Stratford Location Guide

A major East London transport hub close to the Olympic Park and Westfield, with fast connections to the City and Canary Wharf.

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At a glance

Stratford — At a glance

Stratford is a major transport hub in East London, close to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and East Bank. It suits students who want fast connections to central London, the City and Canary Wharf, with plenty of shopping, leisure and green space nearby.

Typical area: East London (around Stratford town centre and the Olympic Park)
Main stations: Stratford (Tube, DLR, Overground, National Rail, Elizabeth line) and Stratford International (high-speed rail)
Zones: Stratford station sits in Zones 2–3 (cost and journey times vary by your exact route)
Best for: strong transport links, modern neighbourhoods, easy access to shopping and parks

Transport and travel

Stratford — Transport and travel

Stratford is one of London’s best-connected stations. Your exact journey depends on your destination and the lines you use. The examples below are station-to-station, off-peak.

Stratford → Liverpool Street: about 8 minutes (National Rail)
Stratford → Oxford Circus: about 20 minutes (Central line, direct)
Stratford → Canary Wharf: about 11 minutes (Jubilee line, direct)
Stratford → Paddington: about 18 minutes (Elizabeth line, direct)
High-speed option: Stratford International → St Pancras International: about 7 minutes

Peak times and service changes can affect journey times. We recommend checking a live journey planner once you have your host address.

Local character and safety

Stratford — Local character and safety

Stratford town centre (around the station and Westfield) is lively, especially at commuting peaks and weekends. A short distance away, many residential streets and purpose-built neighbourhoods feel calmer.

As with any large city, sensible precautions help:

Keep valuables secure, especially in crowded areas and on public transport
Use well-lit main routes at night and be aware of your surroundings
If you feel uncomfortable, move to a busier area (for example near a station entrance or a shop)

Food and day-to-day living

Stratford — Food and day-to-day living

Stratford has a wide mix of places to eat and shop, from food courts and chain restaurants to independent cafés and local takeaways. You’ll also find a good choice of supermarkets and convenience stores in and around the town centre.

Food options in the wider area often include:

Middle Eastern and Turkish-style cafés and bakeries
South Asian options (for example Indian and Pakistani restaurants)
East Asian options (for example noodles, ramen and Korean-style eateries)
Caribbean takeaways and grills
Vegetarian/vegan-friendly cafés (availability varies by venue)

If food preferences are important to you (for example a specific cuisine or dietary requirement), include this in your application so we can place you as appropriately as possible.

Local highlights

Stratford — Local highlights

Up to five places students often enjoy in and around Stratford:

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – walking and cycling routes, sports venues and regular events
Westfield Stratford City – shopping, cinemas and lots of places to eat
East Bank – a growing culture and education quarter (arts venues and university campuses)
Victoria Park – a large nearby park for running, picnics and weekend strolls
London Stadium – major sports and concert venue (event days can feel busier nearby)

Who this area tends to suit

Students who want very strong transport links and shorter journeys to the City, central London and Canary Wharf
Students who like having shops, gyms and leisure options nearby
Students who are comfortable with a busier town-centre environment

Property prices (guide only)

Property prices in Stratford are generally mid‑range for London: often better value than many Central and West London areas, but higher than the UK average. (Guide only.)

Apartments (flats): around £350,000–£550,000 (roughly 80–180% above the UK average flat price).
Family homes (houses): around £450,000–£650,000+ (roughly 70–140% above the UK average house price).

Prices vary by exact location (for example Zone 2 vs Zone 3), property size and condition.

Things to consider

It can feel busy around Stratford station and Westfield, particularly at peak commuting times and on weekends.
Major events at London Stadium can increase footfall in the area on event days.
Some streets are quieter than others — if you prefer a more residential feel, tell us and we will advise on homes that tend to suit that preference.

FAQs

Is Stratford a good area for students?

It can be a good fit if you want fast transport links and the convenience of shops, leisure facilities and parks nearby.

Is Stratford safe?

Stratford includes busy town-centre areas and quieter residential streets. As in any large city, follow normal city precautions (for example keep valuables secure and use well‑lit routes at night).

How long is the commute to central London?

