If you are visiting us in Bethnal Green, here are some of our favourite locations:

London Buddhist Centre – 51 Roman Road: Local mandala with library, book shop and shrine rooms which is the focal point of the surrounding Buddhist community with shops, canteen (the Wild Cherry), and a holistic health centre. Lunchtime meditation training for £1.

Museum of Childhood – Cambridge Heath Road: recently refurbished part of the Victoria and Albert Museum housing a collection of toys and other childhood momentos.

Oxford House – Derbyshire Street (off Bethnal Green Road): community organisation first established in 1884 which has a full programme of community and arts events. Offers venue hire, programme of various activities and a cheap café.

Rich Mix – 35-47 Bethnal Green Road: cross-cultural arts and media centre with three screen cinema, exhibition spaces, café, recording and media training studio and venue hire.

York Hall leisure centre – Old Ford Road: local gym and leisure centre, famous for boxing with newly refurbished swimming pool and spa.

Eateries

Bon Appetit – opposite Café Isha: café and places to sit with sandwiches, coffee, cream cakes galore.

Café Isha – 115a Roman Road: a mix of Bengali, Indian and Lebanese food, comfortable pillowy seating with sheisha for dessert.

Delicious- 89 Roman Road: fast, easy Indian food with a great grilled meats.

E Pellicci – 332 Bethnal Green Road: world famous, and Grade II listed, cafe (since 1900).

The Gallery – 21 Old Ford Road: pleasant veggie snacks and coffee.

Gourmet San- 261 Bethnal Green Road: great Chinese takeaway.

La Forchetta – 464 Bethnal Green Road: Pasta & pizza, generous portions, eat in & takeaway.

Noodle King – 185 Bethnal Green Road: cheap noodles and ‘Chinese’ rice dishes.

Siam – 107 Roman Road: good for Thai takeaway.

Thai Garden – 249 Globe Road: Thai restaurant.

Weaver’s café – middle of Weavers Fields (accessible off Derbyshire Street): cheap training café with nice décor and good variety of meals.

Wild Cherry – 241-245 Globe Road: veggie canteen run by women from the London Buddhist Centre (just next door). Healthy portions and queues at lunchtime.

And if you feel like a good walk continue up Bethnal Green Road until you find Brick Lane on your left for curries and beigel shops galore.

Pubs

The Approach Tavern – 47 Approach Road: lots of places to sit (including outside with awnings and heaters in winter) and food available, contemporary art gallery upstairs.

The Camel – 277 Globe Road: lots of pies.

The Florist – 255 Globe Road: busy pub with DJ nights.

Parks & Gardens

Museum Gardens - directly opposite the office.

Victoria Park – end of Approach Road: home of the annual Hub rounders match.

Markets

Bethnal Green Road – daily

Roman Road – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Whitechapel Road – Daily

Supermarkets – Major stores within ten minutes walk