Barking & Dagenham’s got everything you need for a memorable London visit

Barking and Dagenham’s a great borough to visit if you want to experience city life at its very best

Extensive art galleries, libraries and rolling countryside for some meandering walks.

This is just the beginning of the impressive array of facilities that Barking and Dagenham has to offer as somewhere to stay during the London Olympics. The borough is in easy reach of the main Olympic complex in East London, where thousands of athletes will participate in a contest to become the best.

There’s records to be broken and amazing displays of  physical strength to admire. Who knows, watching some of the world’s finest athletes win medals for the country might inspire you to participate in some of the sports taking place in your local area, too!

Back to Barking and Dagenham now though, and just some of the places you can visit include the Redbridge Museum, where there are plenty of exhibits to explore. Some recent events that were held in conjunction with the London Summer Games included an exploration of teen life in the area spanning the past 60 years.

Let’s get sporty in Barking and Dagenham!

Barking and Dagenham is in close reach to the leading venues for the London Olympics – so there is no excuse for missing out on history in the making!

With comfortable, luxurious accommodation that’s spacious and well-served by public transport routes, you might wish to visit the Olympic Park to watch the cycling, the athletics or the basketball.

Visiting the sporting events in Newham isn’t an experience to be missed by any means. The opening ceremony is going to be an extravagant celebration of London life; the ultimate starting pistol to what is going to be a four-week festival of sport. Over 8,000 people are also going to be bestowed with the honour of carrying the Olympic torch. The relay, which will begin briefly in Greece before coming to the UK for 10 weeks, is going to be just 60 minutes away for 95% of the British population.

If you love fireworks, the opening ceremony is a must-see. By booking tickets, you’ll be able to hop on the bus or the train to attend from the borough of Barking and Dagenham. Indeed, you may remember seeing a bright red double-decker bus during the handover ceremony in Beijing – a symbol of transition when the 2008 Summer Olympics ended. Here, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson was provided with the Olympic flag – a sure sign of the exciting event in the UK ahead of us.

Best London holiday accommodation

Where should you go while staying in Barking and Dagenham?

Not only are you minutes away from the countless exciting attractions in Central London, but many vibrant venues and exhibits call Barking and Dagenham home, too.

This means that you’ll never be too far away from a fascinating day out, or from enjoying a romantic meal with your loved ones.

If you love to visit parks that are brimming with rare plant life and horticulture, consider visiting the National Trust’s Rainham Hall. Tranquil gardens encompass a beautiful building that represents some of the finest architecture from the recent centuries.

In addition to well-known brands such as Frankie’s and Benny’s, and Nando’s, independent restaurants and takeaways such as Rayyan and the IF bar will complete your evening. Whether you want a slap-up Indian meal and a DVD in your accommodation, or to have a few cocktails with your friends and family while you reminisce about the day’s sport you enjoyed, towns such as Ilford in Barking and Dagenham will satisfy your demands.

Transport in Barking and Dagenham: Things to consider

Barking and Dagenham is served by an extensive list of bus routes that extend through Central London and into other boroughs.

Some of the most popular services cover Stratford, Romford, Rainham and Ilford, with links to the London Underground along most bus routes. If you’re partying for the night, the 24-hour EL1 service will connect you from Ilford to the Thames View Estate.

For national and international train services, consider St. Pancras station for continental Europe, or London Euston for all stops to Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and the North in general. For long-haul flights, you’ll usually be arriving and departing from London Heathrow and London Gatwick. Most budget airlines operate from Stansted or Luton, with a brand-new airport set to serve Olympic visitors in 2012.