a break here.

With its foundation dating back to the 10th century, this beautiful church has been a part of the Stepney backdrop for over 1,000 years. This is the “mother church of London’s East End,” whether you’re visiting for quiet reflection or historical interest.

Stepney City Farm, one of the few farms in the capital, is a great place to meet some furry friends. Sheep, goats, chickens, and donkeys are likely to be seen. A gallery and the Rural Arts Centre are also available to visit.

Also, get ready for a rainbow of colours at the Columbia Road Flower Market. It’s open every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features more than 60 independent flower shops selling bright, colourful blooms.

Lastly, The Kray Twins Gangster Walking Tour. East London gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray were legends in British organised crime. The Kray Twins Gangster Walking Tour is a two-hour journey through the brothers’ rise and fall, starting at the boxing school where their careers began and ending at the church where their funerals were held.

Shopping in Stepney

Stepney is better known for its markets than its shops: Petticoat Lane, Spitalfields, and Brick Lane. Along Mile End Road, there is a new retail park.

Stepney is bordered by the bustling shopping districts of Mile End Road and Commercial Road, where residents can shop at markets, independent and chain stores. The East End Thrift Store, formerly Stepney’s best kept secret, is a vintage treasure trove with most items priced under £10 and is now popular with more than just hipsters.

A number of farmers’ and flower markets can also be found in the area. Local families can get a taste of the countryside, buy farm produce, and visit the Saturday farmers’ market at Stepney City Farm. Stepney Green Farm is not only a beautiful place to visit, but it also has a thriving market selling fresh local produce like fruit, vegetables, cheeses, oils, and cakes. A stall selling textiles, pottery, and hand carvings is set up by rural artists who work at the farm’s art centre. Get a good deal and eat some organic foods.

Visit Columbia Road Flower Market on Sundays for a wide variety of beautiful, colourful flowers.

Eating & Drinking

Anchor Retail Park, on the site of the former Anchor brewery in Mile End Road, has Asda, Currys PC World, and Halfords stores.

There’s a bustling street market along Mile End Road’s wide pavements, as well as signs that café society is finally making its way into the area, with Foxcroft & Ginger, an all-day café and bakery in the former Wickham’s department store, popular with desktop workers; a branch of Soho House’s Chicken Shop and Dirty Burger, plus vegan and vegetarian restaurant 90 Degree Melt.

Verdi’s Restaurant: This is an Italian restaurant with a branch of the Turkish chain Efes that specialises in Emilia-Romagna cuisine. Rinkoff Bakery on Jubilee Street is a long-running Jewish bakery that began in 1911 and now specialises in crodoughs, which are a cross between a croissant and a doughnut.

Tayyabs is a popular Indian restaurant on Fieldgate Street, and Watney Market, off Commercial Road, is another street market.

Stepney City Farm, which opened to the public in 1979, has allowed locals to interact with the previously unfamiliar rural and agricultural lifestyle. The city farm not only displays a cute and furry array of farmyard animals, but it also sells freshly produced eggs, milk, and vegetables.

Sweet: This dessert cafe has candy, milkshakes, coffee, and a wide array of gelato flavours.

Rinkoff Bakery: Okay, so Rinkoff Bakery isn’t exactly a restaurant, but it’s a Stepney Green institution that dates back to 1911. Oh, and it serves up some delectable delicacies. Make sure to try the crodough, which is a Rinkoff specialty and the best in London.

If you can’t decide between Thai food and a traditional English pie, combine the two. Thai n Pie serves traditional Thai dishes alongside English pies, resulting in one of London’s most intriguing fusions.
The Pride of Asia lives up to its name, serving cutting-edge Indian cuisine and a fantastic buffet with full-bodied aromas that will leave you wanting more.

Nightlife in Stepney

There are several restaurants in the area, but the area is best known for its pubs, the most famous of which are The Prospect of Whitby and the Dickens Inn.

Mile End Road, the town’s main thoroughfare, has a number of highly rated restaurants, and there are pubs strewn throughout the area. The Carlton Arms is one of our favourite pubs in the area. This place, which is primarily a sports pub, has a raucous yet welcoming atmosphere.

Troxy: If you like art deco, Troxy is the place to go in Stepney for music, club nights, comedy, and live entertainment. This venue, which has been entertaining the masses since 1932, has hosted acts such as London Grammar, Nick Cave, and Robbie Williams. It’s well worth a visit as a Grade II listed structure.
The Blind Beggar Bar: This bar is steeped in history. It’s one of the stops on Stepney’s walking tour where criminal pinhead Ronnie Kray murdered George Cornwell, a rivaling gang.

Schools in Stepney

The Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design, the Cass Business School, Sir John Cass’s Foundation and Red Coat School are top-performing schools in Stepney.

Mile End Road is home to Queen Mary University of London, and many students choose to live within walking distance, making Stepney a popular area for students and young professionals looking to rent.

Ofsted has given all of Stepney’s state schools a “good” or “outstanding” rating.

Primary 

Stephen Hawking, Sir William Burrough, and Smithy Street are recognised by Ofsted as “outstanding” primary schools.

Comprehensive

Sir John Cass’s Foundation and Red Coat CofE and Bishop Challoner RC in Commercial Road are recognised as “outstanding” by Ofsted. Bishop Challoner RC in Commercial Road and Stepney Green Maths, Computing and Science College in Ben Jonson Road are both rated “good.”

Private

In the city, there are two top-performing academic private schools: City of London School for Boys and City of London School for Girls.

Local Authority

Stepney falls under the local council of Tower Hamlets.

Fun fact About Stepney

Ever heard of Thomas the Tank Engine? Well, there’s a tank engine named after Stepney in The Railway Series.