walk/tour
Aberfeldy Neighbourhood Centre, Aberfeldy St, E14 0XA
Join artist Matt Ponting for a creative journey through Poplar where vibrant murals, bustling markets and hidden stories bring this fascinating and fast-evolving neighbourhood in Tower Hamlets to life.
Canning Town, East India
115
Tours ends: Eastenders Pie & Mash, 171 E India Dock Rd E14 0EA
Tour route takes place on pavements.
Walking tour
14:00–16:00
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Discover the East End through an artist’s eye. This immersive sketching tour invites urban explorers and curious visitors alike to capture the spirit of the East End through drawing and storytelling. From vibrant community murals to a hidden Banksy, explore iconic local spots including Chrisp Street Market, Aberfeldy Street, considered the most colourful street in the UK and a stop at the legendary EastEnders Café for traditional pie and mash.
Whether you're an experienced sketcher or simply love discovering London’s hidden corners, this tour offers a fresh perspective on a neighbourhood rich in culture, history and creativity. No drawing experience is required and all materials are provided.
Newham-based conversationist and community artist Matt Ponting transforms green spaces and urban landscapes into places everyone can enjoy. His work invites people to rediscover the nature, heritage and community stories woven into their surroundings.
Matt’s portfolio spans a wide range of creative projects, including illustrated maps of Popular and Thames Barrier, hand-painted murals at East Ham Nature Reserve and designing Newham Council’s Covid Memorial garden. His London-themed artwork is sold in iconic visitor destinations such as Tower Bridge. He leads regular Sketch and Stroll walking tours, blending art, exploration and local history. His clients include The Royal Docks, The City of London, Ilford BID, the NHS, Bow Arts, Creative Basildon and the DLR. Matt works from his studio at Alice Billings House in Stratford.
Open House Festival is thrilled to partner with Airbnb, our headline partner, to help visitors experience London in a more authentic way. Together, we share a mission to connect people with the city’s unique architecture, vibrant neighbourhoods and the stories that bring them to life. Just as Open House invites you to step inside remarkable spaces, Airbnb Experiences give you the chance to discover hidden streets, go behind the scenes of iconic landmarks and see the real side of London through the eyes of the people who know it best.
