Editing Stratford, London

{{Short description|Town in London, England}}
{{Other uses|Stratford (disambiguation){{!}}Stratford}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name            = Stratford
| region                   = London
| country                  = England
| london_borough           = Newham
| constituency_westminster = [[Stratford and Bow (UK Parliament constituency)|Stratford and Bow]]
| post_town                = LONDON
| postcode_area            = E
| postcode_district        = E15, E20
| dial_code                = 020
| os_grid_reference        = TQ385845
| coordinates              = {{coord|51.5423|-0.00256|display=inline,title}}
| population               = 36,666
| population_ref           = (2019 estimate, Stratford and New Town ward)
| charingX_distance_mi     = 6
| charingX_direction       = WSW
| static_image_name        = HE1080991 Old Town Hall Stratford (1).jpg
| static_image_caption     = [[Stratford Town Hall]], Stratford
}}
'''Stratford''' is a town and district of [[West Ham]], [[East London]], England, in the [[London Borough of Newham]]. Part of the [[Lower Lea Valley]], it is {{convert|6|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} northeast of [[Charing Cross]], and includes [[Maryland, London|Maryland]] and [[East Village, London|East Village]].

[[Historic Counties of England|Historically]] an ancient parish in the [[Becontree Hundred|hundred of Becontree]] in [[Essex]], following the [[London Government Act 1963|reform of local government in London]] in 1965 it became part of the borough of Newham in the newly formed Greater London.

Stratford grew rapidly in the 19th century after the railway came to the area in 1839, forming part of the [[conurbation]] of [[London]], similar to much of south-west Essex. The late 20th century was a period of severe economic decline in the area, eventually reversed by ongoing [[Urban renewal|regeneration]] associated with the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], for which Stratford's [[Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park]], part of the large, multi-purpose [[Stratford City]] development, was the principal venue. The [[Westfield Stratford City]] shopping centre, one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe, opened in 2011. Stratford is east London's primary retail, cultural and leisure centre, and has also become the second most significant business location in east London after [[Canary Wharf]].

==History==
Stratford's early significance was due to a [[Roman road]] (later known as the ''Great Essex Road'') running from [[Aldgate]] in the [[City of London|City]], across the [[River Lea]], to [[Romford]], [[Chelmsford]] and [[Colchester]]. At that time the various branches of the river were tidal and without channels,{{clarify|date=February 2025}} while the marshes surrounding them had yet to be drained. The [[Lea Valley]] formed a natural boundary between [[Essex]] on the eastern bank and [[Middlesex]] on the west, and was a formidable obstacle to overland trade and travel.

===Original ford and place name origin===
The name is first recorded in 1067 as Strætforda and means '[[Ford (crossing)|ford]] on a Roman road'.<ref name="Mills">{{ cite book |last=Mills |first=D. |title=Oxford Dictionary of London Place Names |year=2000 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> It is formed from Old English 'stræt' (in modern English 'street') and 'ford'.{{sfn|Weinreb|Hibbert|Keay|Keay|2008|p=884}} [[Old Ford#Location of the ford|The former river crossing lay at an uncertain location north of Stratford High Street]].

The district of [[Old Ford]] in northern [[Bow, London|Bow]] – west of the Lea – is named after the former crossing, while Bow itself was also initially named Stratford, after the same ford, and a variety of suffixes were used to distinguish the two distinct settlements, including Stratford-le-Bow.<ref name="Mills"/>
 
The settlement to the east of the Lea was also known as ''Estratford'' (recorded in 1291), referring to the location east of the other Stratford, ''Statford Hamme'' (recorded in 1312) alluding to the location within the parish of West Ham, ''Abbei Stratford'', referring to the presence of [[Stratford Langthorne Abbey]],<ref name="Mills"/> and ''Stretford Langthorne'' (recorded in 1366) after a distinctive thorn tree (possibly a pollarded [[Crataegus monogyna|Hawthorn]]) which stood in the area. The thorn tree itself, was mentioned much earlier, in a charter of the [[London Borough of Newham#Manor of Ham|Manor of Ham]], in 958 AD. The tree is thought to have stood in the vicinity of the modern Channel Sea rail junction, around 200 metres north-north-west of the [[London Aquatics Centre]].<ref>The Place Names of Essex, P.H. Reaney, English Place-name Society Volume 12, Cambridge University Press, p 97</ref>

===Bow Bridge===
In 1110 [[Matilda of Scotland|Matilda]], wife of [[Henry I of England|Henry I]], ordered a [[Bow Bridge (London)|distinctively bow-shaped (arched)]] bridge to be built over the River Lea, together with a [[causeway]] across the marshes along the line now occupied by Stratford High Street.{{sfn|Weinreb|Hibbert|Keay|Keay|2008|p=884}} Reports state she (or her retinue) encountered problems crossing the river to get to [[Barking Abbey]].

The western Stratford then become suffixed by "-atte-Bow" (at the Bow), eventually became known simply as [[Bow, London|Bow]], while over time the eastern Stratford lost its "Langthorne" suffix.
 
[[File:ECR(1851) p18b - Bow Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Bow Bridge depicted in 1851]]

The bridge was repaired and upgraded many times over the centuries until eventually demolished and replaced in the 19th century.

===Stratford Langthorne Abbey===
In 1135 the [[Cistercians|Cistercian]] Order founded [[Stratford Langthorne Abbey]], also known as West Ham Abbey. This became one of the largest and most wealthy monasteries in England, owning {{convert|1500|acres|abbr=off}} in the immediate area and 20 manors throughout Essex.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=42760  ''West Ham: Stratford Abbey'', A History of the County of Essex: Volume 6 (1973), pp. 112–14] Date accessed: 28 April 2008</ref>

The Abbey lay between the [[Channelsea River]] and Marsh Lane (Manor Road). Nothing visible remains on the site, as after it dissolution by Henry VIII in 1538, local landowners took away much of the stone for their own buildings and the land was subsequently urbanised.{{sfn|Weinreb|Hibbert|Keay|Keay|2008|p=884}}

A stone window and a carving featuring skulls – thought to have been over the door to the charnel house – remain in [[All Saints Church, West Ham]] (dating from about 1180). The Great Gate of the abbey survived in Baker's Row until 1825.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol6/pp112-114 |title=A History of the County of Essex: Volume 6. West Ham: Stratford Abbey, pages 112–114) |editor-last1=Powell |editor-first1=W R   |website=www.british-history.ac.uk |publisher=British History Online  |access-date=8 November 2015 }}</ref>

[[File:West Ham arms.png|thumb|upright|Arms of the [[County Borough of West Ham]]]]

The doorway to the Old Court House, in Tramway Avenue (Stratford), displays the Abbey's coat of arms. The chevrons from this device, originally from the arms of the Mountfitchet family, together with an abbot's [[crozier]] were incorporated into the arms of the former [[County Borough of West Ham]] in 1887. The new [[London Borough of Newham]] adopted the same arms in 1965.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/great_london.html#newham_lb |title=NEWHAM, LONDON BOROUGH OF |website=www.civicheraldry.co.uk |publisher= Civic Heraldry of England and Wales |access-date=8 November 2015 }}</ref>

