Travel to Stratford, London Map

Stratford, London tourist guide map of landmarks & destinations by Walkfo


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Travel to Stratford, LondonWhen travelling to Stratford, London, Walkfo’s has created a travel guide & Stratford, London overview of Stratford, London’s hotels & accommodation, Stratford, London’s weather through the seasons & travel destinations / landmarks in Stratford, London. Experience a unique Stratford, London when you travel with Walkfo as your tour guide to Stratford, London map.


Stratford, London history

Stratford’s early significance was due to a Roman road running across the River Lea. The Lea Valley was a formidable obstacle to overland trade and travel.

Original ford and place name origin

The name is first recorded in 1067 as Strætforda and means ‘ford on a Roman road’ It is formed from Old English ‘stræt’ (in modern English ‘street’) and ‘ford’ The district of Old Ford in northern Bow – west of the Lea – is named after the former crossing.

Bow bridge

Matilda, wife of Henry I, ordered a distinctively bow-shaped (arched) bridge to be built over the River Lea. The western Stratford then become suffixed by “-atte-Bow” (at the Bow), eventually becoming known simply as Bow. The bridge was repaired and upgraded many times over the centuries until eventually demolished and replaced in the 19th century.

Stratford Langthorne Abbey

Cistercian Order founded Stratford Langthorne Abbey, also known as West Ham Abbey, in 1135. It was one of the largest and most wealthy monasteries in England, owning 1,500 acres (610 hectares) in the immediate area and 20 manors throughout Essex. Nothing visible remains on the site, as after it dissolution by Henry VIII in 1538, local landowners took away much of the stone for their own buildings and the land was subsequently urbanised.

Industrialisation

Stratford and national experience of the Industrial Revolution inspired scenes in the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. Stratford was originally an agricultural community, whose proximity to London provided a ready market for its produce. The Victorian era saw growth hugely accelerated by three major factors; the Metropolitan Building Act, the arrival of the railway and the creation of the Royal Docks.

20th century

Stratford, like many areas of London, suffered significant de-industrialisation in the 20th century. This was compounded by the closing of the London Docks in the 1960s. Around this time, the Stratford Shopping Centre was built, beginning efforts to guide the area through the transformation.

  

Stratford, London map & travel guide with history & landmarks to explore

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With 381 travel places to explore on our Stratford, London travel map, Walkfo is a personalised tour guide to tell you about the places in Stratford, London as you travel by foot, bike, car or bus. No need for a physical travel guide book or distractions by phone screens, as our geo-cached travel content is automatically triggered on our Stratford, London map when you get close to a travel location (or for more detailed Stratford, London history from Walkfo).


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