This is Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is truly unique, offering some of the very best of London, packed into one dynamically diverse borough. We’re moving forward, boldly proving that Tower Hamlets epitomises our capital’s rich past, it's exciting future and the energy that drives it all forward.​

Rooted in layers of history, stretching back almost 1,000 years, Tower Hamlets is today is a youthful, ambitious and vibrant place. ​

Always a global gateway for new people, new products, new trades and new ideas, Tower Hamlets is a borough of opportunity that leads the way as the heart of London moves east.​

Our learning institutions lead the world, and our people work hard to build fulfilling lives, stronger communities and a better world.​ Combining some of London's best destinations with hundreds of cultural and community activities, there is always something new to experience. ​

Shaped by our environment of dense development, open spaces, commercial drive and the constant surge of the river, our cultural life thrives.​ We embrace our diversity, and we know the value of difference. We are a globally influenced community. We understand that where cultures contrast and ideas intersect, is also where minds can meet, and everyone can feel at home.​

Welcome to Tower Hamlets.

Where the past and future collide

Our unparalleled history has shaped our character and helped to shape the world.

Rooted in multiple layers of history, with foundations formed in Roman times and a recorded history stretching back for 1,000 years.

From defending the key expression of royal power to welcoming Huguenot skills, embracing waves and waves of immigration and becoming the epicentre of global trade it was perhaps inevitable that Tower Hamlets would be the place that nurtured the Suffragettes, Charles Booth, Toynbee Hall, The Salvation Army, the battle against fascism in Cable Street, the spirit of the blitz and our united response to Covid-19.

The heart and soul of today’s Tower Hamlets has been forged in the crucible of our truly unique history and heritage.

World-class destinations, arts and music

We have a dynamic and unique culture that flows directly from our unparalleled heritage.

The vibrant, contemporary culture of Tower Hamlets has been formed by all those people, trades, ideas and ideologies that have come before. We’re more cross-breed than pedigree. And we’re proud of it.

Home to some of London’s best destinations, when it comes to days out, many people are likely to have visited Tower Hamlets without even knowing it. We have attractions including the Tower of London, the Young V&A (formerly Museum of Childhood) and the Museum of London Docklands, English National Ballet and Tower Bridge. You can catch shows at Rich Mix, Genesis Cinema or Wilton’s Music Hall, or take part in major annual events including All Points East music festival, BBC Introducing Live in Tobacco Dock and the London Marathon.

Take a walk in our 120 parks and open spaces including the award-winning Victoria Park and part of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There are world famous markets including Spitalfields, Columbia Road and Petticoat Lane. Brick Lane is a melting pot of food and culture, everything from renowned curry houses and Jewish beigel shops to the Old Truman Brewery with its own market. And if art is your thing then you can visit one of our 22 art galleries including Whitechapel Gallery, or be amazed by the street art that runs through our borough from Brick Lane to Poplar.

But if you look deeper, you will see layers and layers of culture created and infused by generations of immigration, our proud history as the traditional east end and our more modern developments such as Canary Wharf which has over 200 cultural events every year.

A globally influenced community like no other

Where cultures intersect is also where community grows.

Tower Hamlets is truly unique, offering the best of London in one dynamically diverse borough. Always a global gateway, we are a globally influenced community like no other.

Differing traditions, faiths and demographics can, of course, create contrasts and even stir tensions but this is massively outweighed by the energy that flows from the need and desire to live, work, relax and prosper together in this tightly defined place. Close-knit communities have always thrived in our distinct urban centres but today, as everywhere shrinks and boundaries disappear within the digital world, there is a growing sense of collective community.

And here, of all places, we can own this societal transition. Probably because we’ve been so open to the world for so long, we can uniquely take pride in our ability to build bridges, share strengths and coalesce community spirit, right across the borough. With over 137 spoken languages and 43% of our residents born in over 200 different countries, we are a world borough with a proud history of diversity and equality.

We welcome difference of all kinds and understand that it makes us stronger.

World-class learning, employment and innovation

Tower Hamlets is a global gateway and also a personal portal to a better future.

People have always been drawn to this place, creating a dynamic process of renewal, regeneration and progress that continues to this day.

From the very first communities, clustered around the Tower, that grew through trade and commerce to the many waves of immigration that brought new skills, trades, ideas and energy, Tower Hamlets has always been a place of transition, reinvigoration and growth. But always underpinned by one constant and unifying factor: the promise of opportunity.

This is where people come to strive, to thrive, to be fulfilled, to be enriched, to be the best they can be. Whether in education, medicine, business, social inclusion or any other aspect of life choices, it’s in the DNA of this place to offer opportunity to all.