Your guide to living in Mile End
Mile End has had a rough-and-ready reputation, but is now competing against the rest of (now trendy) east London for the next up-and-coming place to live. The area offers walkable distances to central London, parks and quirky coffee shops - what’s not to love?
Where is it?
Home to Queen Mary University, Mile end is a popular place to live amongst students. However, in recent years, its convenient location and edgy vibe have helped make E3 one of London’s most popular postcodes*.
So, if you’re considering moving to Mile End, here’s our guide for navigating the area like a local.
What's the transport like?
Conveniently located on the Central line in Zone 2, you can get into central London in less than 20 minutes from Mile End. Bow Road station, on the District and Hammersmith & City lines, is also nearby. In short - you’re pretty well connected.
If you fancy exploring more of east London's hotspots, you can take the 277 bus to Hackney Central and Dalston, or even make your way to Shoreditch, Bethnal Green and Stratford by foot.
If you enjoy a late night, you don't need to worry about forking out for an Uber home. You can catch the N277 night bus any day of the week, or hop on the Central line night tube on the weekends.
Where do the locals go?
Parks:
Mile End park boasts 79 acres of glorious greenery and is home to a climbing wall, children's park, skate park and an outdoor gym. So if sports are your thing, you'll never be stuck for activities. Alongside runs Regents canal, which makes an idyllic route for a Sunday morning stroll up to Victoria Park (a regular haunt for east-Londoners), where on a Sunday, you'll find a food market offering everything from artisan pastries and Japanese cuisine, to bloody Marys in takeaway plastic cups. In the summer, it's a perfect spot for a game of rounders or attending one of the many music events hosted, such as All Points East festival.
Events and activities:
In the mood to soak up a bit of local culture? Why not check out the Art Pavillion in Mile End park - a community-oriented gallery space, which hosts the annual Tower Hamlets Spring Open art exhibition.
The Nunnery Gallery is also the perfect free activity if you're interested in viewing work from local artists in a gallery that was - you guessed it - formerly a convent. Make sure to visit the on-site cafe too! If you're more of a history nerd, be sure to swing by the The Ragged School Museum by the canal to learn more about Mile End’s gritty Victorian history.
The best restaurants:
Immediately right as you exit Mile End Station you’ll find The Rusty Bike. On first impression, it appears to be a sports bar with an out-front beer garden, but the venue’s unexpected gem is its Thai food menu!
The Pizza Room is an east London chain of Italian pizzerias - Perfect if you want a quick bite and a delicious stone-baked margarita! They also do takeaway so you can grab a slice on the go.
Craving some British comfort foo
d? Head over to G Kelly on Roman Road for a taste of traditional east-end pie and mash. The shop dates back to the 1920s and is a must-try.
The best pubs:
If a traditional boozer is what you're after, it doesn’t get more textbook than a visit to The Palm Tree, located in Mile End park. Best known for its red lighting and live music, this pub is the last building standing on a street that was Bitzed during World War 2, making it a listed building - a fun fact to bring up over a pint.
You’ll find the locals at The Morgan Arms for a Sunday roast and a game of scrabble, or at The Lord Tredegar enjoying the beer garden and paying a visit to the resident cat. If you have a knack for general knowledge (or just need an excuse for a weeknight drink), make sure to book a spot at either of their weekly pub quizzes.
The best coffee shops:
Mile End has some fabulous coffee shops to visit for Instagram-worthy brunches. Cafe East, Mae+Harvey and Zealand Cafe are all within a few minutes’ walking distance of one another, serving coffee and artisan pastries that will make even yo
ur most hipster friend jealous. Arrive early on the weekend to beat the queues and secure a table.
Shops:
If you choose to live in Mile End, Roman Road will become your go-to. Home to a traditional east-end market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, you can browse the stalls from clothes, plants, food and homeware goods - two for a pound, anyone?
The road itself boasts a selection of Asian supermarkets and halal butchers, as well as some great independent businesses. You'll never be stuck for a last minute birthday gift, or somewhere to get a manicure.
From a practical viewpoint, Mile End has easy access to supermarkets such as Lidl and a large Tesco near the Bow underpass. Multiple corner shops are open 24/7, so you can always grab a pint of milk if you're in a pinch.
What's it famous for?
A notable Mile End landmark is the green bridge or “banana bridge”, as the locals call it (we’ll let you decide why that is for yourself), that crosses over Mile End road.
For music fans, the neighbourhood’s claim to fame is the band Pulp’s 1995 song “Mile End”, featured on the Trainspotting soundtrack, (although, if you’re considering moving to the area, don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics…).
Want to know the average room rent for Mile End, and other London postcodes? Check out our latest guide here!