London Spitalfields History and Culture Tour

For a London that feels more like home to a Londoner than the pomp and grandeur of Westminster, head to Spitalfields for a small-group experience like no other.
Historically much poorer than its cousin to the west, it has in more recent times found its fortune in skyscrapers and creatives- a true rags to riches tale.
The stories heard here are not of kings and politicians but of the real people who made this area- cockneys and costermongers, brave Blitz-era civilians and Eastern European Jewish settlers, Bengali Muslims and fleeing French Protestants, artists, fashionistas, trendsetters, foodies, radicals, 1950s gangs, Victorian murderers, workhouse paupers and everybody in between.

You’ll duck into the backstreets to discover hipster markets and Beigel shops, old breweries, a religious building that tells of centuries of immigration, 18th century weaver houses, old taverns, unbelievable street art from Banksy to Stik, global cuisine and a very different side to our fair city.

Meeting Point

Whitechapel Gallery

77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX, UK

Aldgate East Tube Station - Exit Three is signposted as the ‘Whitechapel Gallery’ within the station. Just follow these signs inside Aldgate East station, and you will come out at exit three of Aldgate East station and onto Whitechapel High Street.

What's included:

• English Speaking local expert guide
• Private guided walk of the East End including Brick Lane and Spitalfields.

Not included:

• Gratuities
• Food & drink
• Hotel pick-up & drop-off
• Any entrance costs

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Brick Lane Jamme Masjid

59 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

This building is truly the story of the waves of immigrants who came and settled in this area over hundreds of years as a Christian church, a Jewish synagogue and now Mosque to the local Bengali community.
Visiting outside

5 minutes

Brick Lane

London

From curry mile to the hipster record and vintage stores that line this historic street, you will discover an area alive with street art, great food and stories beyond measure.
Visiting outside

20 minutes

The Ten Bells

84 Commercial St, London E1 6LY, UK

A jolly good British boozer that used to carry the name of an infamous serial who became indelibly linked with its history- Jack the Ripper. Hear about the terrible crimes he committed in this area.
Visiting inside

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Spitalfields Market E1

65 Brushfield Street, London, E1 6AA

The Old ‘Worst Street in London’
Rife with poverty, this street once housed the local rookery or slum- take an uncomfortable journey back in time to a Spitalfields a world away from what it is now.
Visiting outside

5 minutes

Old Spitalfields Market

16 Horner Square, , London, E1 6EW

Starting life as a flesh, fowl and roots market in 1638, licensed by King Charles I, you are more likely to find cool clothing and hand painted crafts in this market today alongside an air richly scented with the wonderful street food vendors that trade here.
Visiting Inside

10 minutes

The Old Truman Brewery

91 Brick Lane, , London, E1 6QL

We have always liked beer here in London, that’s no secret. Find out the history of an iconic London brewery here followed by a little crash-course in the tastes of Shoreditch for your evening ahead.
Visiting Outside

15 minutes