Victoria Park

About Victoria Park

Victoria Park covers 86.18 hectares (212 acres) and was first opened to the public in 1845. Lying in the East End of London, it falls within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and borders parts of Bethnal Green, Hackney and Bow. On two sides, it is bounded by the Regent’s and Hertford Union Canals, which provide pleasant walks. In 2011, it won its first Green Flag Award and was voted the most popular park in England in 2012.

Fauna and Flora

Wildlife includes a deer enclosure, moorhens, grey and Canada geese and squirrels.

The Old English Garden features a variety of flowers and shrubs; and the park has many tree types including oaks, horse chestnut, cherry, hawthorn and Kentucky coffee.

Activities

There are a wide range of formal and informal sports activities and events and festivals run throughout the year. There are several cricket and football pitches, as well as tennis courts, cricket nets and a bowling green. There is also a skate park with facilities for skateboarders.

There is a children’s playground, complete with a paddling pool which is open between 1pm and 5pm in summer months.

Visiting the Park

The park is open daily from 6am till dusk. Tower Hamlets Council has produced a downloadable audio trail which allows visitors to take an historical tour of the park, including the statues of the Dogs of Alcibiades which are said to guard the park, the Burdett-Coutts Fountain and two Grade II listed surviving alcoves from the old London Bridge (demolished in 1831).

How to Get There

There is no parking (except for disabled Blue Badge holders) within the park, but there are tube stations nearby and several bus routes pass close by.