Many central destinations are reachable in around 20–30 minutes from Stratford station. Exact times depend on your destination, your route and the time of day.

Can you place me away from the busiest streets?

Often, yes. Tell us what you prefer (for example quieter residential streets), and we’ll advise on areas and homes that tend to match that preference.

Homestay accommodation in Stratford

We have host families in and around Stratford. We interview, vet and visit our host families in their homes.

Stratford is Zones 2–3, so homestays here are either Standard or Superior depending on exact location. Transport connections are hard to beat — the Jubilee line, Central line, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth line all serve the area.

Your placement includes:

A host family in an inspected home (vetted through home visits and reference checks)
Your own room with Wi-Fi, bed linen and towels
A meal plan of your choice: self-catering, bed and breakfast, or half board
Office support during your stay and an out-of-hours emergency contact

The area has changed a lot since the 2012 Olympics. There is a large Westfield shopping centre, the Olympic Park, and new housing alongside the older residential streets. The Elizabeth line makes it quick to reach Liverpool Street, Paddington and Heathrow without changing. Hosts are a mix of families and professionals.

Apply for a homestay Check prices

Useful links

If you know your dates and your school or work location, you can apply for a homestay online. We usually respond within one to two working days.

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Homestay options for this area

Explore the homestay categories available in this part of London.

Superior Homestay Zone 2 and 3

Zones 2–3 — Well-connected suburban areas with excellent transport to Central London.

Standard Homestay Zone 3+

Zones 3–5 — Safe, suburban areas with larger homes and green spaces. Our best value option.

Popular with students at

Oxford International English — Greenwich Best match Queen Mary University of London Best match Ravensbourne University London Best match Twin English Centre Best match University of East London Best match University of Greenwich Best match City, University of London Goldsmiths, University of London King's College London — Guy's Campus London South Bank University Malvern House London

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In their words...

