About East Ham in London
East Ham is a town in Greater London, England. It is located 10.5 miles (16.9 km) east of Charing Cross. East Ham is part of the London Borough of Newham and is one of the major commercial centres in the borough. It is also a residential area, with a population of over 100,000 people.
East Ham has a long history dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It was originally known as Hamme, and later as East Hamme. The name East Hamme was first recorded in 1254, and refers to the fact that it was the easternmost settlement in the parish of West Ham.
The town developed rapidly in the 19th century as a result of the growth of the London docks and the railways. East Ham station was opened in 1858, and the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway arrived in 1884. The docks closed in 1981, but East Ham remains a busy commercial centre, with a large shopping centre and a thriving market.
East Ham is also home to a number of parks and open spaces, including Central Park, which is one of the largest parks in London. There are also several museums and galleries in the town, including the Museum of London Docklands and the Whitechapel Gallery.
