The Olympic legacy and the Royal Docks
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games transformed Stratford. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park now includes the London Stadium, home of West Ham United, the London Aquatics Centre, the ArcelorMittal Orbit and the growing East Bank cultural quarter. Next door, Westfield Stratford City is one of Europe's largest urban shopping centres.
South of Stratford, the Royal Docks were once among the busiest docks in the world. Today they are home to ExCeL London, the exhibition and conference centre, and London City Airport. The IFS Cloud Cable Car carries passengers across the Thames to the Greenwich Peninsula. Older neighbourhoods such as East Ham, Forest Gate, Plaistow and Canning Town give the borough its very diverse character.
Places worth knowing
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – stadium, parkland and the Orbit.
- ExCeL London – international exhibitions and conferences.
- Royal Victoria Dock – waterfront walks and the cable car.
- Three Mills Island – historic tidal mills on the River Lea.
Getting in and out
Stratford is one of London's major interchanges, with the Elizabeth line, Central and Jubilee lines, DLR, Overground and high-speed trains to St Pancras and Kent. The Elizabeth line also serves Custom House for ExCeL. The DLR reaches London City Airport. The A13, A12 and A406 are the main roads.
Airport transfers from Newham
London City Airport is in the borough, so journeys from most addresses are short. Stansted is reached via the A406 and M11, and Heathrow via the Elizabeth line corridor or the A13 and central London, with very variable traffic. We often handle ExCeL exhibition transfers to and from all London airports.
See our London City Airport transfers and corporate transfers pages.
Pickup tips for this borough
ExCeL has separate east and west entrances. Tell us which one, or the event and hall, so the driver is in the right place. Stadium event days at the Olympic Park bring road closures around Stratford.
Frequently asked questions
Is London City Airport in Newham?
Yes. It is in the Royal Docks, close to ExCeL London.
Can you collect from ExCeL London?
Yes. Tell us the entrance or hall and we will confirm the pickup point.
Which airport is best for Stratford?
London City is the nearest. Stansted is also practical via the A406 and M11.