Living in Poplar
A central, up-and-coming, and affordable neighbourhood you won’t want to miss
About the Area – Poplar
Poplar is the administrative centre of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and incorporates the areas of Poplar Baths, Blackwall Yard, Trinity Buoy Wharf, and Blackwall. Part of London’s East End, Poplar is located only 5 miles from Charing Cross. Its centre is proudly represented by Chrisp Street Market, a large commercial area surrounded by residential developments.
With a history dating back to 1327, Poplar takes its name from the Black Poplar tree. The urbanisation of the area began around 1654, when the East India Company built the St Matthias Old Church on Poplar High Street. It went on to attract more people to the area and reinforce the local settlement.
In 1951 Poplar hosted the Festival of Britain. The Lansbury Housing Estate on East India Dock Road, which includes Chrisp Street Market, was built for this special occasion. Soon after, in the 1960s, more properties were built in the area, such as the Robin Hood Gardens, Balfron Tower, Carradale, and Glenkerry House.
Following the closure of the Docks in the 1980s, massive regeneration programs were initiated by the British Government in the area. Poplar’s most notable landmarks include Poplar Town Hall, the Poplar Bowls Club, the Workhouse sports centre, and Poplar Baths.
Transportation
DLR
All Saints
Langdon Park
Poplar
East India
Underground
Jubilee Line – Canary Wharf
District Line and Hammersmith & City Line – Stepney Green
Future connection to the Crossrail
National Rail – C2C
Limehouse
AIRPORT
London Airport – Less than 10 minutes by car
Poplar – Know the Area
Entertainment options are widely available for Poplar residents. This dynamic area hosts many restaurants, pubs, cafes, and shops along Poplar High Street and East India Dock Road. It has a famous market – Chrisp Street, as well as two nature reserves.
Some of the most popular attractions in Poplar are:
ATTRACTIONS – ARCHITECTURE – PARKS – SHOPPING
- 1 bedroom property
- 2 bedroom property
- 3 bedroom property:
- 4 bedroom property
- Studio
- 1 bedroom property
- 2 bedroom property
- 3 bedroom property:
- 4 bedroom property
Schools in Poplar
Young families have plenty of good nurseries, primary, secondary schools, and colleges to choose from in Poplar. Here is a shortlist of the more popular educational facilities in Poplar:
Medical Care Facilities in Poplar
Residents in Poplar have access to many well-ranked medical facilities. Here is a shortlist of the most notable hospitals and medical centres in the area:
Poplar Commute Times
Poplar’s most attractive feature is its proximity to the city centre and great links to the rest of the city. If you choose to live in Poplar, you will have the City only 5.3 miles away. It will take you 30 minutes to reach it by car, transit, or bike.
Many Poplar residents choose the area for its proximity to the business district of Canary Wharf. It is located only 2 miles away. That means a 5-minute commute by car or 15 minutes by transit or bike.
You can also access Southwark from Poplar since it sits just 5.4 miles away. It will take you about 30 minutes to get there by car or 35 minutes by transit or bike.
Westminster is located 7.5 miles away from Poplar, and Shoreditch is 5.8 miles away. You can easily reach them both by transit in 45 minutes.
Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash
Why You Should Invest in a Poplar Property
Poplar is a great alternative for house hunters wanting to live close to Canary Wharf but not spend a fortune on a property. It also offers short commutes to most other London areas and great housing options at affordable prices. Rental yields for Poplar properties are as high as 6%, compared to the 3% London average.
The new Crossrail connection will shorten commute times even more and is bound to attract even more residents to Poplar. The area is also the focus of other community investments and investments in social housing that will increase its appeal.
Poplar offers inexpensive riverside properties, a young and dynamic community, plenty of restaurants and bars, and proximity to some of the most famous London landmarks. It should come as no surprise that property prices in the area are estimated to rise by at least 30% in the coming years. Securing a property now rather than later can still ensure a high-profit margin for investors.
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Poplar Living Conditions
Transport and accessibility is the category in which Poplar wins the most points. It has several DLR routes and access to the Underground Jubilee Line. Bus and road links are also very good and the new Crossrail connection will make commutes even shorter.
The Poplar community is made up of families living here for many years and it is ethnically diverse. They are proud of their Docklands heritage and are engaged in community development plans. Newer residents are young professionals working in Canary Wharf.
The property scene is dominated by high-rise buildings, council estate homes, and some period houses.
Safety is not an issue in Poplar, its crime rate is average. Parking, however, is a little expensive.
Photo by Aaron Huber on Unsplash
Poplar Restaurants & Cafes
Here is a list of eateries every foodie should try out in Poplar:
⦁ One Canada Square (One Canada Square, Canary Wharf) is an Art Deco restaurant that serves glamorous cocktails and fine seasonal cuisine
⦁ Sri Nam (10 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf) is an Oriental restaurant in the location of London’s Docklands
⦁ Bella Cosa (South Quay, Drewry House, Marsh Wall) offers great Italian cuisine in a glass-fronted location with amazing cityscape views of Canary Wharf
⦁ Biagio Pizzeria (3 Clove Crescent, Leamouth) is home to authentic pizzas and fresh pasta dishes
⦁ Browns Brasserie & Bar (West India Quay, Hertsmere Road) offers a blend of European brasserie dishes and an informal yet refined concept
⦁ Café Rouge (29-35 Mackenzie Walk, 10 Cabot Square) serves delicious foods, great wines, and a pleasant ambience the French way