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Westfield Stratford City

The UK's largest urban shopping centre, where retail, entertainment, and community converge in East London.

4.4

Westfield Stratford City is the UK's largest urban shopping centre by land area, located in East London adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. With over 300 retailers, 80+ dining options, and family attractions including Gravity Max theme park and All Star Lanes bowling, it draws approximately 50 million visitors annually. The centre features major department stores, a 20-screen Vue cinema, Aspers casino, and three hotels, making it a comprehensive retail and entertainment destination accessible via excellent public transport links.

A brief summary to Westfield Stratford City

  • Montfichet Rd, London, E20 1EJ, GB
  • +442082217300
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 2 to 8 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-9 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-9 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-9 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-9 pm
  • Friday 10 am-9 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-9 pm
  • Sunday 12 pm-6 pm

Local tips

  • Arrive via public transport—80% of visitors use the Jubilee, Central, or Elizabeth lines to Stratford station, avoiding parking challenges and congestion.
  • Visit during weekday mornings (10am–12pm) for significantly fewer crowds; weekends and afternoons are peak times with limited seating in dining areas.
  • Combine shopping with entertainment—allocate time for Gravity Max theme park or All Star Lanes bowling to maximize your visit beyond retail.
  • Explore the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park immediately adjacent to the centre; many visitors combine both attractions in a single day.
  • Check the centre's event calendar for seasonal attractions and special experiences, particularly Christmas programming and seasonal retail launches.
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Getting There

  • London Underground (Jubilee or Central Line)

    Stratford station is served by both the Jubilee and Central lines, with direct connections from central London and across the network. Journey times from central London range from 15–25 minutes depending on your starting point. The station is directly adjacent to Westfield Stratford City. This is the most reliable and frequently used option, with trains running every 3–5 minutes during peak hours.

  • Elizabeth Line (Crossrail)

    Stratford station is also served by the Elizabeth line, providing fast connections to central London (Liverpool Street in approximately 8 minutes) and westward to Reading and beyond. Journey times from central London are typically 10–20 minutes. Trains run every 10 minutes during peak hours, offering a modern, comfortable alternative to the Underground.

  • Docklands Light Railway (DLR)

    Stratford station is served by DLR services, providing connections to Canary Wharf, Bank, and Tower Gateway. Journey times vary from 15–35 minutes depending on destination. DLR is particularly useful for visitors in East London or those combining visits to Canary Wharf with shopping at Westfield. Trains run every 5–10 minutes.

  • Private Vehicle with Parking

    A 5,000-space car park is available on-site, though parking is not required given excellent public transport access. Parking charges apply; rates are moderate relative to central London. The car park is well-maintained and secure. However, public transport is strongly recommended to avoid congestion and parking stress, particularly on weekends and during peak shopping periods.

Westfield Stratford City location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather

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Discover more about Westfield Stratford City

A Retail Landmark Reshaping East London

Westfield Stratford City opened in September 2011 as a transformative development for the Stratford area, occupying the former site of Stratford Works and Locomotive Depot. With a total retail floor area of 177,000 square metres, it stands as the largest urban shopping centre in the UK by land area and the fourth-largest by retail space. The centre has become London's most popular shopping destination by footfall, attracting approximately 50 million visitors annually and welcoming around one million shoppers each week. This scale of visitation reflects its role not merely as a shopping venue but as a major cultural and economic hub for East London.

Comprehensive Retail and Dining Experience

The shopping centre houses over 300 leading UK and international brands, ranging from high-street staples like Zara, H&M, and Primark to flagship stores and luxury retailers. The centre is anchored by major department stores including a 22,000 square metre John Lewis, a 12,600 square metre Marks & Spencer, and a 3,000 square metre Waitrose supermarket. Beyond traditional retail, Westfield Stratford City has attracted close to 40 first-to-UK retail and leisure concepts, establishing itself as a destination for discovering new brands and shopping experiences. The dining landscape is equally impressive, with over 80 dining options ranging from street food stalls and casual eateries to established restaurants such as Franco Manca and The Real Greek, plus an on-site brewery tap room.

Entertainment and Family Attractions

The centre extends far beyond shopping with substantial entertainment offerings. Gravity Max, London's largest urban theme park, provides family-friendly thrills and activities. All Star Lanes, the UK's largest bowling alley, offers recreational entertainment for all ages. The 20-screen all-digital Vue cinema provides contemporary cinema experiences, while Aspers, a 24-hour casino, caters to adult entertainment seekers. Family attractions include the Lego Store and Disney Playworld, making the centre an all-day destination for visitors of varying interests and ages.

Accommodation and Hospitality Integration

Three hotels are integrated within the Westfield Stratford City complex, providing convenient overnight accommodation. These include a 267-room Premier Inn, a 350-room Holiday Inn, and Staybridge Suites, offering visitors options across different price points and service levels. This integration of accommodation within the shopping and entertainment complex creates a self-contained destination where visitors can shop, dine, be entertained, and stay without leaving the premises.

Strategic Location and Transport Connectivity

Westfield Stratford City's location at the gateway to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park positions it as a natural extension of London's Olympic legacy. The centre is adjacent to Stratford station, one of London's major transport hubs served by the Central and Jubilee lines of the London Underground, the Elizabeth line, Greater Anglia services, London Overground, and Docklands Light Railway. Stratford International station to the north provides additional rail connections including Southeastern High Speed services. Multiple bus stations serve the centre with numerous London Buses routes and long-distance services. Notably, approximately 80% of shoppers arrive via public transport, reflecting the centre's excellent connectivity and the reduced reliance on private vehicles.

Community Impact and Sustainable Development

The development has catalysed significant regeneration of the Stratford area, creating thousands of jobs and generating substantial investment in the local community. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has invested over £1.75 billion in Westfield Stratford City, with an additional £670 million invested in 1,200 new homes in the surrounding area. The group continues to fund significant public realm improvements and green space provision, including new pedestrian routes and sustainable open spaces. In 2019, Westfield Stratford City became a Founding Partner and Official Sponsor of the East Bank project, establishing the Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund—a £10 million, five-year programme providing 19,000 new jobs, learning, training, and educational opportunities through art, culture, innovation, and creative placemaking.

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