===Industrialisation===
The industrialisation of Stratford started slowly and accelerated rapidly in the early Victorian era.
[[File:2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony (18).jpg|thumb|London 2012 Opening Ceremony – Stratford's historically agrarian economy]]
[[File:London 2012 olympics industrial revolution.jpg|thumb|London 2012 Opening Ceremony – Industrial Revolution]]

The Stratford and national experience of the [[Industrial Revolution]] inspired scenes in the [[2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony|2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony]] covering the traumatic transition from a 'Green and Pleasant Land' to the 'Pandemonium' of the revolution and the huge social and economic changes it brought. The level of industrialisation experienced by the parish and borough of West Ham led to it becoming known as the ''Factory centre of the south of England''.<ref>Brewers Dictionary of London Phrase and Fable, Russ Willey, Chambers 2009</ref> Stratford was the base the greatest concentration of manufacturing activity within West Ham.

====Pre-industrial economy====
Stratford was originally an agricultural community, whose proximity to London provided a ready market for its produce. By the 18th century, the area around Stratford was noted for potato growing, a business that continued into the mid-1800s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol5/pp2-9|title=Metropolitan Essex since 1850: Population growth and the built-up area {{pipe}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> Stratford also became a desirable country retreat for wealthy [[merchant]]s and financiers, within an easy ride of the [[City of London|City]]. When [[Daniel Defoe]] visited Stratford in 1722, he reported it had "...increased in buildings to a strange degree, within the compass of about 20 or 30 years past at the most". He continues that "...this increase is, generally speaking, of hansom large houses... being chiefly for the habitations of the richest citizens, such as either are able to keep two houses, one in the country, and one in the city; or for such citizens as being rich, and having left off trade, live altogether in these neighbouring villages, for the pleasure and health of the latter part of their days".<ref>Defoe, Daniel (1722), [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/Defoe/2 ''A tour thro' the whole island of Great Britain, divided into circuits or journies'' (Volume I, Letter I)]</ref>

====Early developments====
An early industrial undertaking at Stratford was the [[Bow porcelain factory]], which despite the name, was on the Essex side of the River Lea. Using a process that was patented in 1744, [[Edward Heylin]] and [[Thomas Frye]] operated a factory near Bow Bridge called "New Canton" to produce some of the first [[soft-paste porcelain]] to be made in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol2/pp146-150|title=Industries: Pottery, Bow porcelain {{pipe}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> The site of the factory was to the north of Stratford High Street near the modern Bow Flyover; it was the subject of [[Excavation (archaeology)|archaeological excavation]]s in 1921 and 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newhamstory.com/node/1793|title=Bow Porcelain – 34 – The Newham Story|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316203451/http://newhamstory.com/node/1793|archive-date=16 March 2013}}</ref>

====Victorian acceleration====
The Victorian era saw growth hugely accelerated by three major factors: the [[Metropolitan Buildings Act 1844]], the arrival of the railway and the creation of the nearby [[Royal Docks]].

Rapid growth followed the Metropolitan Buildings Act 1844, which restricted dangerous and noxious industries from operating in the metropolitan area, the eastern boundary of which was the [[River Lea]]. Consequently, many of these activities were relocated to the banks of the river, and West Ham became one of Victorian Britain's major manufacturing centres for pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and processed foods. This rapid growth earned it the name "London over the border".<ref name=charter>{{cite news |title=The Incorporation of West Ham |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=1 November 1886 |page=12 }}</ref> The growth of the town was summarised by ''[[The Times]]'' in 1886:

<blockquote>''"Factory after factory was erected on the marshy wastes of Stratford and Plaistow, and it only required the construction at Canning Town of the [[Royal Docks|Victoria and Albert Docks]] to make the once desolate parish of West Ham a manufacturing and commercial centre of the first importance and to bring upon it a teeming and an industrious population."''<ref name=charter/></blockquote>

By the early 19th century, Stratford was an important transport hub, with [[Wagonette|omnibus]]es and [[stagecoach|coach]]es running into London four times every hour and coaches from [[East Anglia]] passing through hourly. The route into London was plied by [[Walter Hancock]]'s [[History of steam road vehicles#Early steam carriage services|steam coach]]es for a period during the 1830s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol6/pp61-63|title=West Ham: Transport and postal services {{pipe}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> A small dock and a number of [[wharf|wharves]] were operating on the River Lea at Stratford by the 1820s, serving the needs of local industries. The opening of the Victoria Dock (later [[Royal Victoria Dock]]) nearby on the Thames in 1855, and the subsequent construction of the [[Royal Group of Docks]] (at one time the largest area of impounded water in the world), increased Stratford's importance as a transport and manufacturing centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol6/pp57-61|title=West Ham: Rivers, bridges, wharfs and docks {{pipe}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> Rising population levels led to two major new Anglican churches in the area, [[St John's Church, Stratford|St John's Church]] in 1834 and [[Christ Church, Stratford|Christ Church]] in 1851.

[[File:Stratford Railway Works.jpg|thumb|right|Engine repair shop of the Stratford Railway Works, 1921]]

Stratford station was opened on 20 June 1839 by the [[Eastern Counties Railway]] (ECR). The [[Northern and Eastern Railway]] opened a section of its authorised line from {{stnlnk|Broxbourne}} to join the ECR at Stratford on 15 September 1840.<ref>{{cite book|author=White, H.P.|editor1=Thomas, David St John|title=A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain — Volume 3: Greater London|edition=3rd|year=1987|publisher=[[David & Charles]]|location=Dawlish}}</ref> A railway works and depot for engines and rolling stock was established by [[Great Eastern Railway|Great Eastern]] in 1847 to the north of Stratford. At its peak, the works employed over 2,500, many of whom had homes, along with other railway workers, in the town that developed nearby. It was originally called Hudson Town, after [[George Hudson]], the "Railway King", but after his involvement in bribery and fraud was revealed in 1849, the settlement quickly became better known as '''Stratford New Town''', which by 1862 had a population of 20,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol5/pp570-576|title=The northern suburbs: The Lea and Stratford-le-Bow {{pipe}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> During the lifetime of the Stratford works, 1,682 [[locomotive]]s, 5,500 [[Railroad car|passenger coach]]es and 33,000 [[goods wagon]]s were built. The last part of the works closed in March 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newhamstory.com/node/1609|title=Stratford Railway Works – General Offices Building – The Newham Story|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316121313/http://newhamstory.com/node/1609|archive-date=16 March 2013}}</ref>

