Stratford City, on the outskirts of London, has seen some some major construction in the current millenium. The city played host to the 2012 summer Olympics one year after the opening of Westfield Stratford city, the third largest shopping mall in the UK and one of the largest in Europe.

We’d built up a big shopping list in the months before arriving in London and made two trips to Westfield Statford City, also visiting Olympic park while we were there.

Below are trip highlights from March 6th and 27th in Stratford City, UK. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a live map of our current route and most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps

3/6/2018

Stratford Station Position: 0 0.16, 51 32.54 We took the tube to Stratford to do some shopping at Westfield Stratford City. Stratford Station is massive with at least 17 platforms serving the London Underground and Overground systems, the Docklands Light Rail (DLR), the TfL commuter rail and the National Rail. What’s particularly amazing is there’s a second train station on the other side of the shopping center, Stratford International.

Westfield Stratford City Position: 0 0.18, 51 32.55 Westfield Stratford City is the third largest shopping mall in the UK and one of the largest in Europe. It opened in 2011 and appears to be thriving, unlike many US malls. On a Tuesday morning in early March, shoppers already were arriving just past opening time and it was crowded by noon. We’ve seen a lot of Westfield malls in our travels. Westfield Group was founded in Australia in 1960 and at its peak had one of the largest shopping mall portfolios in the world, with 103 malls worldwide and investment interests exceeding A$63 billion. The company has since separated into two groups, one that handles the Australian and New Zealand Westfield properties and the other that manages international operations.

Nespresso Position: 0 0.18, 51 32.55 This artistic display at the Nespresso store in Westfield Stratford City caught our eye.

Apple Store Position: 0 0.39, 51 32.62 The Apple store in Westfield Stratford City was packed, with a line-up outside to get in. That’s pretty amazing for mid-afternoon on a Tuesday in early March.

The Cow Position: 0 0.50, 51 32.53 We took a break from shopping with a pint at The Cow. From our table we could see the 2012 Summer Olympics Stadium, now home to West Ham United Football Club.

Loot Position: 0 0.33, 51 32.61 Jennifer with our loot for the day. We’d built up a big shopping list in the past few months.

3/27/2018

Hyundai Position: 0 0.34, 51 32.63 Back at Westfield Stratford City for another day of shopping. The mall is the third largest in the UK and even has an entire car dealership inside.

Joe Delucci’s Position: 0 0.48, 51 32.65 We got a kick out of these scooter seats at Joe Delucci’s.

Hawkin’s Bazaar Position: 0 0.49, 51 32.64 Hawkin’s Bazaar in Westfield Stratford City carries unusual products and gifts for every occasion. This one certainly qualifies as unusual.

WaterWorks River Position: 0 0.74, 51 32.42 Looking west along WaterWorks River between Westfield Stratford City and Olympic Stadium. The river runs through an artificial channel cut in 1743 to supply a reservoir for Saynes Mill in Stratford. It forms part of the Bow Back Rivers system that allow navigation between Hertford Castle Wier, about 20 miles north of London, into the River Thames via Limehouse Basin a short distance downriver from St. Katharine Docks.

Olympic Stadium Position: 0 0.74, 51 32.42 The 2012 Summer Olympics Stadium, now home to West Ham United Football Club.

Aquatics Center Position: 0 0.75, 51 32.41 The London Aquatics Center was built for the 2012 Summer Olympics and has 2 160ft (50m) swimming pools and an 82ft (25m) diving pool.

ArcelorMittal Orbit Position: 0 0.80, 51 32.35 The striking 375-ft (114.5m) ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture is the tallest in the UK and was built for the 2012 Olympics. You can ride an elevator to the top for sweeping views, and return down the same way or via a spiral staircase. The more adventurous can whisk down in 40 seconds through the 583ft (178m) slide, the world’s longest, or by freefall abseil.

Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map, with the complete log of our cruise. On the map page, clicking on a camera or text icon will display a picture and/or log entry for that location, and clicking on the smaller icons along the route will display latitude, longitude and other navigation data for that location. And a live map of our current route and most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.