There are countless ways to experience London’s East End and its most famous street, Brick Lane.
Today, Brick Lane is known mainly for its:
- markets
- street art
- curry houses
- vintage shops
- and great nightlife.
But in the past it was also a land of Shakespeare, Suffragettes, Jack the Ripper and Kray Twins!
The Kray Twins were notorious London gangsters who operated in the mid-20th century.
My exploration of the East End is ongoing but in this post, you will find 18 worth exploring spots at (& near) Brick Lane that I have discovered so far.
I hope you will enjoy this walk as much as I did preparing it!
All the locations described below you can visit for free.
Links to the MAP of this walking tour: part 1 & part 2
Distance to cover: 4 miles (6.5 km)
Before you go… the best times to experience the true spirit of Brick Lane are on Saturdays & Sundays. However, this walk will be interesting on any day of the week.
Where to start?
You might be surprised when I ask you to begin this Brick Lane walking tour by arriving at Old Street* tube station, which is not the nearest transport link to this iconic London street.
But I promise that extending this trail a bit will be worth the effort.
*How old is Old Street…? The origins of Old Street (the street, not a tube station) can be traced back to about 1200. However, there are suggestions that the history of this road dates back even further, to Roman times.
In need of a private tour guide…?
contact@walkmeblog.com
THINGS TO SEE NEAR BRICK LANE
1. Daniel Defoe’s grave
I recommend starting this walking tour by visiting the grave of the author of Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe.
His grave is located just a couple of minutes’ walk away from Old Street station, within the charming Bunhill Fields Burial Ground.
Click here to see precise location
Sadly, Defoe did not live to see the popularity of his writing.
At the time of his death, he was hiding from his creditors.
He struggled financially for most of his life.
When he died in 1731, he was buried in this cemetery in a poorly marked grave.
The monument in his name, that you can see today, was erected 140 years after his death and was funded by generous donations from young literary enthusiasts.
2. Where Romeo and Juliet was performed for the first time
The second place to see during this walking tour is the location where, in 2008, archaeologists discovered the foundations of The Theater – a 16th-century open-air amphitheater.
Many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed there for the first time, including Romeo and Juliet.
After the lease for The Theatre expired, the structure was dismantled and rebuilt in 1599 on the south bank of the River Thames as The Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare’s career flourished.
The historic spot on New Inn Street has been beautifully marked with a mural depicting iconic scenes…
… and quotes from Shakespeare’s plays.
You can also find there a bench with a statue of Shakespeare sitting on it.
Click here to see precise location
3. Street Art
The whole area of Shoreditch is known to be one of the best places in London to see street art.
The ever-changing walls of the buildings neighboring Shakespeare’s statue serve as open-air street galleries and will entertain you as you walk towards the Arnold Circus, the next point on this Brick Lane walking tour.
Click here to see precise location
4. Arnold Circus (and the Boundary Estate)
Boundary Estate is a beautiful Victorian-era housing development and garden located only a 2-minute walk from Brick Lane.
Click here to see precise location
Completed in 1900, this groundbreaking public housing project replaced the worst (at the time) slum in London, known as the Old Nichol.
One of nearby streets is still called Old Nichol Street.
Boundary Estate became one of the first social housing schemes in the world, aiming to provide decent and affordable housing for the working class.
The elevated garden you see today (located in the middle of the estate) was created on the rubble of the deteriorating slum houses that were demolished to pave the way for the new development.
I recommend climbing the stairs to view the the estate’s perspective from the top of the hill.
The circular design of “Arnold Circus” was intended to create a sense of community and encourage social interaction among residents.
With its picturesque settings, the Boundary Estate is definitely worth exploring.
5. Café E Pellicci (established 1900!)
After visiting Arnold Circus and before you turn into Brick Lane street, I invite you to see (and taste!) café E.Pellicci.
Click here to see precise location
E.Pellicci is a classic East London café that was established one year before the passing of Queen Victoria (1900) and has managed to stay relevant to the tastes of Londoners for over 120 years.
The Kray Twins used to enjoy the full English breakfast here!
If there is one constant thing about London’s high streets, it is change.
Every day, new restaurants are being established, and every day, others are closing.
Some shut down after only a couple of months of operating, while a few manage to stick around for a few years.
E.Pellicci is the champion of them all.
This family business managed to overcome not only personal tragedies*…
* The founder of this place, Priamo, died prematurely leaving his wife, Elide with not only a business to run but also with the task of raising 7 children in a world that wasn’t women-friendly, to say the least.