===20th century===
Stratford, like many areas of London, particularly in the East End, suffered significant de-industrialisation in the 20th century.<ref name="rgs.org">{{cite web| url = http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Fieldwork+and+local+learning/Planning+your+fieldtrip/Fieldwork+locations/London+2012+Olympic+Park/Stratford.htm| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111001084649/http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Fieldwork+and+local+learning/Planning+your+fieldtrip/Fieldwork+locations/London+2012+Olympic+Park/Stratford.htm| archive-date = 1 October 2011| title = Stratford}}</ref> This was compounded by the closing of the London Docks in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/london/hi/people_and_places/2012/newsid_9041000/9041124.stm|title=Remembering 'Stinky Stratford'|date=1 October 2010|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> Around this time, the Stratford Shopping Centre was built, beginning efforts to guide the area through the process of transformation from a working-class industrial and transport hub to a retail and leisure destination for the contemporary age.<ref name="rgs.org"/> These efforts continued with the Olympic bid for Stratford, and the ongoing urban regeneration work going on there.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stratfordlondon.info/ |title=stratfordlondon.info |access-date=31 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101194805/http://www.stratfordlondon.info/ |archive-date=1 January 2014 |url-status=usurped  }}</ref>

==Administration and scope==
===Geography===
Stratford began as a hamlet in the northwest part of the ancient parish of [[West Ham]], as the area urbanised it expanded, increased in population and merged with neighbouring districts.

Except as a ward, Stratford has never been a unit of administration and so, like many London districts, lacks formally defined boundaries. As described however, Stratford occupies the north-west part of [[County Borough of West Ham|West Ham]] and so takes the northwest boundaries of that area; boundaries which have subsequently become the northwest boundary of the modern [[London Borough of Newham]].

In this way the [[River Lea]] and the complex network of the [[Bow Back Rivers]] mark the western limits of the area, which also extends north as far as the boundary of the [[London Borough of Waltham Forest]].

Most of Stratford is in the E15 postal area, however the [[Royal Mail]] has given the new E20 postcode to the [[Olympic Park, London|Olympic Park]] and Stratford City developments; this was previously only used by the BBC TV soap ''[[EastEnders]]'' for its fictional East London setting of [[Walford]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12789694 BBC News: London – Olympic Park to share EastEnders' Walford E20 postcode]. Retrieved 19 March 2011</ref> The name "Walford" is a portmanteau of the names of nearby [[Walthamstow]] and Stratford itself.

{{Geographic Location
|title     = '''Neighbouring areas of Stratford.'''
|Northwest = [[Hackney Wick]]
|North     = [[Temple Mills]] and [[Hackney Marsh]]
|Northeast = [[Leyton]]
|West      = [[Bow, London|Bow]] and [[Old Ford]]
|Centre    = Stratford
|East      = [[Forest Gate]]
|Southwest = [[Bromley-by-Bow]]
|South     = Central [[West Ham]]
|Southeast = [[Plaistow, Newham|Plaistow]]
}}

===Administrative history===
Stratford was one of three ancient wards in the large ancient parish of [[West Ham]], in the [[Becontree (hundred)|Becontree]] hundred of [[Essex]]. It came within the [[Metropolitan Police District]] in 1840.<ref name="local government">[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42758 West Ham – Local government and public services | A History of the County of Essex: Volume 6 (pp. 96–112)]. British-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2013.</ref>

[[File:West Ham CP Ward Map 1867.svg|thumb|left|Stratford ward of West Ham Civil Parish in 1867]]

Despite forming part of the built up area of London the parish remained outside the statutory metropolitan area established in 1855 and the [[County of London]] established in 1889. Instead, administrative reform was undertaken in the area in much the same way as a large provincial town. A local board was formed in 1856 under the [[Public Health Act 1848]] and subsequently the parish was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1886. In 1889 the borough was large enough in terms of population to become a [[County Borough of West Ham|county borough]] and was outside the area of responsibility of [[Essex County Council]]. Stratford formed the centre of administration of the county borough and was the location of the town hall.

Following [[London Government Act 1963|reform of local government in London]] in 1965, [[West Ham]] was reunited with [[East Ham]] ([[London Borough of Newham#Manor of Ham|Ham]] is believed to have formed a single unit until the late 12th century) and small areas of neighbouring districts, to form the [[London Borough of Newham]], part of the new [[Greater London]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Travers |first1=Tony |title=50 Years of the London Boroughs |date=2015 |publisher=Guildhall |location=London |page=4 |url=https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/node/26226 |quote=In 1965, a reform was made to London’s government which has affected the city ever since. After many years of debate and a Royal Commission, 'London' – that is the area of the London County Council – was expanded to embrace the whole of Middlesex and parts of Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey. On April 1st, today's 32 boroughs and the Greater London Council (GLC) took charge of the capital’s local government. The LCC, the metropolitan boroughs and a substantial number of districts were abolished or merged to create new authorities. |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref>

===Representation===
Until 2024, Stratford was in the constituency of [[West Ham (UK Parliament constituency)|West Ham]], represented in the [[House of Commons]] since 2005 by [[Lyn Brown (politician)|Lyn Brown]] of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]. Since 2024, following the [[2023 review of Westminster constituencies]], it has been in the constituency of [[Stratford and Bow (UK Parliament constituency)|Stratford and Bow]], represented by [[Uma Kumaran]].

Stratford is part of the area of the [[Mayor of Newham]], a [[Directly elected mayors in England and Wales|directly elected mayor]]. The modern borough has an electoral ward named "Stratford and New Town".

==Parks==
===Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park===
Most of the 560-acre<ref>QEOP official site https://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/the-park</ref> [[Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park]] is located within Stratford, with other parts of the park in the [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets]], the [[London Borough of Hackney]] and the [[London Borough of Waltham Forest]]. The park was prepared as the main venue of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] and permanently opened to the public in 2014.

As part of the games and its legacy, the park included a number of sporting venues as well as extensive open spaces. Since the games many of the open parts of the park have been built on, replaced by cultural and commercial premises, as well as new housing.

===Stratford Park===
''Stratford Park'' on West Ham Lane was laid out, in stages, by the [[County Borough of West Ham]] between 1899 and 1912. It was originally called ''West Ham Recreation Ground'' and is still known to many as ''West Ham Rec''. The name was changed in 1999 to avoid confusion with nearby [[West Ham Park]].<ref>Planning documents relating to Stratford Park http://planningregister.londonlegacy.co.uk/swift/MediaTemp/5800-108833.pdf</ref>

In 1892–93, before the land was acquired by the local council, the open plot opposite West Ham Police Station, was let to [[Old Castle Swifts F.C.|Castle Swifts F.C.]] for use as their home ground. This was the works team of the [[Castle Shipping Line]] which had a repair yard at [[Leamouth]] in [[Blackwall, London|Blackwall]]. The Castle Swifts named the ground ''Dunottar Park'' in honour of the company's ship [[RMS Dunottar Castle]]. The club was only based in Stratford for its first year, moving to ''Temple Meadows'' in [[East Ham]] after a dispute with the landlord. The club would merge with [[Thames Ironworks F.C.]], the forerunner of [[West Ham United F.C.]], in 1895.<ref>Iron in the Blood, John Powles, p7, {{ISBN|1 899468 22 6}}</ref>

==Landmarks==
===Gurney memorial drinking fountain===
Directly to the south of the churchyard stands a 12.80-metre tall [[granite]] [[obelisk]], which was erected in 1861 as a memorial to the [[Quaker]] philanthropist and [[Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|abolitionist]], [[Samuel Gurney (1786–1856)|Samuel Gurney]] (1766 to 1856). The [[plinth]] carries two brass [[drinking fountain]] heads on opposite sides, with the inscription: ''IN REMEMBRANCE OF SAMUEL GURNEY / WHO DIED 5 June 1856 / ERECTED BY HIS FELLOW PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS / 1861 / "When the ear heard him then it blessed him"''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vads.ac.uk/flarge.php?uid=69755&sos=0|title=Full Record PMSA – VADS: the online resource for visual arts|access-date=14 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020012844/http://www.vads.ac.uk/flarge.php?uid=69755&sos=0|archive-date=20 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> (a [[paraphrase]] from the [[Book of Job]], Chapter 29 verse 11).

