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Stratford Waking Tour: London from the East (11 July)
One-day course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Long before thousands of visitors flocked to the Olympic city, Stratford was the ancient gateway to London, a path beaten from centuries by migrants, political and religious dissenters, rebels and adventurers. It was London’s manufacturing core, a place of railway engineering, shipbuilding and other heavy industry. It was also and continues to be the centre of a lively and thriving popular culture, epitomised by the Theatre Royal. This walk will explore Stratford’s historic heartland, searching out the different episodes in the area’s past through the remaining facets of its built environment.
V&A Academy Course Director
Mike Berlin
Mike Berlin is a Lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is a specialist in the social history of early modern London and has published extensively on the history of London’s guilds. Before joining Birkbeck, he was a research officer at the Centre for Metropolitan History, Institute of Historical Research.
The walks are friendly, expert-led, and hugely enjoyable, inspiring you to explore further Previous Walking tour attendee
Course overview
Join us for this walking tour, where we'll explore Stratford’s historic heartland, searching out the different episodes in the area’s past through the remaining facets of its built environment. This walking tour will aim to uncover hidden stories of the area, around the new V&A Storehouse.
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One-day course: Stratford Waking Tour: London from the East (11 July)
11 July 2025
£70.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
Related events
Header image: Silk Programme, Silk programme printed for the 'Grand Opening Night' of the Empire Palace Theatre Stratford, London, Monday 4th April 1899, featuring a Variety programme with among others Sandow, The Borrellis, Mark Melford, Edgar Granville and Miss Ruby Verdi. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London