Festival of Britain: Poplar 2026
This summer, Poplar is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain 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.
**Download our full programme HERE**
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
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)
No booking required
Chrisp Street Celebrates the Festival of Britain
Saturday 27 June 11am-5pm
Venue: Chrisp Street Market
A free-to-attend festival delivered by Telford Homes, with music, dance, creative workshops and talks that celebrate Chrisp Street’s heritage, and East London’s evolving identity. Loads to do and see for people of all ages.
No booking required
50+ Tea Dance
Thursday 2 July 2026 1pm – 3pm
Venue: Feldy, 18 Aberfeldy Sq., E14 0XA
Food dancing and entertainment inspired by the sounds of the 50s.
Festival of Britain: Paddle board and Katakanus taster sessions
Saturday 4 July 2026 1.30pm – 4pm
Venue: Feldy, 18 Aberfeldy Sq., E14 0XA
Paddle board and Katakanus taster sessions with East London Canal Access Network. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Teviot Pontoon, close to the Teviot Center
Teviot Festival
Saturday 4 July 2026 12 – 4pm
Venue: Teviot Center , E14 6QD
The Teviot Center’s annual celebration gets a Festival of Britain makeover.
Poplar Picnic: Festival of Britain
Saturday 8 August 2026 11am – 5pm
Venue: Poplar Union & Bartlett Park
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.
Lansbury show home
Saturday 8 August 2026 11am – 5pm
Venue: Poplar Union
A recreation of the Lansbury Estate’s show home. See how a living room would have looked in 1951. What do the furnishings tell us about the lives of its inhabitants? Meet the family, and they’ll tell you themselves!
No booking required
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
Festival of Britain: Poplar 2026 is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to bring you 75th anniversary celebrations.