===Old Town Hall===
[[File:HE1080991 Old Town Hall Stratford (1).jpg|thumb|right|The Old Town Hall in Stratford Broadway]]
Designed by Lewis Angell and [[John Giles (architect)|John Giles]] in the [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]] style with a {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=off|adj=on}} tall domed tower, [[Stratford Town Hall]] opened in 1869 as the public offices for the West Ham [[Local board of health]]. It later became the town hall for the county borough and was enlarged in 1881 to accommodate a [[courthouse]] and [[prison cell|cell]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiseek.com/2013/1867-public-offices-and-vestry-hall-stratford/ |title=1869 – Public Office & Vestry Hall, Stratford, London |website=archiseek.com |date=31 March 2013 |access-date=25 October 2014}}</ref> On 26 June 1982, the main part of the building was badly damaged by fire; after a painstaking reconstruction of the original features and refurbishment as a [[conference centre]], it was reopened by the Queen in July 1986. It is a Grade II [[listed building]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stratfordlondon.info/developments/old-town-hall |title=The Old Town Hall Stratford |website=stratfordlondon.info/ |publisher=Stratford Renaissance Partnership |access-date=25 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025165109/http://www.stratfordlondon.info/developments/old-town-hall |archive-date=25 October 2014 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The balcony of the Old Town Hall has provided the climax of victory celebrations for [[West Ham United FC]], winning major trophies such as the [[FA Cup]] in 1980 and the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]] in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/08/london-turned-claret-and-blue-as-thousands-of-west-ham-fans-cheer-on-cup-winners-18921390/ |title=London turned claret and blue as thousands of West Ham fans cheer on cup winners |last=Corbishley |first=Sam |date=8 June 2023 |website=metro.co.uk |publisher=Associated Newspapers Limited |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref>

===King Edward VII public house===
Opposite St John's Church stands an early 19th-century [[Public house|pub]], the [[King Edward VII, Stratford|King Edward VII]], with original [[pediment]]ed doors and early 19th-century [[bay window]]s; it is a Grade II listed building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-204929-king-edward-vii-public-house-47-stratfor|title=King Edward Vii Public House – Newham – Greater London – England – British Listed Buildings|author=Good Stuff}}</ref>

It was originally called "The King of [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]", either in honour of [[Frederick the Great]] or else after King [[Frederick William IV of Prussia|Frederick William IV]] who visited the area in 1842 to meet [[Elizabeth Fry]], the prison reformer.

In 1914, the first year of [[World War One]], the pub was renamed<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://exploringeastlondon.co.uk/eel/Stratford/Stratford.htm#Edward|title=Stratford's Free Art & History.|website=exploringeastlondon.co.uk}}</ref> in honour of the preceding king, [[Edward VII]] who had died in 1910. The old name was problematic as 'The King of Prussia' was one of the titles of the German Emperor, [[Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Kaiser Wilhelm II]].
More than a hundred years later, the King Edward VII pub is still locally nicknamed 'The Prussian'.

===''Robert'' the tank engine===
[[File:Steam engine, Stratford - geograph.org.uk - 3266164.jpg|thumb|right|''Robert'', on the forecourt of Stratford station]]
A 38 tonne 0-6-0 [[Saddle tank (locomotive)|saddle-tank]] [[steam locomotive]] named ''Robert'' is displayed in Meridian Square, the forecourt of Stratford Station. It was built in 1933 by the [[Avonside Engine Company]] of [[Bristol]] for use at the Lamport Ironstone mines railway near [[Brixworth]], Northamptonshire. It was previously an exhibit at the [[North Woolwich Old Station Museum]], but moved to Stratford in 1999. In 2008, it was moved on to the [[East Anglia Railway Museum]] at [[Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station]] near [[Colchester]]; there it was cleaned and repainted at the expense of the [[Olympic Delivery Authority]] and returned to Stratford in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london2012.com/media-centre/media-releases/year=2011/month=04/article=landmark-steam-locomotive-robert-the-engine-back-home-as-london-2012-transpo.html|title=London 2012 News|access-date=14 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731222714/http://www.london2012.com/media-centre/media-releases/year=2011/month=04/article=landmark-steam-locomotive-robert-the-engine-back-home-as-london-2012-transpo.html|archive-date=31 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===ArcelorMittal orbit===
[[File:ArcelorMittal Orbit, April 2012.jpg|thumb|right|The ArcelorMittal Orbit observation tower in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park]]
{{main|ArcelorMittal Orbit}}
A {{convert|114|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} sculpture and observation tower in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is Britain's largest piece of public art and is intended to be a permanent legacy of the 2012 Summer Olympics. It closed after the end of the Games, but was reopened to the public in April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/the-park/attractions/arcelormittal-orbit |title=ArcelorMittal Orbit |website=queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk |publisher=London Legacy Development Corporation |access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref>

===Abbey Mills Pumping Stations===
[[File:Old Abbey Mills Pumping Station, Stratford. - geograph.org.uk - 445286.jpg|thumb|right|The Old Abbey Mills Pumping Station in Abbey Lane]]
{{main|Abbey Mills Pumping Stations}}
Built in 1868, as part of the new [[London sewerage system]] by Sir [[Joseph Bazalgette]], the building originally housed steam pumps and is a notable example of Italian style [[Gothic Revival architecture]]. It is opened to the public on an occasional basis, when the "flamboyant interior of enriched cast ironwork" can be seen. It was used to portray a lunatic asylum in the 2005 film ''[[Batman Begins]]'' and is a Grade II* listed building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-204900-abbey-mills-pumping-station-greater-lond|title=Abbey Mills Pumping Station – Newham – Greater London – England – British Listed Buildings|author=Good Stuff}}</ref>

==Churches==
[[File:St John's Stratford.JPG|thumb|right|St John's Church in Stratford Broadway]]

The [[Church of England parish church]] of Stratford is the 1830s church called [[St John's Church, Stratford|St John's]] on Stratford Broadway, a major thoroughfare, and The Grove and is part of [[Diocese of Chelmsford]], itself part of the [[Province of Canterbury]]. It is a Grade II [[listed building]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-204926-church-of-st-john-the-evangelist-stratfo|title=Church of St John the Evangelist – Newham – Greater London – England – British Listed Buildings|author=Good Stuff}}</ref> In its churchyard is a memorial to the [[Stratford Martyrs]], who were [[burned at the stake]] in 1556 (possibly at Stratford, but more likely at [[Bow, London|Bow]]) during the reign of [[Queen Mary I of England|Queen Mary]]. The memorial itself is octagonal with [[terracotta]] plaques on each face, surmounted by a twelve sided spire. It was unveiled in 1878.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-204925-martyrs-memorial-stratford|title=Martyrs' Memorial – Newham – Greater London – England – British Listed Buildings|author=Good Stuff}}</ref>

[[St Francis of Assisi Church, Stratford]] is the [[Roman Catholic]] church in Stratford. It was built in 1868 and is served by [[Franciscan Friars]].

