property, homes and houses for sale in West Ham

A melting pot of cultures and nationalities, West Ham is attracting families looking for quality, affordable homes and good local shops and schools.

Living in West Ham

West Ham lies south of Forest Gate and east of Stratford in the London Borough of Newham, about six miles from Charing Cross.

Property is mainly Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, complemented by a few developments of modern townhouses and flats.

Surrounded by residential streets is West Ham Park which, at seventy-seven acres, is the largest park in Newham. Open every day and patrolled by full time park keepers, it is one of East London's safest and most popular recreational areas.

West Ham has a good supply of local shops and stores and in Green Street, in neighbouring Upton Park, there are numerous independent shops representing cultures from around the world.

Schools in West Ham reflect the cultural mix of the local population and include Quwwat-ul-Islam Girls' Primary School near the border with Forest Gate, and St. Bonaventure's School, a Roman Catholic comprehensive for boys aged 11 – 18.

The neighbouring town of Stratford is undergoing massive regeneration which is having a positive influence on the whole region.

North-west of West Ham is the site for the 2012 Olympic Park which will encompass the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, and London Velopark. It will also provide valuable green space on what was industrial land.

The University of East London (UEL) has its main campus in Stratford in University House, and Birkbeck College, part of the University of London, operates courses within space provided by UEL.

Transport

Residents in West Ham are served by three evenly spaced London Underground stations: Upton Park, Plaistow and West Ham are all on the Hammersmith & City Line and District Line. West Ham station is also on the Jubilee Line.

East of Manor Road is West Ham railway station which is served by c2c trains with connections to stations in Essex and to Limehouse and Fenchurch Street in the City of London.

A major transport development for West Ham residents is Stratford International Station which lies on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and is due to become operational in 2009.

For information regarding bus routes that serve West Ham and for tube times please visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/default.aspx

For details of train services throughout the UK please visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

London City Airport lies south-east of West Ham and can be accessed via Canning Town on the Docklands Light Railway. For information regarding flights please visit http://www.londoncityairport.com/

History and culture

West Ham is possibly best known for its Premiership football club, nicknamed the Hammers after Thames Ironworks which founded the club 1895.

West Ham Stadium opened in 1928 and combined football with speedway and greyhound racing until it closed in 1972 to be redeveloped for housing. Today, West Ham United F.C. plays at their stadium in Priory Road, Upton Park.

Every summer there are children's entertainers and concert bands in West Ham Park which has an excellent children's playground and paddling pool.

Neighbouring Stratford has a vibrant music scene and the Theatre Royal Stratford East is a popular arts venue. For information regarding performances please visit http://www.stratfordeast.com/

For current information regarding West Ham please visit http://www.newham.gov.uk/