Spitalfields & Bangaland
Exit the tube at Liverpool Street Station, cross Bishopgate and walk north past the turning for Spital Square, turning right onto Folgate Street. Take a look at the exterior of the Georgian homes as you stroll down the street. For a closer look, you might consider booking a tour of Dennis Sever’s House, for a time-capsule view.
David Milne – House Curator
This is the area that Protestant Huguenot silk weavers and their families settled in the 17th century.
Turn right at Commercial Street and to Old Spitalfields Market. During the week small shops and restaurants are open within the large, Victorian covered warehouse.
Sunday, from 9:30 to 5:30 PM offers a variety of shopping options with a colourful collection of fashion stalls, a stylish destination which, on Sundays, features clothing from new and upcoming designers. Further offerings include arts and crafts, fruits and veg, used books and ethnic foods. There is plenty to admire and purchase, and taste before exiting at the far end and on to Fournier Street.
Shopping Old Spitalfields Market
Walk east on Fournier Street to Brick Lane. For hundreds of years, this neighbourhood has been home to many waves of immigrants. Currently, Brick Lane is, for the most part, a Bangladeshi community.
At Fournier Street and Brick Lane The New French Church was constructed in 1743 for the Huguenots. In 1899 the building became The Great Synagogue, a place of worship for the Russian and Central European refugees. In 1975 it became The Great Mosque for the Bengali community taking up residence in the area. The building surely tells the story of East End immigrant history.
Turn right on Brick Lane to discover Banglaland. You will notice shop signs written in Bengali, the fragrance of curry, Indian music, brightly coloured fabrics, and hookah cafes.
Patsy Palmer’s Real East End Tour.
At the end of the street sits the Whitechapel Gallery at 77-82 Whitechapel High Street. For more than 100 years Whitechapel Gallery has featured the works of world-class modern masters. The gallery is free and open daily from 11 Am to 6 PM. Consult the website for special late-night openings.
You have the option of continuing on to the second stretch of your tour or leaving it for another day and catching the tube at Aldgate East Station.
Backtrack along Brick Lane, turning left on Whitechapel High Street. Walking north of Fournier Street you will discover some interesting shopping venues. The Sunday UpMarket at 91 Brick where you will find affordable clothing and a sampling of foods from around the world. Continue up the street and turn right at 146 Brick Lane for the Backyard Market where you will discover more stalls of goods to view or purchase.
For your next stop turn right on Cheshire Street for a selection of fashionable boutiques, unique vintage, and specialty shops, including Levison’s Vintage Clothing at #1, Search & Destroy at #3, House of Vintage London at #4, Vintage Basement at #7. Stop for a coffee or beverage at Vintage Rooms #8. Carry on with more shops Le Colonel Moutard at #10, Onimos Vintage Clothing at #28 Blackmans Shoes at #46, the Duke of Uke at #88, and Beyond Retro Cheshire Street at #110-112.
Backtrack to Brick Lane and walk north to #159 where Brick Lane Beigel Bake is a local landmark dating back to the days when the neighbourhood housed mostly Jewish immigrants. Stop here and have a bite to eat and a refreshment if you are ready for a short break.
Virtual Walk of Brick Lane
Backtrack to Sclater Street, turn right and continue through the Sclater Street Market to Shoreditch High Street, right on Hackney Road and right again onto Columbia Road and the Columbia Road Flower Market.
To end your tour backtrack on Columbia Road to Shoreditch Road, turning right and then left onto Old Street, and continue walking to Old Street Station.
London Books at Amazon
British Gifts at Amazon
More to Explore
Hampstead & Hampstead Heath – The lovely village of Hampstead offers shopping opportunities in the upscale neighbourhood, and lovely gardens to discover along the way, to our destination of Hampstead Heath.
London Eye to Parliament & Trafalgar Square – Bring the kid’s along on this family-friendly tour. There are plenty of attractions and landmarks to explore.
St. Paul’s – St. Paul’s Cathedral remains to be one of London’s most enduring landmarks. The building was designed by architect Christopher Wren.
The City – The City, located in the heart of London offers architectural sights from across many centuries.
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