London Buddhist Centre
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Drop-in yoga and meditation classes, plus a Sunday school for kids aged 3 to 16, in a shrine-room-fronted centre near Bethnal Green.
This is a working Buddhist centre rather than a museum piece, so what you actually do is turn up to a class. There's yoga most mornings, lunchtimes and evenings from £9, meditation sessions, and on Sundays a dedicated school for children aged 3 to 16 running alongside the adult programme. There's also a Mindful Morning aimed at teens specifically, if you've got one who'd rather do that than lie in.
Nobody's asking you to convert. The site is upfront that you don't need to be a Buddhist or have any meditation experience to walk in, and most sessions are built with beginners in mind. Doors open 15 minutes before the start and there's someone on reception if you're not sure where to go. The one genuine faff is shoes: you take them off before entering the shrine room, so factor in socks without holes.
Food is limited to tea and biscuits on breaks, or a full vegan lunch if you're on a day retreat or festival day. For anything more substantial the Mandala Café sits right next door, open through the week but closed on Sundays, which is a shame given that's when the family programme runs. The building itself is step-free with an accessible toilet, and it's a five to ten minute walk from Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath or Stepney Green stations if you're coming by train.
Prices sit mostly in the £9 to £13 bracket for regular classes, though the longer "Who Hates the Metta Bhavana?" course runs £65 to £130 depending on income and age, with a cheaper online option too. Reception hours are Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and evening classes run 7pm to 9.30pm on weekdays.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Families with kids 3 to 16 via Sunday School, plus teens and adults in classes
- Getting there by bus or train
- Bethnal Green (Central Line and Overground), Cambridge Heath (Overground), Stepney Green (District
- Card only, so don't rely on cash for the class fee or the gift shop.
- Mandala Café is closed on Sundays, the day the kids' programme runs.
- Evening classes run 7pm to 9.30pm on weekdays if you're after an after-work slot.
- There's a gift shop on site if you want to browse after your class.
Plan your visit
Do we need to book ahead?
No, the classes are drop-in and there's no booking link given, so you can just turn up during reception hours.
How much does it cost?
Most yoga and meditation classes are £9 to £13. The longer Metta Bhavana course is £65 to £130 in person, or £35 to £70 online, depending on income and age.
What's there for children?
A Buddhist Sunday School runs for ages 3 to 16, and there's a separate Mindful Morning aimed at teens.
Do I need to be Buddhist or know anything about meditation to go?
Not at all. Most events are aimed at people with no previous experience.
Is there food?
Tea and biscuits during breaks, and a vegan lunch on day retreats and festival days. The Mandala Café next door does proper meals but it's shut on Sundays.
What happens when we arrive?
Doors open 15 minutes before the start and reception can point you in the right direction. Most sessions have a short break built in.
Do we need to take our shoes off?
If you're going into the shrine room. Coats and bags can go in the cloakroom.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs or buggies?
The centre has step-free access, an accessible toilet and is described as wheelchair accessible throughout.
How do we get there?
Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath and Stepney Green stations are all within a five to ten minute walk, and bus stops are closer still.
Featured in 1 Huddlepin list
See all Wellbeing & Mindfulness in London · Things to do in London
MAKE A DAY OF IT