==Demography==
===Ethnicity===
As of the 2011 census, White British is the largest ethnic group in the Stratford and New Town ward, at 21% of the population, followed by Other White at 19% and Black African at 13%; other ethnic groups comprised the remaining 47%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/stratford-and-new-town-e05000492|title=Stratford and New Town – UK Census Data 2011|first=Good Stuff IT|last=Services|work=ukcensusdata.com}}</ref>

===Religion===
The two main faiths of the people are [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]], with 8,106 Christians and 3,643 Muslims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukcensusdata.com/stratford-and-new-town-e05000492|title=Stratford and New Town – UK Census Data 2011|first=Good Stuff IT|last=Services|website=UK Census Data}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Stratford Broadway.JPG|thumb|left|Stratford town centre with Stratford Broadway, the Gurney Memorial and the spire of St John's Church]]
Stratford's shopping centres, the [[Stratford Centre]] and the recently opened (2011) [[Westfield Stratford City]], are on either side of Stratford station. Westfield Stratford City, home to 350 stores, is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. The older centre
has a range of accessibly-priced stores, its indoor and outdoor market stalls, and the 'inshops' network of small retail outlets. The centre occupies much of the 'island site' created in the 1960s by the surrounding [[gyratory]] traffic system.

===Regeneration===
Stratford has been a focus of regeneration for some years as the local economy has grown, and is the location of a number of major projects.
[[File:Westfield stratford city.jpg|thumb|right|Westfield Stratford City, opened in September 2011]]
[[File:International Quarter under construction Oct 2016.jpg|thumb|right|During construction of Stratford Cross]]
Developments:
*[[Westfield Stratford City]] is a multibillion-pound scheme to regenerate the 73-hectare brownfield railway lands to the north of the existing town centre. The vast shopping centre reported to be bigger in size than [[Bluewater (shopping centre)|Bluewater]] was opened in September 2011. It has anchor stores for [[John Lewis (department store)|John Lewis]], [[Waitrose]] and [[Marks and Spencer]], in addition to other household names like Apple and [[Primark]]. The centre boasts a range of restaurant outlets, a cinema and casino, making it a leisure destination in itself, as well as its shopping facilities. Nearby will be a new purpose-built community of 5,000 homes, offices, schools, public spaces, municipal and other facilities destined to become a major metropolitan centre for East London, all to coincide with the opening of the Olympics in July 2012.
*[[2012 Summer Olympics|The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games]] had their main base at the [[Olympic Park, London|Olympic Park]], which contained a significant number of venues including the [[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]], [[London Aquatics Centre|Aquatics Centre]], and [[London Velopark]]. What was the athletes' [[Olympic Village]] is to be restructured as the new [[East Village, Stratford|East Village]] development, providing 3,500 homes, half affordable and half private. The post-Olympics legacy plans include the largest new urban park in Europe for over a century, and the new [[Chobham Academy]].
*Improving [[Stratford station]] with new platforms, walkways and entrances
*Rebuilding of [[Pudding Mill Lane DLR station]] as part of the [[Crossrail]] project<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140101081244/http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/replacement-dlr-station-at-pudding-mill-lane-approved-will-enable-crossrail-tunnels-to-proceed Crossrail: REPLACEMENT DLR STATION AT PUDDING MILL LANE APPROVED AND WILL ENABLE CROSSRAIL TUNNELS TO PROCEED]. Retrieved 31 December 2013</ref>
*[[150 High Street, Stratford]], a 41-storey {{convert|133|m|ft|abbr=on}} high residential tower
*A 26-acre development called Sugar House Island at [[Mill Meads]] is expected to see 2,500 jobs brought to the area, along with 1,200 homes (over 40% three bed or more), a new school, 350-bed hotel and new amenities for local people. This is a relatively low-rise scheme, with Dane's Yard, its first phase, regenerating a Conservation Area to form a new hub for creative businesses, by European developer Vastint.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/new-cut-price-office-space-seeks-to-steal-startups-from-shoreditch-a3837011.html|title=New 'cut price' office space seeks to lure start-ups away from Shoreditch|last=Chaplain|first=Chloe|date=11 May 2018|work=[[Evening Standard]]|access-date=7 January 2020}}</ref>
*Redevelopment of Morgan House and the southern end of the Stratford Centre into a new office, hotel, and 42- and 21-storey residential towers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pa.newham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=PHDAJ0JY52R00&activeTab=summary|title=Planning – Application Summary |date=29 October 2018 |access-date=13 November 2018}}</ref>

Olympic Park developments:
*Construction of ''East Wick & Sweetwater'' neighbourhoods will see up to 1,500 homes built<ref>[http://www.londonlegacy.co.uk/investment-and-venues/eastwick-and-sweetwater/ London Legacy Development Corp. East Wick & Sweetwater] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209110810/http://www.londonlegacy.co.uk/investment-and-venues/eastwick-and-sweetwater/ |date=9 December 2013 }}. Retrieved 31 December 2013</ref>
*''Olympicopolis'', a plan in the Olympic Park to see the [[Victoria & Albert Museum]] and [[University College London]] to have facilities by 2018.<ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/olympicopolis-multimillion-pound-cultural-hub-planned-for-olympic-park-8982657.html London Evening Standard: 'Olympicopolis': Multi-million pound cultural hub planned for Olympic Park]. Retrieved 31 December 2013</ref>
*[[Stratford Cross]]; will see 13 office and 2 residential buildings as well as a hotel.<ref>[http://www.tiqstratfordcity.com/the-development/plots-and-areas The International Quarter: Plots and Areas]. Retrieved 31 December 2013</ref>

==Entertainment==
[[File:Stratford Circus (2179748935).jpg|thumb|[[Stratford Circus]] on Great Eastern Street]]
Stratford's Cultural Quarter, adjacent to the shopping centre, is home to several arts venues, bars and cafes. The [[Theatre Royal Stratford East]] was designed by architect James George Buckle, who was commissioned by the actor-manager [[Charles Dillon (actor-manager)|Charles Dillon]] in 1884.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uf50AQAAQBAJ&q=theatre+royal+stratford+east+historical+dictionary+of+english+theatre&pg=PA427|title=Historical Dictionary of British Theatre: Early Period|last=Grantley|first=Darryll|date=10 October 2013|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9780810880283|language=en}}</ref> 'Stratford East' however is not a location; the 'East' is used to differentiate between Stratford (east London) and [[Stratford-upon-Avon]]. [[Stratford Circus]] is a contemporary performing arts venue that was designed by [[Levitt Bernstein]] architects and built with funding from the [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]] which opened in 2001.