… but also survived two economic depressions, two world wars, six recessions, and two pandemics.
Inside the café, you can see a family portrait of the founders.
Few tips before visiting E.Pellicci:
- The queue of people (happy to wait up to an hour, often in the rain!) is a common occurrence on the narrow pavements outside the number 332 of Bethnal Green, especially on Saturdays and Mondays (the place is closed on Sundays) so be prepare for that.
- Even if you have to wait a bit longer, it’s worth waiting for a seat inside. That’s the best way to experience first-hand the magic of this place. This way, you will not only get the delicious food, but you will also be exposed to the entertaining personalities of the members of this remarkable family.
- Please note that the place accepts cash only, but there is a convenient cash machine located on the opposite side of the road.
- The family that runs this business likes to take a month-long break during the summer, so please visit Pellicci’s website for current opening times to avoid disappointment.
Now, it is time to enter Brick Lane – one of the most iconic streets in London.
6. Brick Lane
Brick Lane was built on top of a Roman burial ground, and before the 15th century, it was known under the name Whitechapel Lane as it led to St Mary’s Whitechapel (the church that gave the area its name).
The church was seriously damaged by bombing in the Blitz in 1941 and was demolished in 1952. Its remains are still visible today in Altab Ali Park.
The current name has been in use since the 15th century when manufacture of brick and tile dominated the place.
Today Brick Lane is often called Banglatown, as it is a home for the UK’s biggest Bangladeshi community – hence the road signs in two languages – English and Bengali.
7. Beigel Shop(s)
During the 19th century, Brick Lane experienced an influx of Jewish immigrants, primarily from Eastern Europe, especially from countries like Russia and Poland.
Naturally, the area became home to various Jewish-owned businesses, including bakeries, butchers, and textile shops.
Although most Jewish businesses moved out after the Second World War*…
*London’s East End was heavily bombed during the Second World War.
… you can still find a few remaining signs of their presence in the area today.
Two beigel shops serve as good examples:
- Beigel Shop (the yellow one at no. 155, established in 1855!)
- Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery (at no. 159, open 24 hours a day).
Click here to see precise location
I recommend you to try them both.
During the weekends, queuing might be necessary.
8. Brick Lane Bookshop
Brick Lane Bookshop is an independent bookstore located at 166 Brick Lane.
Click here to see precise location
It is known for its diverse collection of books, catering to a wide range of readers’ tastes.
The store features works from both well-known authors and emerging talents.
On some days, you can even spot outside the bookstore poets for hire, offering their instant writing to the crowds of Brick Lane.
9. Spitalfields City Farm
Spitalfields City Farm is an urban farm located a couple of minutes’ walk from Brick Lane.
Click here to see precise location
It is a delightful oasis offering peace and quiet not too far from the busy streets of London.
Upon entering the farm, you will be greeted by a diverse range of farm animals, including donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, pigs, and rabbits – many of which are rescue animals.
An ideal spot for a break if you’re sightseeing with kids.
Entry to the farm is free, but this lovely spot operates on donations, so be generous if you decide to visit this place.
10. Truman Brewery
For over 300 years, Brick Lane smelled like a beer.
The reason for this was a brewery established here around 1666 under the name Black Eagle Brewery.
Click here to see precise location
The Black Eagle Brewery supplied beer to Londoners during the Great Fire of London!
Later, the brewery was renamed to Truman Brewery after Joseph Truman, who took control of the business in the late 17th century.
By the 19th century, Truman Brewery had become one of the largest brewers in the world!
In Victorian London, consuming beer was considered safer than drinking water. You can learn more about this on the last stop of this walking tour – The Death Pump.
Nevertheless, the 20th century gave a devastating blow to the business.
In 1989, The Truman Brewery, once a major employer in East London, succumbed to intense competition and closed its doors.
However, in the 21st century, the former brewery premises were reborn as offices, independent boutiques, bars, and music venues, once again becoming the center of business life in Brick Lane.
11. Rough Trade East
Rough Trade East is a record shop with a massive inventory of vinyl (& some interesting books).
It is located in one of the shops just off Brick Lane, in what used to be a loading bay for Truman Brewery.
Click here to see precise location
12. Princelet Street & Fournier Street
Princelet Street and Fournier Street are picturesque historic lanes that intersect with Brick Lane.
Click here to see precise location
Both streets are renowned for their charming, well-preserved Georgian townhouses.
