Brick Lane, Spitalfields & Shoreditch

Explore a different side of London where hipsters meet history against a back drop of vibrant decay and street art.

Combining shabby chic with street art and history with hipster cool this tour explores the east side of town offering a different view on London.

Discover the Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Shoreditch neighbourhoods with a candid take from The London Storyteller grown from a familiarity with the area over twenty years and family connections dating back three hundred to his Huguenot refugee ribbon weaving ancestors who lived here.

As this is a private tour, the focus can be adjusted for you, whether you want to just explore whether this is exploring local markets, delving deeper into the street art or simply soaking up atmosphere from the the striking contrast of cultures, nooks and corners where tech start ups rub alongside historic sites.

It’s a tour packed with surprises and sudden shifts from urban decay to artisan innovation, as well emerging trends with great spots for finding a different side of London life. Its also home to London’s pre-eminent quarter of Indian restaurants, an extensive indoor market offering “vintage” clothes, as well as the extensively regenerated Spitalfields Market nearby.

Despite what you may have read elsewhere, if you’re looking to find a spot totally off the tourist trail, then this probably isn’t the tour for you. What it is, is a marvellous mix of local sights and scenes, which has changed and is continuing to change quickly.

The standard tour is planned for up to 2.5 hours and can be extended upon request.

Street Art

From fresh talent to famous names across these districts we'll find a mixture of artistic excellence and shabby chic cool alongside urban decay and innovation. This tour looks beyond the street art and also at two of the most important contemporary British artists of the past sixty years, Gilbert & George.

MARKETS & MORE

These neighbourhoods have seen many phases in an ever changing local population and this tour digs into the history of these communities, as well as exploring the modern urban vibe of its eclectic mix of markets, shops and the stories associated with the artefacts left behind and ever changing nature of the local communities of those who live and work in them.

Private Guide

Hosted by The London Storyteller, you and your guests will be given an exclusively private tour which means that you and your guests will have a dedicated experience. Upon request we can also co-ordinate with specialists to cater for certain special requests to make your experience the very best that it can be.

Bespoke Extras

This tour can be extended by request and we are very happy to make recommendations for additional sights that compliment the core themes of this tour as well as others that may appeal to you. We are also happy to suggest spots to eat and drink close to the start and end of the tour. If you don't know what to ask for, then please feel free to ask and we'll find out more about what we can suggest To find out more please contact info@thelondonstoryteller.com

Meeting Point: I, Goat at Old Spitalfields Market

We’ll meet outside Old Spitalfields Market close to Liverpool Street at the I, Goat statue.

Chapter One: The Origin Of Spitalfields

We’ll dive into the story of Spitalfields and explore the revitalised market which has become an exciting destination for innovation.

Chapter Two: Huguenot Footsteps

We’ll explore some quiet and historic early 18th century streets with historic links to early huguenot settlers in the local area through to contemporary cultural connections especially in the arts.

Chapter Three: Brick Lane

Brick Lane is a mighty mix of markets, Indian restaurants, vintage clothes shopes and shabby chic urban ephemera. Its home to both to street art and one of London’s most impressive modern art galleries, The Gilbert & George Centre offering a window into the world of past and present creative works of this dynamic duo of art innovators.

Chapter Four: Shoreditch

Shakespeare, street art shaken and stirred with some cool coffee shops and nice hang outs.

Chapter Five: Silicon Roundabout

We’ll wrap up the tour at Old Street Station, offering a convenient connection by tube on the Northern Line or if you prefer, we can adapt the tour to end back at Old Spitalfields Market for street food, shopping and more.

Meeting Point

End Point

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