“We have been working with London Homestays since 2011. With their support, we have managed to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. We strongly recommend London Homestays to anyone who’s looking for quality, reliability and exceptional customer service.”
Alex Fernandes, Accommodation & Visa Compliance Manager, Malvern House London
“Having worked with them since 2013, I can state that London Homestays have always taken care to match our students with suitable host families. They have a very friendly yet professional approach to their work. Our students have enjoyed staying at their homestays. Overall, students say that their host families are attentive and welcoming.”
Carl Roberton, Principal, Stafford House School of English
“We at Burlington School have worked with London Homestays since 2014, and I professionally know the team since 2009 when I worked for another company in the education and accommodation industry. Having had the opportunity to work with London Homestays since the company started operations in London, all of the enquiries have been dealt with in a dedicated and timely manner, the team members are customer-oriented and always provide an exceptional accommodation experience to our students. I have no hesitation to recommend London Homestays as excellent accommodation providers and business partners.”
Eliane Tomasi, Accommodation & Welfare Officer, Burlington School
“We have placed students with London Homestays for over ten years. The host families suit what our students actually need, and when something comes up during the stay, it gets sorted quickly rather than passed between people. They make everything very easy, with detailed host profiles showing transport links to our school, and a thorough matching process. Our office always knows where a student is and who to call. Happy to recommend.”
Ewa Pietreniuk, Head of Partnerships, Speak Up London
“We partnered with London Homestays to help us verify and assess homestay hosts we were recruiting for our international students in Glasgow. Their expertise in vetting hosts to British Council standards gave us real confidence in the quality and safety of the accommodation we were able to offer. The team were professional, responsive and a pleasure to work with throughout. We would highly recommend London Homestays to other colleges and universities looking for a knowledgeable and reliable accommodation partner.”
Lucia Murray-Rapuano, Global Skills Development Manager, City of Glasgow College
“Cooperation with London Homestays is always great! We highly appreciate proactive approach and effort to ensure the best possible services for our groups. We always had a great clean accommodation, friendly family and smart local organisers. Students of our groups were satisfied and they enjoyed staying in London very much. We would like to recommend this agency. The whole team is very kind.”
Miroslava Foltýnová, Owner, CK Bus Tours.
“We offer internships in London to European students and looked for a reliable partner to provide accommodation to our candidates. We have been very happy with the services provided by London Homestays, as have our candidates, as they have always received quickly information on families, the possibility to book a room in a short delay and also a good quality of families. I would recommend without any doubt this agency. The team is very professional, efficient and friendly :). We hope to send new trainees soon!”
Stéphanie Frassanito, Program Manager, Work Overseas
“Our school from the Czech Republic has had great experiences with London Homestays. The host families were generally welcoming, kind, and accommodating. The service provided by the coordinator Kate O’Connor and other admin staff is second to none.”
Kate Powers, Vice Principal for English Studies, Sunny Canadian International School
It was an amazing experience, I’ve found a new home where I feel as comfortable as I do in my own home!
Laura, student from France: Homestay booking in Zone 2
“When my children went off to university and got married, my husband and I were empty nesters rattling around. We have an empty bedroom and I quite enjoy keeping it fresh for new students who come to stay with us both short and long term. Invariably, they show us a lot of respect. Coming to London to study or to work as interns is a big adventure for them and I enjoy settling them in and seeing them flourish. Some return or recommend to their friends to come and stay with us. London Homestays are a great organisation to deal with – good at communicating and highly ethical.”
Cathy, Homestay host in Colindale, London
“My first student has just left to return home and I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting her. It has been a lovely experience for me to help her with her English and learn about her Japanese culture.
I was nervous and apprehensive at first but it was so worthwhile and I look forward to continue hosting in the future. It has given me a boost knowing that I can give someone an opportunity that they may not have been able to afford without using London Homestays”
Audrey, Homestay host in Tooting, London
My homestay host Debra transformed my stay into the most amazing experience of my whole life!
Florian, student from Belgium: Homestay booking in Zone 3
“London Homestays has been an excellent accommodation partner for our students. The team is always helpful, responsive and highly professional. They consistently match students with the right hosts based on individual requirements, ensuring a positive and comfortable homestay experience.”
Ellie Fordham, Student Services Manager, Stafford House
My homestay host is a lovely lady, she was very helpful and genuine. London Homestays offer an excellent, fast service and quality accommodation. I would definitely recommend to my friends!
Shelaine, student from Canada: Homestay booking in Zone 2
Daphne was a really nice and welcoming host, I really enjoyed my stay with her and her family. Thank you London Homestays for connecting me with her!
Ben, researcher from USA: Superior homestay booking
My stay with my host family makes my time at UK much more fun and exciting! Life is happening!
Bao, student from China: Homestay booking in Zone 4+
“Really, we are very happy with our room at the residence. James in the residences team has helped us with all aspects of our booking and we would like to say, big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Dmitriy and Maria, two students from Russia: Residence booking
“I felt completely at ease and very comfortable with my host! She was really kind…many thanks!”
Doris, student from Italy: Superior homestay in Zone 2
“Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting (SCIC) has worked with Home from Home many times and they have provided a very professional service.”
Chan Sen, Director at Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting
“I highly recommend London Homestays! We have been working with them for a while now, and their professionalism and the quality of their homestays have always been exceptional. One of the homestays we collaborated with was so impressive that we even shared it on our YouTube channel to give our students a glimpse of the warm and welcoming environment they can expect. Thank you, London Homestays, for providing such amazing services. We look forward to continuing our partnership!”
Tuba Akca, Owner at Tubik Academy
The London Homestays portal is amazing. You can manage availability, update photos, and see when you’ve been paid — something I’m always chasing the other agencies. Can’t recommend it highly enough!
Sharon, host in Finchley
“I have been a host for London Homestays for over 8 years. The team is professional, friendly and always quick to respond. They do a great job matching students with hosts and making the whole process smooth and straightforward. The students I’ve hosted have been respectful and lovely to have in my home. I would happily recommend London Homestays to anyone considering becoming a host.”
Sarah-Jayne, Walthamstow — host since 2018
“London Homestays are very pleasant and put you at ease.”
Pat & Clyde, hosts in Tooting, London
“The team — especially James and Ellie — were incredibly responsive, patient and kind. They answered all my questions and checked with hosts about everything from commute times to where I’d store my bicycle. They even sent a Chinese translation of their first email. I felt truly welcomed.”
Ruoxi, student from China