In 1311, Bow remained an isolated village, often cut off from Stepney Church by flood. Permission was given to build a chapel of ease to allow the residents a local place to worship. The land was granted by Edward III, on the King’s highway, thus beginning a tradition of island church building. St. Mary’s Church stands on the traffic island in Bow Road. The base of the tower dates back to the late 1400s and the top of the tower was rebuilt after bomb damage in the World War II. Bow church is sometimes mistaken as the home of the Bow Bells which actually reside at St Mary-le-Bow Church on Cheapside in the City of London. The No 8 bus terminates at Bow Church.

In Fairfield Road stands the old Bryant and May Factory. It used to be the largest match factory in the UK. The brick entrance includes a depiction of Noah’s Ark and the word “Security” used as a trademark on the Matchboxes. The factory was closed in 1979 and the building is now a major private apartment complex known as the Bow Quarter. The statue of William Ewart Gladstone which stands outside Bow Church was donated by Theodore H Bryant and May Match factory.

Bow was also the site of the headquarters and maintenance depot of the North London Railway who also had two stations in the area named Old Ford and Bow. During World War II, the North London Railway branch from Dalston to Polar through Bow Property was so badly damaged that it fell into permanent disuse.

In 2000 and 2001 the Big Brother UK house was located at Three Mills Studios in nearby Newham, often reposted as Bow because the studios are included in the E3 postal district.

The future for Bow and its environs is going to be bright, money invested in the area should reap rewards as a synergy to the government spending the area.

The regeneration of Bow and its environs has been further enhanced by the announcement that the 2012 Olympics are going to be held in East London.

The Clara Grant Primary School, Bow School, Central Foundation Girl’s School are among high ranked schools in the vicinity.