This neighbourhood, nestled between Upton Park and East Ham, is largely residential, focussed around two local shopping strips, Katherine Road and the High street. Slightly removed from central London, the area has a calmer suburban feel to it. However, with a number of nearby tube and rail stations, residents never feel too far away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city. Families are drawn to this area for the abundance of green space, like Plashet Park, and the modest, affordable post-war brick houses. Many of these families are part of London’s thriving Muslim and Indian communities, which is reflected in the area’s many vibrant South Asian restaurants and mosques.

Though West Ham United no longer play at Upton Park, there is still strong support for the team and a tangible community atmosphere on game days. The places of worship, as well as the community centres in the area, have also allowed the neighbourhood to form a tight knit local culture that many residents celebrate.

This part of Newham began largely as a rural settlement during the mediaeval period. The local settlement of Plashet was simply made up of a manor house, Plashet House, and a farm. Until the house was demolished in the 1880s, the great social reformer Elizabeth Fry and her family lived in it, influencing development around the site. However, most of these original buildings have since been replaced. Later, in the late 19th century, the neighbourhood began to attract many Jewish residents, leading to the construction of synagogues in the area. The Boleyn Ground, or Upton Park as it was often known, was built in 1912 on the grounds of Green Street House. It remained in use until 2016, overseeing another demographic transition as many South Asian families began to populate the area.

This neighbourhood has been home to The Who Shop since the 1980s. The shop contains pretty much anything you could ever want that’s related to the television series Dr. Who, drawing die hard fans from far and wide to the area.

Unfortunately, crime rates in the neighbourhood are slightly higher than London’s averages. However, even new residents in the area report feeling safe and love the neighbourhood’s food options and green spaces.

The current East Ham Shopping Centre will soon be redeveloped into a new retail, leisure and residential complex. Dransfield Properties have purchased the site and will be working to provide more vibrant public spaces in addition to a fully redeveloped market hall. The developer has also committed to providing nearly 300 new housing units, 35% of which will be affordable. While nearby Stratford had become a hot spot for developers since London 2012, this neighbourhood has only recently begun drawing the same attention. The opening of the Elizabeth Line station at Manor Park just a 15 minute walk north of the area is likely to attract more investment in the future.