Newham

Newham is located in east London and takes in communities such as Plaistow, West Ham and Upton, with the Thames at its southern border.

It’s here that the Royal Docks operated from the 1850s until 1981. In their heyday, they provided many jobs, leading to the growth of Newham’s working-class community.

This influenced the borough’s politics, with West Ham South being the first seat in the country to elect a Labour MP. It’s also where a meeting by striking workers in 1889 led to the formation of what became known as the National Union of General Workers.

The Royal Docks area has now been redeveloped, partly as London City Airport, opened in 1987. Further regeneration transformed the Stratford neighbourhood for the London 2012 Olympics. The purpose-built Olympic Park continues its legacy as a home of London sport today.