Festival of Britain: Poplar2026
This summer, Poplar is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain present and future through a series of free, community-focused activities across E14.
Events will be added as they are confirmed, so keep an eye on this webpage for updates.
Walking Tours: The Lansbury Estate 75 years on
Tours take place at 10:30am and 12:30pm on: 6 June, 13 June, 20 June and 4th July 2026.
FREE Guided 45-minute walks exploring Poplar’s extraordinary role in the Festival of Britain.
FREE Heritage Workshops: Poplar and the Festival of Britain
Friday 19th June: 10am-12pm. Venue: Tower Hamlets Archives, Bancroft Road, E1 4DQ
Saturday 20th June: 11 am-1pm. Venue: Stroudley Walk Café, 31 Stroudley Walk, London, E3 3ZR
Hands-on workshops led by Tower Hamlets Local History Library
Cabinet of Curiosities: Festival of Britain
27 June 2026 11am-3pm. Venue: Chrisp Street Market
Just drop by to find out more.
The launch of an evolving display of everyday life on the Lansbury Estate, told through personal objects contributed by residents, speaking of home, arrival, care, work, play, memory, change, and the future. Together, these objects will create a portrait of the Lansbury Estate, not just as architecture, but as a lived neighbourhood. Designed and built by Delvendahl Martin Architects.
Just drop by to find out more, or email ana.ramirez@poplarharca.co.uk if you would like to tell us a story about life in the Lansbury Estate, or lend us an object (no larger than 35 x 35 x 35 cm)
Poplar Picnic: Festival of Britain
Saturday 8 August 2026 11am – 5pm
Poplar Union’s annual picnic has something for everyone: Street food, a craft market, children’s fairground rides, a children games corner, arts and craft activities, face painting, water activities with East London Canal Access Network, a clown on stilts, and a recreation of the Rosie Lee Tea Tent – with a difference.
Poplar’s Live Architecture Exhibition
In 1951, Poplar played a starring role in the original Festival of Britain. While the main attractions were based on London’s South Bank, around 86,000 visitors travelled to East London to see completed sections of the Lansbury estate, then under construction. Whilst touring the site of the ‘Live Architecture Exhibition’ visitors marvelled at show flats with light-filled rooms, and indoor bathrooms.
They viewed exhibits demonstrating how new towns and neighbourhoods would be designed, and the poor building practices being left behind. To take a rest they enjoyed East End hospitality in the Rosie Lee Tea Tent.
Seventy-five years on, Poplar remains a place shaped by ambition, creativity and community, and our festival celebrates the reasons we are so proud to live here.
Tell us your stories: An ongoing activity
Do you have a story of life on the Lansbury Estate, or in Poplar, you would like to share? Stories can be of events a long time ago, or just yesterday. We’re creating an archive of your stories for future residents to reflect upon, and we’d love to hear from you.
For more information email ana.ramirez@poplarharca.co.uk