London Buddhist Centre

London Buddhist Centre is a Buddhist temple on Roman Road in Bethnal Green, East London, in the borough of Tower Hamlets. It is the main base of the London Triratna Buddhist Community, and it occupies one of the more unusual buildings you can visit in this part of the city: a Victorian fire station.

What is the London Buddhist Centre?

The centre is a place of meditation and Buddhist practice open to the public. Its home is an ornate, vernacular redbrick building completed in 1888 and used by the London Fire Brigade until 1969. Today it works as a temple and community hub for the Triratna movement in the capital.

What is the history of the building?

The fire station served the neighbourhood for more than eight decades. After the brigade left in 1969 the building stood empty and was damaged by fire in the 1970s. Volunteers then renovated it for its new purpose, and the centre opened in 1978. Sources differ on how the group came to hold the premises: one account says the council gifted the building, while the Victoria County History records a lease from the Greater London Council in 1975. Further major improvements were completed in 2009.

What can you do there?

The centre is known for its programme of classes, including meditation, yoga and mindfulness. Most classes are offered on a donation basis, which makes them easy to try without a fixed price. The meditation and yoga rooms are reached by stairs leading down from the courtyard, so allow a little time to find your way on a first visit.

What should you look at from outside?

Even if you do not plan to join a class, the exterior is worth a stop. The decorative redbrick facade stands on the corner of Roman Road and Globe Road and reflects the civic architecture of the late Victorian period. The contrast between a former fire station and a modern Buddhist temple is the main reason the building stands out on a walk through Bethnal Green.

How do you find it?

The address is 51 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London. The building is Grade II listed. Roman Road itself is a lively local street, so a visit combines easily with a walk through the surrounding East End neighbourhood. Check the centre's current timetable before you go, as classes and opening hours change.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the London Buddhist Centre? On Roman Road in Bethnal Green, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

When was the building constructed? It was completed in 1888 as a fire station and served the London Fire Brigade until 1969.

When did the centre open? In 1978, after volunteers renovated the fire-damaged building.

Which community runs it? It is the main base of the London Triratna Buddhist Community.

Do the classes cost money? Most classes run on a donation basis, but confirm details with the centre before visiting.