I love getting out of the tube at Liverpool Street Station and having to weave my way through throngs of people to get to the escalators. It can be quite a gauntlet to run but trust me, once you get above ground it’s so worth it!
One of the best ways to see this area of the city is to do a street art walking tour. The one that we did recently was two and half hours and completely free. Our great guide was a graffiti artist himself and had so many insights and interesting facts about this vibrant area of the city. All he asked at the end was for a tip or to pay what you felt the tour was worth, I thought it was top notch! The meeting point is just outside the Whitechapel Gallery near Aldgate East Station.
On another evening in the last few weeks, we met friends at Box Park and had beers in the sunshine. After great catch ups, we wandered across the road and found a brilliant street food pop up called Pump Shorditch. It’s taken up home in closed petrol station. That’s the other thing that I love about this area of east London – innovation, old and new, pop-ups, start-ups and art and brilliant architecture. It’s such a melting pot and every time I visit, I leave having seen something completely new or unexpected.
My top picks for Brick Lane and Shorditch
- Browse in House of Hackney to drool over the prints and interiors
- Grab a drink in the Ace Hotel and soak up the atmosphere and fab dog murals on the walls. It’s also a great place to trend watch for fashion and style
- Grab a curry at Brick Lane – my friend always says that if you’re paying more that £10 for a naan, main and glass of wine you’re being ripped off!
- Check out the pop-ups at Box Park, they’re always changing
- Bargain hunt the markets at Brick Lane, it’s one of my favourite past-times
Happy wandering!
x