Your local news magazine for Roman Road, Bow

Roman Road LDN is a community newspaper for Bow, Tower Hamlets, East London. We cover news, culture and what's on in Bow, Mile End, Globe Town, Hackney Wick and Fish Island.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to be the first to know about the latest local news and events and read stories about social activism and the rich culture and heritage of our local neighbourhood, from East End Cockneys, East London Suffragettes, and Bow Grime music.

Discover the best-kept secrets about your neighbourhood including things to do, places to visit, new shops, restaurants, bars and coffee places, and the top attractions in Bow, Mile End, Globe Town, and Victoria Park.

Roman Road’s famous Roman Road Market in Bow operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from about 9am to 3pm.

Places to visit

Sadler's Wells East photo by Peter Cook
LocalOut and AboutPlaces to visit

Sadler’s Wells East officially opens in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

BBC Local Democracy Reporter

The Sadler’s Wells East venue forms part of the new East Bank cultural quarter also featuring BBC Music Studios and

Mural of Doaa Albaz in Mile End skate park, by artist Itaewon. Courtesy of Creative Debuts
LocalOut and AboutPlaces to visit

The journalists and doctors celebrated in the ‘Heroes of Palestine’ street murals

Albie Matthews
New London Overground names and colours TfL 2024.
LocalNewsPlaces to visit

London Overground lines will have new names and colours by the end of 2024

Albie Matthews
The Inspirational Figures installation at Republic's educational campus in Poplar. Image courtesy of Republic.
LocalOut and AboutPlaces to visitSponsored

Republic’s education campus has transformed into a canvas of East London’s inspirational heroes

Imogen Garfinkel
Globe Town Mural by artist Shiraz Bayjoo
LocalOut and AboutPlaces to visit

Whitechapel Gallery unveils new mural in Globe Town

Srinidhi Balakrishnan
Green space in Mile End park, one of East London's best parks
LocalOut and AboutPlaces to visitVictoria Park

The best parks around Bow: Victoria Park, Mile End Park and quieter green spaces too

Marina Rabin

Culture

Billingsgate old market
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

Fancy a bevvy? The origins of Polari language in the East End

Ray Bonsall

A slang language with origins in Yiddish, Cockney and gay subcultures is still used today inspiring singer, Olly Alexander’s, latest

Laisul Hoque in front of his work 'An Ode to All the Flavours'. © Rob Harris
Art and artistsCultureLocal

Laisul Hoque wins East London Art Prize for his ode to Bengali flavours

Ray Bonsall
Drawing of different places of worship across Tower Hamlets, including churches, mosques and the siikh temple.
CultureLife and livingLocal

2025 New Year messages from local spiritual leaders

Agatha Scaggiante
Exterior of Angel and Crown Pub on Roman Road in East London with blue and white striped deckchairs on a sunny day.
CultureEating and drinkingLocal

New Italian owners turn the lights back on at Angel and Crown pub revealing a bold new theme

Valerio Esposito
Victoria Park in the distance. Aerial shot of Victoria Park, photographs of Bow in lockdown by Matt Payne
CultureOut and AboutVictoria ParkWhat's on

All Points East organisers announce new festival Lido in Victoria Park, to run for two weekends in June

Lorna McDonald
london chest hospital, mullbery, archive, red brick, victorian, tuberculosis, victoria park
CultureHistory & nostalgiaLocal

From Bonner to bombings: a history of the old London Chest Hospital

Agatha Scaggiante

East End Cockney

Billingsgate old market
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

Fancy a bevvy? The origins of Polari language in the East End

Ray Bonsall

A slang language with origins in Yiddish, Cockney and gay subcultures is still used today inspiring singer, Olly Alexander’s, latest

Greggs announces ‘Baked in Gold’ jewellery line for Fashion Week
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

Greggs announces ‘Baked in Gold’ jewellery line for Fashion Week

Agatha Scaggiante
Phyllis Broadbent, the Pearly Queen of Islington, garbed in a mother-of-pearl outfit and a pink feather hat, with Leanne Black behind the counter at G Kelly's pie and mash shop on Roman Road
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

The Pearly Queen of Islington, Phyllis Broadbent, visits the Roman for pie n’ mash at G Kelly’s 

Imogen Garfinkel
Two people on Eel Stall. G Kelly, notable eel and pie shop.
CultureEast End Cockney

Something Smells a Bit Fishy! Jellied Eels: The Quintessential Cockney Cuisine

Sinead Campbell
Pearly Kings and Queens raising money for charity on a Covent Garden Street.
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

Is Cockney disappearing in the East End? 

Polly Nash
East London's bustling Roman Road Market in 1968
CultureEast End CockneyLocalOut and AboutRoman Road Market

The hidden history of Cabbage: the obscure fashion industry practice that helped shape Roman Road Market

Marina Rabin

Shopping

Two vets from Vet in the City on Roman Road, smiling in front of the reception desk.
LocalOut and AboutShopping

Vet in the City opens on Roman Road adding much-needed vet services to the area 

Agatha Scaggiante

Two friends left corporate jobs to open an independent vet practice in Bow that gives animal owners a more personal

People at a stall at Bow Arts Winter Market talking to the stall owner.
LocalOut and AboutShopping

Our guide to the top Christmas markets in East London for 2024

Lorna McDonald
People examining a christmas tree at Barge East's Wick Wonderland, Hackney Wick.
LocalOut and AboutShopping

Where to buy Christmas trees in East London 2024

Lorna McDonald
Store Manager Jamie Buckland standing outside the new Sainsbury's Local on Mile End Road.
LocalOut and AboutShopping

New Sainsbury’s Local opens on Bow Road opposite Mile End Station

Lorna McDonald
Man waving with a bike outside a bike shop called aztec's bike and repair shop
Out and AboutShopping

Our guide to the best cycle shops near Roman Road

Emilia Carter
Vicki Shenkin Kerr outside her new store Bard Books on the Roman Road
LocalOut and AboutShopping

A bar in a bookshop? The new independent bookstore on Roman Road 

Imogen Garfinkel

Food & drink

Latest news, interviews and openings about food and drink in the area.

People's Wine Roman Road
Eating and drinkingLocal

Where to eat and drink in east London this Valentine’s Day 

Ray Bonsall

Our alternative guide to Valentine’s Day restaurants recommends some overlooked spots for a romantic meal in Tower Hamlets. If you’re

How to have a sober night in London’s East End
Eating and drinkingOut and AboutWhat's on

How to have a sober night in London’s East End

Ray Bonsall
Three course vegan lunch at the Gallery Cafe, St Margaret's House
Eating and drinkingLocal

The best vegan cafes near Roman Road

Ray Bonsall
Roast turkey, with all the trimmings, and roasted carrots and potatoes in smaller dishes on a plain wooden table, The Green Goose, Bow, East London
Eating and drinkingLocalOut and About

Feast in the East: top spots for Christmas Dining in East London 2024

Lorna McDonald
Exterior of Angel and Crown Pub on Roman Road in East London with blue and white striped deckchairs on a sunny day.
CultureEating and drinkingLocal

New Italian owners turn the lights back on at Angel and Crown pub revealing a bold new theme

Valerio Esposito
Outside view of the new Ello Bagel shop on Roman Road.
Eating and drinkingLocalOut and About

Ello Bagels opens its doors on Roman Road with gourmet beigels and a sell-out weekend 

Lorna McDonald

Our other Tower Hamlets titles

The Slice for Poplar LDN logo.
The Slice for Whitechapel LDN logo