The Elizabeth line has been open for more than six months now and has been fulfilling its role of shortening commutes in and out of the city. But given that the rising cost of living means that many young East Londoners like me can’t afford to go traveling anymore, how about using the line to go traveling closer to home?
The line runs from Heathrow Airport and Reading in the west all the way to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.
There is a focus on the western part of the Elizabeth line with stations such as Heathrow, Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road being popular stops. The direct connection between London’s West End and Heathrow means passengers can now skip that long journey on the Piccadilly Line. But while this western section gets all the attention, many could be missing out on what lies in the east, out towards Abbey Wood.
So I decided to have my own mini break out east, on the south-eastern part of the line, from Liverpool Street station to Abbey Wood, and I’ve listed some of the highlights of my journey below.
Liverpool Street Station: Spitalfields Market
From Tottenham Court Road in the west end, it’s just two stops to Liverpool Street station in East London. The station houses both tube and Network Rail, making it one London’s busiest train hubs. But if you stray a bit away from. the crowds, there are plenty of places in the area that you can visit, including the first attraction on my list: Spitalfields Market.
Spitalfields Market and the area around it has a rich history, and is home to numerous stores and stalls featuring all sorts of things from food to clothes to jewellery. If you find yourself passing by, be sure to pick up a coffee from one of the stalls, grab a book to read, and make time to rummage through all the new and vintage fashion available around here. The market is also known for its high quality food stalls.
Whitechapel Station: Vintage Market
Whitechapel Station is one stop further east from Liverpool Street. Also rich in history, its mix of old East London and South Asian culture make it very distinctive. The place that I want to highlight is the Vintage Market which is hidden in a basement on the famous Brick Lane. This is another place to browse different vintage retailers, each with their own selection of clothes, accessories, music, and art. Nearby are lots of particularly Asian restaurants, as well as food trucks where you can have your fill of varied cuisine.
Canary Wharf Station: The Crossrail Rooftop Garden
Next down the line is Canary Wharf, known as one of London’s major business centres. But there is fun to be had here as well, either wandering around or browsing in The Canary Wharf Shopping Centre at Canada Square.
But a less well-known place to go if you want to check out some greenery amongst the buildings is the Crossrail Rooftop Garden. This small area of lush greenery hides a few floors above the Elizabeth line and houses plants from all over the world. Although not the biggest space, you can spend however long you want here as you take a break from the busy world below.
Woolwich Station: The Royal Arsenal
The second to last stop is Woolwich. One thing you can do if you have the time is explore the historical Royal Arsenal. Right outside the station you are greeted by a small square that features historical artefacts and architecture. Venturing further down towards the pier, you pass more historical buildings on the way to the Royal Arsenal as well as a plaque which details its history.
A highlight of the area in my opinion is the group of Peter Blake statues right on the end of the pier. The statues appear to gather in a circle for some sort of meeting, frozen in time in metal form. The unique relic that is The Woolwich Ferry can also be accessed here, as well as Uber boats to take you east to Barking or west as far as Putney.
Abbey Wood Station: Lesnes Abbey
The furthermost eastern stop on the Elizabeth line is Abbey Wood, which is the least busy and the most pretty – at least in my opinion. Just a short 10-minute walk from the station is the ancient ruin of Lesnes Abbey.
The site is easy to find, with signs guiding you towards the abbey and the various walking trails around it. It’s a perfect place to head for if you want to take a stroll outside the city. They even have a little coffee shop if you want to take a break and enjoy great views of the city on the skyline.
