Art & Culture
Boost your wellbeing in the Royal Docks
It’s chilly outside and New Year’s resolutions may be fading but there’s plenty on offer in the Royal Docks to help lift your spirits. From free Kundalini yoga class at Beckton Globe Library to learning a new language at Newham Chinese School, there so many ways there to enhance your wellbeing and mental health locally. You could also attend a women’s coffee morning in Canning Town.
Kickstart your New Year with more inspirational ideas (many are free!) to find renewed energy and motivation towards a healthier, happier you. There’s no better time to embrace new beginnings, get out there, connect with the community and try something new:
Find joy in nature
Take in the stunning river views from Lyle Park. This peaceful park recently celebrated its 100th year.
Lose yourself in the hedge maze and spot the Thames Barrier at the award winning, Thames Barrier Park. Stop for a cuppa at With Milk, a cosy café situated in the heart of the park.
Play tennis at Royal Victoria Gardens. The courts have automatic floodlights for darker days. Pay as you go or sign up for lessons with Newham Parks Tennis. Lessons are available at Lyle Park too. Use discount code ACE25 for 25% off coaching for the first 3 months. Offer valid until 31 January 2024.
Discover Beckton Meadows, a beautiful two acres pasture featuring wildflowers, a Butterfly Garden, wooden sculptures and the new Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway through the middle.
Spot songbirds, terrapins, ring neck parakeets, woodpeckers and more at Itchycoo Pond. Regular wellbeing events are held at the pond including health walks, volunteering sessions and family sessions with Curious by Nature.
Stop by the Floating Garden at Royal Victoria Dock. The pocket-sized garden provides a floating wetland habitat for around 4,000 aquatic plant species, birds, fish and pollinators creating a hotspot of urban biodiversity.
Lyle Park, Bradfield Road, London, E16 2AU
Thames Barrier Park, North Woolwich Rd, London E16 2HP
Royal Victoria Gardens, Albert Rd, London E16 2NL
Beckton Meadows, London E6 5QN
www.newham.gov.uk/becktonmeadows
Itchycoo Pond, Beckton Park, Hadleigh Walk, London E6 5SA
www.facebook.com/groups/1790790411395133
Floating Garden is located opposite 17 Western Gateway, London E16 1AQ
www.royaldocks.london/articles/royal-docks-team-and-biomatrix-floating-garden
Exercise in the Royal Docks
Take part in free fitness classes in Canning Town Recreation Ground with Our Parks, stretch at Shakti Space or do bouldering at Rise Climbing. You could also try a reformer class at Pilate Vibes, join a free 5k run training programme with West Ham Foundation or even give boxing a go at the famous Peacock Gym. Read our guide for more ways to improve your fitness and boost wellbeing in the Royal Docks.
Nourish yourself from the inside out
Bread Meister
Sourdough bread can be a healthier choice as it's made through a natural fermentation process. Get your sourdough fix at Bread Meister in Canning Town. The independent family run artisan bakery specialists in sourdough bread and artisan pastries. The natural fermentation process makes
Bread Meister, 13 Silvertown Way, E16 1DH
www.instagram.com/breadmeister/?hl=en
Fremantle
Healthy eating isn’t all about soggy salads. Fremantle Bar and Kitchen offers wholesome options alongside global flavour blends. Try the Green Breakfast Bowl, a delicious combination of ramen egg, quinoa, avocado, kale, pumpkin seeds, broccolini and wild grains.
Fremantle Bar & Kitchen, Western Gateway, London E16 1AL
www.fremantlebarandkitchen.com
Myma restaurant and cocktail bar
Myma in Canning Town serves authentic Japanese-inspired cuisine with plenty of nutritious and delicious options. Try the sashimi selection served with avocado, nori, sesame seeds, tobiko, pickled ginger on a bed of sushi rice. Doing Dry January? No problem, opt for a mocktail.
Myma Restaurant, 2 Caxton Street North, London, E16 1XJ
Well Bean Café
Well Bean is one of the many great cafes and coffee shops in the Royal Docks. The founder, Charlie Claydon created this award-winning wellbeing plant-based cafe and community hub following his experiences with mental health. A weekly timetable of donation-based wellness classes is also on offer from meditation and yoga to Mindful Adult Crafternoons with Colour Therapist and Happiness Facilitator, Momtaz Begum-Hossain.
Well Bean Café, 1-2 Upper Dock Walk, London E16 2GU
Connect with your community
Community centres
Pop into your local community centre to discover the variety of activities and services on offer to enhance wellbeing and create community connections. Royal Wharf Community Dock, St Mark’s Church and Community Centre and West Silvertown Foundation, all located in the Royal Docks provides welcoming spaces to connect, seek help and advice, learn, and grow.
Royal Wharf Community Dock, 2 John Harrison Square, Royal Wharf, London E16 2ZA
St Mark’s Church and Community Centre, 218 Tollgate Rd, London E6 5YA
West Silvertown Foundation, The Britannia Village Hall, 65 Evelyn Rd, London E16 1RZ
Crafted Corner
Crafted Corner is a creative hub and a treasure trove of unique items made by local makers and independent businesses. You can also get creative and make new friends at classes and clubs.
Textile enthusiasts will love the Crochet Club and Sew Social, both free and very welcoming to complete beginners. Learn new skills or bring your own projects. You can also bring your own sewing machine to Sew Social - email sewsocialnewham@gmail.com so they can reserve an area for you.
Crochet Club – fortnightly, Wednesdays, 3pm – 6pm. Book via Eventbrite
Sew Social - first Saturday of every month, 11am-1.30pm or 1.30pm-4pm. Register on Eventbrite
Crafted Corner is also hosting a new free 15-week programme Women’s Connect Programme which aims to connect, inspire, and upskill women from all walks of life. Sessions include confidence building and mindfulness led by wellness coaches. Craft workshops and machine inductions feature alongside the opportunity to explore creative enterprise ventures.
Begins 30 January 2025, 12pm – 2pm. To book email info@communityshopnewham.co.uk
Crafted Corner, 27 Silvertown Way, London, E16 1DH
www.craftedcorner.co.uk
Custom House Bookshop and Custom Made
Both located on Freemasons Road, Custom House Bookshop and Custom Made are popular community spaces. Custom House Bookshop is an inclusive, community bookshop formed by residents. Weekly wellbeing events and activities are open to all. Pop in the shop to find out more.
Custom Made hosts regular activities include coffee mornings, arts and craft sessions, computer club, fitness classes and men’s mental health session. Follow them on Instagram to keep up to date with what’s on.
Custom House Bookshop, 3 Freemasons Road, London E16 3AR
Custom Made, 25 Freemasons Road, London, E16 3AR
Newham Libraries
Newham libraries now also serve as Warm Havens for residents during the cold season. They provide a non-judgemental, safe and warm spaces where you can stay connected. You can enjoy a free hot drink and free Wi-Fi too. Visit until 8pm on weekdays and until 4pm on Sundays. Each library also offers a diverse schedule of free activities from Fitness classes and toddler groups to chess and knitting clubs, there is something for everyone to connect and meet new people.
Beckton Globe Library, 1 Kingsford Way, London E6 5JQ
Custom House Library, Prince Regent Lane, Custom House, London, E16 3JJ
North Woolwich Library, 5 Pier Parade, North Woolwich, London, E16 2LJ
