Victoria Park in Bethnal Green, opened in 1845, was the first park in London built specifically for the working class — in response to a petition from 30,000 east Londoners who had no access to green space. It covers 86 acres and remains the most important park in east London.
Political History
Victoria Park has been a site of political assembly for 175 years. Chartists, trade unionists, and suffragettes held mass meetings here. More recently, it hosts the People’s Day Out festival and has been the venue for anti-austerity rallies. The tradition of Speakers’ Corner at Hyde Park has an east London parallel in the park’s long association with public oratory.
Music in the Park
Victoria Park is one of London’s great music festival venues. Lovebox, Mela, and Field Day have all used the park. The Bandstand has hosted live music since the Victorian era. It is accessible via the Central line at Mile End or by the Overground at Cambridge Heath.
Leave a Reply