Poplar
WELCOME TO POPLAR
Poplar is a historic, mainly residential area of East London in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Poplar takes its name from the native trees (Populuscanescens and Populus nigra) that once thrived on the moist alluvial soil beside the marshes. Poplar contains notable examples of public housing including the Lansbury Estate and Balfron Tower.
Entertainment & nightlife
Poplar High Street has Tower Hamlets College’s largest campus – but not much else in the way of amenities. Poplar’s real high street is Chrisp Street, which has been a focus of recent regeneration efforts, along with the zone now called Poplar Riverside– the river in question being the Lea. The disused Old Poplar Library has been restored as a ‘seedbed’ for start-up businesses.
Best place for after work drinks
There has been a public house on the site of The Gun for over 250 years. The surrounding area was home to the dockside iron foundries which produced the guns for the Royal Naval fleets in the 18th and 19th centuries. The pub dates back to the early 18th century but it took its current name from the cannon which was fired to celebrate the opening of the West India Import Docks in 1802
Schools
Schools in Poplar fall under the Tower Hamlets Local Education Authority. Primary schools standout, as being particularly good, of note are the outstanding Bygrove Primary School, Ian Mikardo School and St. Paul’s Way Trust School.
TRANSPORT & TRAVEL
Poplar is well served from both the Jubilee line and the Docklands Light railway (DLR).
- Poplar – DLR
- All Saints – DLR
- Blackwall – DLR
- East India – DLR
- Langdon Park – DLR
- West India Quay – DLR
- Canary Wharf – Jubilee Line
Parks & Recreation
One of London’s largest farms, Mudchute Park and Farm covers 32 acres. The farm itself is surprisingly compact, but full of animals, many out in the fields, plus a petting zoo and duck pond. The main focus of the park is still the thriving, large Equestrian Centre, a riding school for all ages with an all-weather floodlit riding arena, show jumps and cross-country fences across the many acres.
Restaurants & Shopping
Chrisp Street Market, originally a Victorian street market, pitches are now under a large canopy. Popular with locals on the look out for plants and fruit, clothes (including giant pants), bed linen and toys. To cater for the office workers within Canary Wharf, a vast number of eateries have recently been opened. There are also a number of restaurants and bars open until late onand around Cabot Square.