The Discover Children's Story Centre is a partner in the Cultural Quarter which is a purpose-built Story World and Story Garden are creative play spaces, it works with schools, libraries and the local community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discover.org.uk/who-we-are/what-we-do/|title=What we do|website=Discover Children's Story Centre}}</ref>

;Filmography

Stratford has been used as a shooting location for numerous films, notably ''[[Sparrows Can't Sing]]'' (1963) and ''[[Bronco Bullfrog]]'' (1970), ''[[Batman Begins]]'' (2005) and ''[[Attack the Block]]'' (2011). The promotional film for the Beatles' "[[Penny Lane]]" single was filmed in and around the southern part of Angel Lane, demolished in the late 1960s to build the Stratford Centre.

==Sport==
Stratford is home to the [[Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park]], a sporting complex built for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] and the [[2012 Summer Paralympics|Paralympics]]; it is named after Elizabeth II to commemorate her [[Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Diamond Jubilee]].<ref name="bbc-rename">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11492273 Games Site Renamed the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park] BBC News, 7 October 2010; Retrieved 12 May 2012</ref>

The first annual [[Invictus Games]] were held between 10 and 14 September 2014 in the park; events were held at many of the venues used during the 2012 Olympics, including the Copper Box and the [[Lee Valley Athletics Centre]] which had 300 competitors from 13 countries which have fought alongside the United Kingdom in recent military campaigns participated.<ref name=Independent-2014-03-06>{{cite news|first=Adam |last=Sherwin |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/prince-harry-wins-1m-funding-in-libor-bank-fines-to-help-stage-invictus-games-for-injured-servicemen-and-women-at-the-olympic-park-9173832.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/prince-harry-wins-1m-funding-in-libor-bank-fines-to-help-stage-invictus-games-for-injured-servicemen-and-women-at-the-olympic-park-9173832.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Prince Harry wins £1m funding in LIBOR bank fines to help stage 'Invictus Games' for injured servicemen and women at the Olympic Park |newspaper=The Independent |publisher=Independent Print Limited |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=USATODAY-2014-03-06>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/03/06/prince-harry-launches-invictus-games-for-wounded-vets/6123635/ |title=Prince Harry launches 'Invictus Games' for wounded vets |work=USA Today |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Adams |first=Sam |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/what-are-the-invictus-games--3212319 |title=What are the Invictus Games? |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/prince-harry-launches-invictus-games-for-soldiers_916249.html |title=Prince Harry launches Invictus Games for soldiers |publisher=Zee News |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref>

The [[Premier League]] [[football club (association football)|football club]] [[West Ham United F.C.]] is based in Stratford Queen Elizabeth Olympics Park. From 1904 until 2016, the club's home ground was [[Boleyn Ground]] in [[Upton Park, London|Upton Park]]. In 2016, West Ham moved to a new multi-purpose ground, the [[London Stadium]], which is also home to [[UK Athletics]] (known as British Athletics) who ground share with West Ham. The stadium has hosted a few [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] and [[English rugby union system|English rugby union]] matches, and also both the [[2017 IAAF World Championships]] and the [[2017 World Para Athletics Championships]].

The [[London Aquatics Centre]] is also in the park; it has an indoor facility with two {{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=on}} [[swimming pool]]s and a {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=on}} diving pool.

==Education==
[[File:UEL Stratford Campus.JPG|thumb|right|[[University of East London Stratford Campus]]]]
The [[University of East London]] (UEL) has a major [[University of East London Stratford Campus|campus in Stratford]], whose main building, University House, is a historic listed building dating from the 19th century. The adjacent Passmore Edwards Building is also one of the area's most historic and beautiful buildings, with colourful frescoes and domed roof. In addition, [[Birkbeck, University of London|Birkbeck College]], part of the [[University of London]], has launched courses in the area, initially using space provided by UEL, with a view to constructing its own campus in Stratford. In 2023, two universities opened new campuses on the Olympic park, with the [[London College of Fashion]], part of [[University of the Arts London]], relocating to Stratford,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-college-of-fashion/about-lcf/lcfs-move/frequently-asked-questions|title=Frequently Asked Questions|website=London College of Fashion|access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref> and [[University College London]] opening its new [[UCL East]] campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/sep/ucl-officially-opens-new-east-london-campus|title=UCL officially opens new east London campus|date=18 September 2023|website=UCL|access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref>

[[Newham College of Further Education]] is a [[further education]] college that has a campus in Stratford which opened in 1993 with Stratford as it secondary educational teaching site.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.newham.ac.uk| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000229110211/http://www.newham.ac.uk/| archive-date = 29 February 2000| title = Newham College Home Page}}</ref> In April 2016 the college announced a strategic alliance with University of East London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/education/newham_college_and_uel_announce_partnership_1_4506459|title=Newham College and UEL announce partnership|last=Morton|first=Sophie|work=Newham Recorder |date=24 April 2016|access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref>

The [[Chobham Academy]] is an 
[[Academy (English school)|academy]] in the Stratford neighbourhood of [[East Village, London|East Village]] and is run by the [[Harris Federation]] which opened in September 2013. It is classed as an education campus and comprises a nursery, primary and secondary school, sixth form and adult learning facility.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harrischobham.org.uk/|title=Welcome to Chobham Academy|website=www.harrischobham.org.uk}}</ref>

[[Sarah Bonnell School]] is one of the oldest girls schools in England and currently a girls only secondary school. It had moved to its present site in Deanery Road from [[Forest Gate]]. It took over the buildings that had previously been called Deanery High School for Girls and Stratford Green Secondary School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sarahbonnell.com/page/?title=Our+School&pid=52|title=StackPath|website=www.sarahbonnell.com}}</ref>

The Carpenters Primary School is a state school in the [[Carpenters Estate]], the [[livery company]] of the [[City of London]] [[Worshipful Company of Carpenters]] has close links with the school who make regular grants. The school is built on a site next to the original Carpenters' Institute.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.carpentersco.com/education/carpenters-primary-school/|title=Carpenters Primary School {{pipe}} Carpenters' Company}}</ref>

Other schools in Stratford include Colegrave,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.colegrave.newham.sch.uk/|title=Colegrave Primary School – Home|website=www.colegrave.newham.sch.uk}}</ref> John F Kennedy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jfkspecialschool.lihtrust.uk/|title=John F Kennedy Special School – Home|website=www.jfkspecialschool.lihtrust.uk}}</ref> and also St Francis<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://st-francis.newham.sch.uk/|title=St. Francis' Catholic Primary School – Peace, Love, Knowledge}}</ref> and Maryland<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://maryland.newham.sch.uk/ |title=Maryland Primary School – Where our children's future matters most |access-date=16 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223192035/https://maryland.newham.sch.uk/ |archive-date=23 February 2019 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> in the locality of [[Maryland, London|Maryland]].