The rich history of this area is beautifully captured in the character of these streets.
Interestingly, the houses on these streets have withstood the test of time due to the poverty of the immigrants who once inhabited them; they couldn’t afford extensive modifications. Today, properties on Princelet Street and Fournier Street are not only highly desirable but also come with a steep price tag!
13. Jack The Ripper pub
Many people visit the East End for one and only reason: to walk in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper and his victims.
In that case, The Ten Bells pub is a necessary stop to include in the stroll around Brick Lane.
During the Autumn of Terror in 1888 (the year when Jack the Ripper was on his killing spree), this pub was frequented by some of his victims.
It is not unreasonable to assume that he could have been a customer here himself as well.
The pub building itself has stood since at least the mid-18th century.
Click here to see precise location
Today, the Ten Bells offers a cozy atmosphere and vintage décor.
14. Brick Lane Mosque
The building that currently houses Brick Lane Mosque might appear, at first glance, to be an average brick structure.
However, it is, in fact, one of the most remarkable places in London.
Located at the heart of Brick Lane (where Brick Lane and Fournier Street intersect), it has served the religious needs of changing communities over the centuries.
Click here to see precise location
Built in 1742 as a Protestant Church for Huguenots, the building has undergone several transformations:
- In 1809, it was sold to the London Society for Promoting Christianity Among the Jews.
- Ten years later, the building was taken over by Methodists.
- Around 1898, it became the Spitalfields Great Synagogue, catering to newly settled Jewish immigrants.
- In 1976, it was transformed into a mosque.
“This simple structure really has been all things to all people; a place where each successive Spitalfields community has worshipped their version of God” – Rachel Lichtenstein “On Brick Lane”
15. The Gilbert & George Centre
Gilbert & George are an artistic duo renowned for their distinctive and provocative art.
They are also most famous residents of the area.
They reside on Fournier Street.
Gilbert and George first crossed paths in the late 1960s while studying at St. Martin’s School of Art in London.
Since then, they have maintained a creative partnership that spans over five decades.
A must-visit on this walking tour is the Gilbert & George Centre, where some of their creations are displayed.
Admission is free, and no prior booking is required. The center is open from Thursday to Sunday.
Click here to see precise location
16. Where the Big Ben was made…
Whitechapel Bell Foundry was a historic bell foundry located couple minutes walk from Brick Lane.
It was once one of the most famous bell foundries in the world (est. 1570).
Over the centuries, the foundry has passed through several generations of the same family and has been the birthplace of many historic and melodious bells that resonate across the world.
The most famous of them is the great “Big Ben” bell at the Palace of Westminster in London.
Unfortunately, the future of this historic building seems to be uncertain.
Nevertheless, I continue to visit this charming spot whenever I’m in the vicinity.
Click here to see precise location
17. The lucky pub
Between Aldgate and Aldgate East tube stations, you can find the oldest licensed house in the City, the wonky (16th-century) pub called The Hoop & Grapes.
It is one of a few pubs in the heart of London that survived the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Lasting almost five days fire stopped 50 yards (around 46 meters) from this pub!
The Hoop and Grapes is one of those places you might casually walk past without noticing, but stepping inside is a must!
After entering this premises, you will be welcomed by dark beams, wood paneling…
… and plenty of on-wall-graphics celebrating the interesting history of this place.
Click here to see precise location
18. The (deadly) Aldgate Pump
The last stop on this walking tour is the Aldgate Pump.
Aldgate Pump is a historic water pump located at the junction of Aldgate High Street and Fenchurch Street in the City of London.
Click here to see precise location
A well for fresh drinking water has been on this site since the 13th century.
For centuries, access to clean water was limited, and pumps like this were essential for public health.
In the mid-19th century, the area surrounding Aldgate Pump was hit by a devastating epidemic.
The old pump installed in this spot was found to be the source of the infection.
The pump was drawing water from a contaminated well, tainted by the bodies of the deceased from the nearby cemetery!
You will be pleased to know that the pump you can see today is a modern reincarnation of the “deadly” pump and is connected to the mains water supply.
However, it wasn’t working last time I checked…
Well, that’s all I have for you for now about Brick Lane.
I hope you enjoy this post.
If you are looking for more inspiration on what to see in London, check out my other London walks.
And below, you will find a couple more photos taken in London’s East End. Enjoy!
And to the next one!
In need of a private tour guide…?
contact@walkmeblog.com