The 'Entertainment' List

Past & present Places of Entertainment and leisure in and around Newham.
These are one of the more 'permanent' features of a place like Newham,
and often hold a place in the memory of those that live or have lived there.

This is an on-going project and some placess may still need be to be found and added.

Name Location Comments
Balaam Street Recreation Ground E13, Plaistow. Balaam St. - Public park..
Balaam Street Swimming Baths E13, Plaistow. Balaam St. - rebuilt 1980s.
Beckton District Park E6, East Ham. Stansfield Road. - large public park.
(New) Beckton Park E6, East Ham. Savage Gardens. - public park.
Beckton Lido E16, Custom House. Beckton Road. (now Newham Way) - Large open-air swimming pool, set in Beckton Park, closed 1980s. Demolished 1990s.
Beckton Road Recreation Ground E16, Custom House. (now) Newham Way - Public park. also know known as Canning Town Recreation Ground.
The Borough Theatre E15, Stratford. Demolished - High St. junction with Bridge Road. Music Hall. opened 1886. Became Rex Cinema, then a bingo club.
Brampton Park E6, East Ham. Lonsdale Avenue. - public park.
The Broadway Cinema E15, Stratford. Demolished - Tramway Avenue. built 1927, claimed to be largest in country. renamed Gaumont. Closed 1960.
Canning Town Town Hall E16. Canning Town. Barking Road. - Dance and boxing venue in certain eras. Given over to 'Community Links' 1990s.
The Carlton Cinema E6, East Ham. Demolished. - Green Street, Upton Park.
Central Park E6, East Ham. High St. South. - Venue for Newham's 'Town Shows' and yearly music festivals.
The Century Cinema E15, Stratford. see - Kinema
East Ham Swimming Baths E6, East Ham. High St South. - Adjacent to Town Hall, close for a period 1990s, rebuilt.
East Ham Town Hall E6, East Ham. High St South. - Venue for dances, etc.
The Empire Theatre E15, Stratford. Demolished 1958 - The Broadway. Built 1898 Music Hall. WWII bombed.
The Essoldo Cinema E16, Canning Town. see - Relf's Music Hall.
Flanders Playing Field E6, East Ham. Flanders Road. - public park.
Forest Gate Public Hall E7, Forest Gate. Woodgrange Road. - Built 1902. Contained a theatre called the 'Grand'.
Gale's Picture House E15, Stratford. Demolished - High St. former factory (Volckman's confectionery). A fire in 1908 caused stampede. forcing closure of several unsafe local cinemas.
The Gaumont Cinema E15, Stratford. see - Broadway Cinema.
Gooseley's Playing Field E6, East Ham. Gooseley Lane. - public park.
The Granada Cinema E6, East Ham. Barking Rd. - Venue for 'pop' acts including The Beatles (twice), now a Bingo Hall.
The Grand E7, Forest Gate. see - Forest Gate Public Hall
The Grande Cinema E13, Plaistow. Barking Rd. - Damaged WWII. now a carpet warehouse.
The Greengate Cinema E13, Plaistow. Barking Rd. - Later the Rio Cinema. Built 1912 - 1960? became snooker hall then a religious premises.
Hermit Road Recreation Ground E13, Plaistow. Hermit Road. - Public park. inc: 'The Ark in the Park' children's play scheme - @1990s.
The Imperial Cinema E16, Canning Town. see - Relf's Music Hall.
The Kinema E15, Stratford. Demolished 1990s - West Ham Lane.- later the Century Cinema & bingo hall. built 1922.
The Little Theatre E13, Plaistow. Greengate St. - In YMCA building, built in 1921.
Lyle Park E16, Silvertown. Knights Road - Riverside public park, land donated by sugar company..
MacMillan Stadium E13, Plaistow. Off Prince Regents Lane. - Athletics venue.
Memorial Recreation Ground E15, Stratford. Memorial Avenue. - Founded by Arnold Hills, owner of Thames Ironworks, for multi sports use by local people.  Close to West Ham tube station.  
The New Imperial E16, Canning Town. see - Relf's Music Hall.
North Woolwich Gardens E16, North Woolwich. Ferry Approach - Riverside public park. became notorious in late 19th century, closed and re-opened later as Royal Victoria Gardens.
The Odeon Cinema E13, Plaistow. Demolished 1960s?. - Barking Road between Alexandra Street / Star Lane (now Newhaven Lane), WWII bomb damaged and never rebuilt 
The Odeon Cinema E6, East Ham. Barking Road. - Closed for years 1980s, reopened as an ''Indian' cinema.
The Odeon Cinema E7, Forest Gate. Romford Road. - Opened 1927. bomb damaged WWII and re-opened to 1970s. now closed?
The Palace E6, East Ham. Demolished. - High St North, Variety Music Hall.
Plashet Park E6, East Ham. Plashet Grove. - large public park, which for many years included a small 'zoo'.
The Queens Cinema E7, Forest Gate. Demolished. - Romford Road. 1914 - 1941.
The Rathbone Cinema E16, Canning Town. Demolished. - Rathbone St, built circa 1909.
Relf's Music Hall E16, Canning Town. Demolished 1967. - Victoria Dock Road, Formerly 'Town Of Ayr' PH. enlarged to a Music Hall 1875. renamed 'Royal Albert music hall, rebuilt 1909,renamed 'New Imperial' , burnt out 1931, rebuilt & became Essoldo Cinema 1958 then a bingo hall. Closed 1960s
The Rex Cinema E15, Stratford. see - Borough Theatre
The Rio Cinema E13, Plaistow. see - Greengate Cinema
Romford Road Swimming Baths E15?, Stratford. Romford Road. - Swimming, various baths, and dances / shows at various times.
Royal Albert Music Hall E16, Canning Town. see - Relf's Music Hall.
Royal Victoria Gardens E16, North Woolwich. See - North Woolwich Gardens
Showcase Cinemas E6, Beckton. - Multiplex cinema complex.
Star Lane Recreation Ground E16, Canning Town. - Public open space, designated a 'Park' 1990s..
Star Park E16, Canning Town. see - Star Lane Recreation Ground..
Stratford Town Hall E15, Stratford. Broadway. - Venue for dances, exhibitions and shows
Sweetingham's Cinema E16, Canning Town. Demolished - Rathbone Street
Thames Barrier Park E16, Canning Town. Off North Woolwich Road. - Riverside park overlooking the barrier.
The Troxy Cinema? Info wanted Demolished -
The Theatre Royal E15, Stratford. Gerry Raffles Square - Built 1884 in Salway Road. 'cinema shows' were given as early as 1897, and at other periods before WWI but only as support for stage items.
Wanstead Park / Flats E7, Forest Gate. Capel Road / Centre Road. - Southern part of the 'flats' was designated as part of West /East Ham in early times.
West Ham Park E15, Stratford. Portway / Upton Lane - Public Park
West Ham Public Gardens E15, Stratford. West Ham Lane.
West Ham Stadium E16, Custom House. Demolished - built 1928. Speedway / Dog Racing venue up to 1970s.
West Ham Football Stadium E6, East Ham. Green Street - 'Upton Park', 'The Boleyn Ground' are alternative names for West Ham United's home ground.

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