==Transport==

=== Railway ===

[[File:Stratford station northern entrance.jpg|thumb|right|Stratford station's new northern entrance]]

====National Rail====
[[Stratford railway station|Stratford]] is a major [[National Rail]] interchange on the [[Great Eastern Main Line]], [[North London Line]], [[Elizabeth Line]] and [[Lea Valley Lines]]. According to 2017–18 figures, 40.08 million passengers entered or exited the station, making it the UK's [[UK railway stations|7th busiest station]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/image/0009/39951/station-usage-2017-18-top-10-gb-stations.png|title=Top 10 Stations in Great Britain|website=[[Office of Rail & Road]]|date=10 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407173206/https://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/image/0009/39951/station-usage-2017-18-top-10-gb-stations.png|archive-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> The station is managed by Elizabeth Line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/stratford-london/ |title=National Rail Enquiries – Station facilities for Stratford (London)|website=www.nationalrail.co.uk|access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref>

The station is served by several [[train operating companies]]:

* [[Greater Anglia]] provides services to destinations in East Anglia, including [[Southend Victoria railway station|Southend Victoria]], [[Colchester Town railway station|Colchester Town]], [[Harwich Town railway station|Harwich]], [[Ipswich railway station|Ipswich]] and [[Norwich railway station|Norwich]]. The Lea Valley Lines take a route towards [[Tottenham Hale railway station|Tottenham Hale]] and [[Bishop's Stortford railway station|Bishop's Stortford]].
* [[Elizabeth Line]] run services between {{rws|Shenfield}}, {{rws|Romford}}, Liverpool Street, [[Bond Street tube station|Bond Street]], {{rws|Paddington}}, and {{rws|Heathrow Terminal 4}}/{{rws|Heathrow Terminal 5}}.
* [[London Overground]] services follow the North London Line towards [[Highbury & Islington station|Highbury & Islington]], travelling through [[Gospel Oak railway station|Gospel Oak]] and [[Willesden Junction railway station|Willesden Junction]] towards [[Richmond railway station (London)|Richmond]] or [[Clapham Junction railway station|Clapham Junction]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/track|title=Tube and Rail|website=Transport for London|language=en|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

[[Stratford International railway station|Stratford International]], sited to the north-west, is on the [[High Speed 1]] line from [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras]] to [[Kent]]. It is served by [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]]'s domestic high speed services. The international and national rail stations are linked by a branch of the Docklands Light Railway, opened in August 2011.

[[Maryland railway station]] is located in the eastern part of Stratford town centre. It is a stop on the Elizabeth Line.

====London Underground====
Stratford is served by two [[London Underground]] lines:

* The [[Central line (London Underground)|Central line]] runs east-west through the centre of London; it links Stratford with [[Epping tube station|Epping]], Liverpool Street, [[Oxford Circus tube station|Oxford Circus]] and {{rws|Ealing Broadway}}.
* The [[Jubilee line (London Underground)|Jubilee line]] [[Jubilee line extension|was extended]] to Stratford in 1999. It provides services to [[Stanmore tube station|Stanmore]], [[Wembley Park tube station|Wembley Park]], Bond Street and [[Canary Wharf tube station|Canary Wharf]].

====Docklands Light Railway====
The [[Docklands Light Railway]] (DLR) was extended to Stratford in 1987 and to Stratford International in 2011. Services link Stratford to Poplar, [[Canary Wharf]], [[Lewisham]], [[London City Airport]], the [[Excel Centre]], [[Beckton DLR station|Beckton]] and [[Woolwich Arsenal railway station|Woolwich Arsenal]].

[[Pudding Mill Lane DLR station|Pudding Mill Lane]] is located to the south of the Olympic Park (though it closed during the Olympics for safety reasons due to its size) and west of Stratford town centre; it normally provides transport to the local factories. It was re-sited south as part of the Crossrail project.

[[Stratford High Street DLR station|Stratford High Street]] is sited to the south of Stratford ''Regional'', situated on the site of the former [[Stratford Market railway station]].

=== Buses and coaches ===
[[Stratford bus station]] is adjacent to Stratford ''Regional'' and the [[Stratford Centre]], served by [[London Buses]].

London Buses travel to destinations in the [[West End, London|West]] and [[East End of London|East]] End, northeast and south London, served by London Bus routes [[London Buses route 69|69]], [[London Buses route 86|86]], [[London Buses route 104|104]], [[London Buses route 158|158]], [[London Buses route 238|238]], [[London Buses route 241|241]], [[London Buses route 257|257]], [[London Buses route 262|262]], [[London Buses route 276|276]], [[London Buses route 308|308]], [[London Buses route 425|425]], [[London Buses route 473|473]], [[London Buses route D8|D8]] and by the [[London Buses route 25|25]] and [[London Buses route N8|N8]] to [[Central London]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/stratford-a4.pdf|title=Buses from Stratford|website=Transport for London (TfL)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407195539/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/stratford-a4.pdf|archive-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

A newer bus station, [[Stratford City bus station]], opened in 2011 as part of the [[Westfield Stratford City]] regeneration project to the north of Stratford ''Regional''. London Bus routes [[London Buses route 97|97]], [[London Buses route 241|241]], 308, [[London Buses route 339|339]], [[London Buses route 388|388]], [[London Buses route 108|108]] and [[London Buses route N205|N205]] call here.<ref name=":0" /> [[National Express Coaches|National Express]] run coaches from Stratford City bus station to [[London Stansted Airport|Stansted Airport]] and destinations in [[East Anglia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/coach-stations/london-stratford|title=London Stratford Coach Stop {{!}} National Express|website=www.nationalexpress.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818171902/http://www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/coach-stations/london-stratford|archive-date=18 August 2018|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timetables.nationalexpress.com/routes|title=National Express Timetables Route List|website=timetables.nationalexpress.com|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> [[Megabus (Europe)|Megabus]] coaches also call at Stratford City bus station with a direct service to [[Norwich]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uk.megabus.com/stratford-international|title=Stratford|website=uk.megabus.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407200506/https://uk.megabus.com/stratford-international|archive-date=7 April 2019|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

=== Road ===
Stratford is connected to the [[Roads in the United Kingdom|National Road Network]] by several major routes.

