Opportunity for ice cream and mobile café concessions in parks

Tower Hamlets has many beautiful parks and open spaces used by both residents and visitors to the borough.

We have a great opportunity for local businesses to trade in our parks for the summer season in 2024.

We are seeking to license:

- ice cream vans and

- mobile café operators at fixed pitches. 

We have opportunities in parks across the borough for vendors who have Public Liability Insurance and Food Hygiene Certificate.

If you are interested in applying, please email parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Playgrounds and Inclusive Play

We have a wide variety of playgrounds in parks and open spaces across the borough.

In our playgrounds you will find high-quality play equipment for children of all ages. Our playgrounds are safe spaces where all children can take part in creative and imaginative play.

Safety inspections are regularly carried out on all play equipment in line with current legislation.

Equipment in our playgrounds is suitable for children aged four and below (toddlers) and five and above (juniors). Equipment at adventure playgrounds is suitable for ages 8 – 15 (25 SEND).

Adults must be accompanied by children in designated play areas.

Adults must not use children’s play equipment for any purpose, including fitness training.

 Find a list below of all our playgrounds and play spaces.

For more information about any of our play spaces contact parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk or 020 7364 5227.

Play facilities

1 of 9
Bartlett Park inclusive playground
2 of 9
Helling Street playground
3 of 9
Millwall Park playground
4 of 9
Poplar Recreation Ground inclusive playground
5 of 9
Poplar Recreation Ground play area
6 of 9
Ropemakers Fields playground
7 of 9
Wapping Gardens playground
8 of 9
Weavers Field playground
9 of 9
Whitehorse adventure playground

Bartlett Park inclusive playground
Helling Street playground
Millwall Park playground
Poplar Recreation Ground inclusive playground
Poplar Recreation Ground play area
Ropemakers Fields playground
Wapping Gardens playground
Weavers Field playground
Whitehorse adventure playground

Adventure Playgrounds

There are three adventure playgrounds in Tower Hamlets.

An adventure playground is a special type of playground where children can have fun, play freely, and take risks within a safe and inclusive environment. Adventure playgrounds are staffed by trained playworkers.

The role of the playworker is to support children and young people in the creation of a space where they can play. Playworkers work within the play work principles.

All equipment in the Glamis, Weavers and Whitehorse Adventure Playgrounds is accessible to children and young people with additional needs (SEND) aged 8 – 25. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Children of any age with additional needs must be accompanied by an adult.

Please check the list below for addresses and facilities at our adventure playgrounds. For more information about adventure play contact parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk or call 020 7364 5227.

Whitehorse Adventure Playground

Adventure Play sessions take place 3 – 6pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in term time. Booking is not required but spaces are limited. 

To take part in these sessions parents and carers will need to register their chidlren. This can be done using this form before you arrive.

All those in attendance need to follow our promises and the play work principles throughout their visit to the playground.

Inclusive Play

An inclusive playground is a space is where children of all abilities can play. The equipment gives them a rich range of physical, sensory, and social experiences.

Inclusive playgrounds allow children of all abilities to play together and create a nurturing environment for all.

Several of our playgrounds are fully inclusive, with all equipment accessible to children with additional needs. Other playgrounds have some inclusive equipment. This means the equipment is accessible to children and young people with additional needs up to the age of 21. Please see the list below for further information about our inclusive playgrounds.

Multi-use games areas

A Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) is an area with line markings for different sports including football, basketball and netball. Some MUGA's also have basketball rings or goal posts and colourful markings for games like snakes and ladders and hopscotch.

Playgrounds in Tower Hamlets

Name

Inclusive playgrounds

Facilities

Further information

Allen Gardens, Buxton Street, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

 

Archibald Open Space, Wellington Way, E3

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Multi-use games area

 

 

Bartlett Park, Lindfield Street, E14

Fully inclusive playground 

All equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

Step free and level surfaces.

Accessible and DDA compliant toilet.  

Beaumont Square Gardens, Beaumont Square, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

 

Belgrave Street Open Space, Belgrave Street, E1

 

Play equipment for toddlers

Play equipment for juniors

We have updated the play equipment including replacing the spider and net.  We have added new pieces of play equipment which include pieces suitable for toddlers.  Some of the equipment is made from recycled materials.

Belgrave Street Open Space is managed by the council on behalf of the King George’s Field, Mile End Charity, a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1077859

Bethnal Green Gardens, Cambridge Heath Road, E2

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

Multi-use games area

 

Brickfield Gardens, Southwater Close, E14

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

 

Bromley Recreation Ground (also known as Bob's Park), St. Leonards Street, E3

Inclusive play equipment in this playground

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Inclusive play equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

This park is managed by the Bromley By Bow Centre.

This park has a Green Flag award.

Ford Square Gardens, Ford Square, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

 

Furze Green Open Space, Furze Green Road, E14

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

 

Glamis Adventure Playground, Glamis Road, E1

 

Adventure playground for ages 8 and above

 

This playground is managed by Shadwell Community Project.  Visit their website for more information about play sessions. 

Gosling Gardens,  Bigland Street, London E1

 

**Closed from end of January 2024 for refurbishment work**

 

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

Multi-use games area

We are refurbishing the playground and a new junior and toddler playground is being installed.  At least 50% of the equipment will be suitable for children with additional needs. 

Work will start at the end of January 2024.  The park will be closed while the work takes place.

Grove Hall Park, Fairfield Road, E3

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

Multi-use games area

 

Hellings Street, Hellings Street, E1

Inclusive play equipment in this playground

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Inclusive play equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

Multi-use games area

This playground was refurbished in 2020

Ion Square Gardens, Warner Place, E2

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

 

Jolly’s Green, Joshua Street, E14 

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

 

King Edward Memorial Park, Glamis Road, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

Multi-use games area

The MUGA is currently closed due to the Tideway project in the park. 

