It may only be a mile and a quarter long, but Green Street, ('G Street' to locals) which runs between Romford Road and Barking Road in the London Borough of Newham, is arguably the most cosmopolitan street in the whole of London.
Less famous than its East End counterpart Brick Lane, Green Street too is renowned for its Asian restaurants, but is also home to a diverse multicultural community of shopkeepers and customers. Dubbed ‘the Bond Street of the East End’, Green Street truly reflects the wonderful diversity that makes Newham one of the most vibrant multicultural areas of the world.
The history of Green Street dates back to Tudor England and references to the age can be found in the many adjoining streets, many of which are named after the wives of Henry VIII. It is Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, who has the most association with the area however, giving her name to ‘The Boleyn’, the area at the Barking Road end of the street, as well as to ‘the Boleyn Ground’, the official grounds of West Ham ('The Hammers') United FC.
The Boleyn Ground takes its name from the imposing 16th century house owned by Richard Breame, a servant of Henry VIII’s, that stood on Green Street until it was demolished in 1880.
Though there is no evidence to support it, local legend has it that Breame’s ‘Green Street House’ is where Henry courted the young Anne, which may have contributed to the residence being known as ‘Boleyn Castle’.
Local mythology also has it that Anne used to love to ride in the area, but after a heavy fall from her horse she cursed the spot she landed on and vowed never to return. Rumour has it that the spot that so disgruntled the future Queen is now the site of the Champion’s statue on the Barking Road!
Heavily bombed during the Second World War, Green Street experienced major regeneration during the 1950s and 1960s, where it became home to some of the finest Jewish tailors in London. Situated at Upon Park Tube on the District Line, Green Street is now perhaps best known as the seat of West Ham United football team.
But Green Street is also home to a buzzing commercial shopping centre, boasting over 400 independent shops as well as the unique Queen’s Market, a street market established by an Act of Parliament 100 years ago and now host to over a hundred small shops and stalls offering a bargain range of goods and produce from all over the world.
From sari and jewellery stores to East End pie and mash shops, African Caribbean hairdressers and Eastern European delis, if it’s not on Green Street, it probably hasn’t been invented!