[[A12 road (England)|The A12]] passes through Stratford between Bow and Leyton, carrying eastbound traffic from London towards the [[North Circular Road, London|North Circular]], [[M25 motorway|the M25]], [[M11 motorway|the M11]] and East Anglia. The A11 (Bow Road) meets the A12 at the [[Bow Interchange]] to Stratford's south-west. [[A11 road (England)|The A11]] carries traffic between [[City of London|the City]] and Stratford, whilst the A12 to the south carries traffic to [[A13 road (England)|the A13]] and [[Canary Wharf]]. [[Transport for London|Transport for London (TfL)]] are responsible for the A11 and A12 roads.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/|title=OpenStreetMap|website=OpenStreetMap|language=en|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-base-map-master.pdf|title=TFL Base Map|website=Transport for London (TfL)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219015547/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-base-map-master.pdf|archive-date=19 February 2018}}</ref>

Stratford High Street is numbered [[A118 road|the A118]], which runs from Bow Interchange to [[Ilford]] and [[Romford]]. [[A112 road|The A112]] is a north–south route through Stratford, which ultimately terminates near [[Chingford]] in the north (via [[Leyton]] and [[Walthamstow]]) and [[London City Airport]] in the south.<ref name=":1" />

All roads in Stratford are part of [[London low emission zone|London's Low Emission Zone]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/driving-in-london|title=Driving in London|website=Transport for London|language=en|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

==== Air quality ====
[[London Borough of Newham|Newham Council]] partake in roadside pollution monitoring. In a 2018 report, Leytonstone Road in Stratford recorded the highest percentage of [[Nitrogen dioxide|Nitrogen Dioxide]] (NO<sub>2</sub>) in roadside air of all monitoring sites in Newham, with an annual mean of 60%. Temple Mills Lane in Stratford recorded an annual mean of 40%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newham.gov.uk/Documents/Environment%20and%20planning/AirQualityAnnualStatusReport.pdf|title=Air Quality Annual Status Report for 2017|website=Newham|page=32|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407203747/https://www.newham.gov.uk/Documents/Environment%20and%20planning/AirQualityAnnualStatusReport.pdf|archive-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> It is thought that Nitrogen Dioxide is linked to respiratory conditions, can decrease lung function and increase response to allergens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.icopal-noxite.co.uk/nox-problem/nox-pollution.aspx|title=Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Pollution – Health Issues – Icopal|website=www.icopal-noxite.co.uk|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

=== Cycling ===
Stratford is linked to London's cycle network, with [[cycling infrastructure]] provided by both [[Transport for London|Transport for London (TfL)]] and [[London Borough of Newham|Newham Council]].

The eastern terminus of [[List of cycle routes in London|Cycle Superhighway 2 (CS2)]] is on Stratford High Street. CS2 follows Stratford High Street southwest on [[Cycle-track|segregated cycle track]] towards [[Bow Interchange]]. Signal controls at Bow Interchange give priority to cyclists, who can also use [[cycle lane]]s to cross the junction. CS2 then follows [[Bow Road]] ([[A11 road (England)|the A11]]) to [[Aldgate]] on cycle track.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/cycle-superhighway-cs2-stratford-aldgate.pdf|title=Cycle Superhighway 2: Stratford to Aldgate|website=Transport for London (TfL)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619073009/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/cycle-superhighway-cs2-stratford-aldgate.pdf|archive-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> CS2 was the first fully segregated Cycle Superhighway to open in London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk//press-releases-5886|title=Mayor opens first fully-segregated Barclays Cycle Superhighway|date=6 November 2013|website=London City Hall|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714141230/https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases-5886|archive-date=14 July 2017|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

[[List of cycle routes in London|Quietway 6]] passes through the north of Stratford between [[Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets|Victoria Park]] and [[Wanstead]], running non-stop to [[Barkingside]] in the northeast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/q6-victoria-park-to-barkingside-map.pdf|title=Quietway 6: Victoria Park to Barkingside|website=Transport for London (TfL)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001031240/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/q6-victoria-park-to-barkingside-map.pdf|archive-date=1 October 2018}}</ref> [[List of cycle routes in London|Quietway 22]] runs from Victoria Park, over Stratford High Street (CS2), towards [[Plaistow, Newham|Plaistow]] and [[Beckton]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/q22-victoria-park-newham-way.pdf|title=Quietway 22: Victoria Park to Newham Way via the Greenway|website=Transport for London (TfL)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801064143/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/q22-victoria-park-newham-way.pdf|archive-date=1 August 2018}}</ref> Quietways are signposted routes on quieter roads.

[[National Cycle Route 1|National Cycle Route 1 (NCN1)]] skirts around Stratford on its northwestern edge, running along the [[Hertford Union Canal]] and [[Lee Navigation]] [[towpath]]s. NCN1 is a long cycle route between [[Dover|Dover, Kent]], and [[Shetland|the Shetland Islands]], running in north London non-stop between the [[Greenwich foot tunnel|Greenwich Foot Tunnel]] and [[Waltham Abbey]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-1/|title=Route 1 – Map|website=Sustrans|language=en|access-date=13 May 2021}}</ref> Cycling is permitted on the Hertford Union Canal and Lee Navigation towpaths around Stratford, which are [[Shared use path|shared-use paths]] maintained by the [[Canal & River Trust|Canal and River Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/cycling/canal-cycling-routes|title=Canal cycling routes {{!}} Canal & River Trust|website=canalrivertrust.org.uk|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406232851/https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/cycling/canal-cycling-routes|archive-date=6 April 2019|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

The [[Santander Cycles]] [[Bicycle-sharing system|sharing scheme]] operates in Stratford.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.santandercycles.co.uk/london|title=London {{!}} Santander Cycles|website=www.santandercycles.co.uk|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

Between 2010 and 2014, the A118 (Stratford High Street) saw 153 pedal cycle casualties, constituting a 31% share of cycle casualties in Newham. By 2016, however, there were only 79 serious cyclist injuries across the whole borough, with no deaths.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newham.gov.uk/Documents/Transport%20and%20streets/CyclingStrategyNewham.pdf|title=London Borough of Newham – Cycling Strategy 2017/18-2024/25|website=London Borough of Newham|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407211757/https://www.newham.gov.uk/Documents/Transport%20and%20streets/CyclingStrategyNewham.pdf|archive-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> The borough council has launched a "cycling strategy" to improve cycling provisions between 2018 and 2025.<ref name=":2" />

==Media==
The ''[[Newham Recorder]]'' provides local news.

==People from Stratford==
:''See [[:Category:People from Stratford, London]]''

==See also==
*[[Stratford City]]
*[[Stratford Martyrs]]
*[[Maryland, London]]
*[[List of people from Newham]]
*[[List of schools in Newham]]
*[[MSG Sphere London]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{London encyclopedia}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110707081608/http://www.eolfhs.org.uk/area/parishes/ Description of Stratford in 1876]
*[https://archive.today/20060719055546/http://www.molas.org.uk/projects/reportPrint_tei.asp?report=olympics Archaeology at the Olympic site]
*[http://historyofstratford.co.uk/ History of Stratford site with links to historic Post Office directories]
*[http://www.stjohnse15.co.uk/history/history.html A Brief History Of The Parish Of Stratford]

{{LB Newham}}
{{London Districts}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Stratford, London| ]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Newham]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Major centres of London]]