Langdon Park, Bright Street, E14

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

 

Leven Road Outdoor Space, Leven Road, E14

 

Multi-use games area

 

Masthouse Terrace, E14 (also known as St Andrews Wharf)

 

Play area for juniors 

Skate park

Multi-use games area

 

Meath Gardens, Smart Street, E2

Inclusive play equipment in this playground

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Inclusive play equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

Multi-use games area

A new playground was installed in 2020

This park has a Green Flag award

Middleton Green, Middleton Street, E2

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Multi-use games area

Children’s games markings on MUGA

 

Mile End Park, Children’s Pavilion, Locksley Street, E14

Fully inclusive playground

All equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

Interactive water feature (summer season only)

Children's pavilion with indoor play area for age 0 to 4.

New playground equipment installed in 2021.

Accessible and DDA compliant toilets.  

This park has a Green Flag award.

Mile End Park Adventure Park, Burdett Road, E14

 

Adventure park for ages five plus at the Urban Adventure Base

BMX track

Fenced multi-use games area

Unfenced multi-use games area

 

Mile End Park, Brickfield Gardens, Copenhagen Place, E14

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

 The playground will be fully replaced in early 2024.  Find out about consultation events.

Mile End Park Skate Park, St Paul’s Way, E14

 

Skate park

 

Suitable for all ages. Please follow guidance on site for use of this area.

Mile End Park Ecology Park, Haverfield Road, E3

 

Play area for toddlers

New environmentally friendly play equipment installed in 2022.

Mile End Park Playground Wennington Green, E3

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors 

The play area is behind the active zone

Millwall Park, Eastferry Road E14

Fully Inclusive playground

All equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

Sensory and nature space.

Children's centre for ages four and below

A new playground was opened in autumn 2021.

Step free and level surfaces.

This park has a Green Flag Award

Poplar Recreation Ground, Hale Street, E14

Fully inclusive playground

All equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

New play equipment installed in 2021. 

This park has a Green Flag award.

Pennyfields Open Space, Pennyfields, E14

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Multi-use games area  

 

Prospect Park, Devons Road, E14

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Multi-use games area 

 

Ravenscroft Park, Ravenscroft Street, E2

Inclusive play equipment in this playground

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Multi use games area

New playground installed in 2021

Ropewalk Gardens, Golding Street, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

 

Ropemakers Fields, Narrow Street, E14

Inclusive play equipment in this playground

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Inclusive play equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

A new playground was installed in 2019

Rounton Road Open Space, E3

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

 

St. George in the East Churchyard and Gardens, Cannon Street, Road, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

This park has a Green Flag award.

St James Gardens, Ratcliffe Lane, E14

Inclusive play equipment in this playground Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

A full refurbishment of the toddler and junior playground in winter 2023.   We have installed new play equipment, including accessible equipment for children with extra needs. 

St. John’s Park, Manchester Road, E14

Inclusive play equipment in this playground

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Inclusive play equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

Multi-use games area

 

St Paul's Shadwell, 302 The Highway, E1

  Play area for toddlers  A new playground was installed in 2022

 

Shacklewell Street Ball Games Area, E2

 

Multi-use games area

 

Schoolhouse Lane Pitch, Cable Street, E1

 

 Multi-use games area

 

Shandy Park, Hartford Street, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Multi-use games area

 

Sir John McDougall Gardens, Westferry Road, E14

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Multi-use games area

This park has a Green Flag Award

 

 

Stepney Green Park, Stepney Way, E1

Inclusive play equipment in this playground

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Inclusive play equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 21

The junior playground will be closed for a maximum of 35 days starting Tuesday 21 November 2023.  This is to allow pest control to carry out work in the area.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused .

New playground installed in 2019

This park has a Green Flag award.

Swedenborg Gardens, Wellclose Street, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

 

Trafalgar Gardens, White Horse Lane, E1

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

 

Vallance Gardens, Vallance Road, E2

 

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

 

Victoria Park Playgrounds, West side, E3

 

The V & A building

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Near to toilets and the Pavilion cafe

This park holds a Green Flag Award

Victoria Park Playgrounds, East side, E3

 

The Hub play area for juniors

The splash pool play area (open from 11am to 5pm in the summer)

Skate Park

 

 

Wapping Gardens, Tench Street, E1

Inclusive play equipment in this playground

Play area for toddlers

Play area for juniors

Inclusive play equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

Multi-use games areas

Playground refurbished in 2020

Weavers Field, Mape Street, E2

Fully inclusive playground 

All equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 – 25 (SEND)

 A new fully inclusive playground opened in 2021.

This park holds a Green Flag Award

Weavers Adventure playground, Viaduct Street, E2

 Fully inclusive adventure playground

All equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 8 – 25 (SEND)

A new fully inclusive adventure playground opened in 2021.  This playground is not managed by Tower Hamlets Council. Please visit the Weavers Field Adventure Playground website for more information.

Whitehorse Adventure Playground, Whitehorse Road, E1



Fully inclusive adventure playground

All equipment in this playground is accessible to children and young people with additional needs aged 8 – 25 (SEND)

Multi-use games areas

Children’s games markings on MUGA

Indoor Community space

A new fully inclusive adventure playground opened in summer 2021.

Accessible toilets

Whitehorse Adventure Playground is managed by the council on behalf of the King George’s Field, Mile End Charity, a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1077859.

White Horse Lane open space, Whitehorse Lane, E1

Inclusive play equipment in this playground    A new infants playground opened in summer 2022.