Spitalfields Historic and Cultural Walking Tour

Most people know of this are because of its infamous connection with Jack The Ripper but there is 2,000 years of history here with an incredibly rich history and vibrant culture so join us for this very special tour that will reveal the fantastic heritage of Spitalfields without ever mentioning you-know-who.
We will visit Plague Pits and scenes of terrible crimes and events but also of sites of pioneering hospitals, alms houses, soup kitchens and asylums.

These days Spitalfields is also incredibly trendy with a unique mix found nowhere else on Earth and we don't even mean the great food and markets.

Everywhere in Spitalfields, culture and vibrancy goes hand in hand with history, poverty and misery and we will see the old subterranean Charnel House within a few seconds walk of the wonderful Spitalfields Market.

There is no where like Spitalfields and we’re convinced that if you are looking for something totally different then this is the tour for you.

Meeting Point

Aldgate

Aldgate High St, London EC3N 1AH, UK

We shall meet just outside the exit of Aldgate Underground Station from where the tour commences

What's included:

• Private Guided Walking Tour through Spitalfields in the East End of London

What to expect:

Duration: 3 hours

The Hoop and Grapes

47 Aldgate High St, Greater, London EC3N 1AL, UK

The oldest licenced house in the City of London. A lovely old Tudor pub from 1593 with a fascinating history in this no-mans land between the City and Whitechapel.

3 minutes

St Botolph's Aldgate

Aldgate High Street, London, EC3N 1AB

There's been a church here for well over 1,000 years and many famous people such as Sir Isaac Newton and Daniel Defoe have worshipped here. The beautifully landscaped gardens hide a terrible secret beneath!

10 minutes

Aldgate Pump

65-68 Leadenhall St, London EC3A 2AD, UK

The infamous Aldgate Pump (of death) not only has a remarkable history but inspired a phrase in 'Cockney' English.
Nearby we will see ruins of the old Trinity Priory.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

St Katherine Cree

St. Katharine Cree Church 86 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3A 3BP

Londons hardest to find cemetery is right opposite an infamous murder spot.

5 minutes

Tomb of the Unknown Roman Girl

18 Bury Street, London, N9 7JY

Discovered when preparatory works for the Gherkin where being made.

2 minutes

30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)

30 St. Mary Axe, , London, EC3A 8EP

One of the most iconic of the modern generation of London skyscrapers

2 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Bevis Marks

Bevis Marks, London EC3A, UK

The oldest surviving Synagogue in what was once a very Jewish area of London.

2 minutes

Houndsditch

Houndsditch, London, UK

This was once a notorious part of London just outside the City Walls

5 minutes

Devonshire Square

Devonshire Square, London EC2M, UK

Now a fashionable leisure destination but 150 years ago home to the East India Company. It's history though goes back over another 1,000 years to the Knights of the Cnihtengild.

5 minutes

Tenter Ground

Tenter Ground, London E1, UK

Spitalfields has a long history in the textile and weaving trade.

5 minutes

Soup Kitchen for the Jewish Poor

Brune Street, London, E1 7NE

A relic of the past which survived until just a few years ago.

2 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Christ Church Spitalfields

Commercial St, London E1 6LY, UK

This beautiful White Chapel Huguenot Church was once the centre of the community and nearby we will see some of the beautiful houses, shops and pubs in the area.
We will also see where Queen Victoria had her wedding dress made and why she chose Spitalfields as well as seeing a period house often used in TV shows and films for its authentic appearances.

2 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Norton Folgate Alms Houses

Puma Court, London, E1 6QG

Original Alms Houses from times past which are still operating and giving a helping hand to those that need it the most.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Brick Lane Jamme Masjid

59 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

This mosque was once a synagogue and before that a church.

2 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Brick Lane Market

Brick Lane, Bethnal Green, London, E1 6RL

Just one of several markets in Brick Lane

10 minutes

Brick Lane

London

Brick Lane was once a very Jewish area and we will go by Britains oldest Beigel shop which you're very welcome to try out. Nearby is the legendary Dark Sugars who we think make the best Hot Chocolate in the world. Or you might want to try out some of the incredible flavours from the Indian Subcontinent.

20 minutes

Brick Lane Vintage Market

Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

We won't list all the markets round here... but you get the idea!

10 minutes

Dennis Severs' House

18 Folgate Street, Liverpool Street Tube, London, E1 6BX

In the midst of the best preserved streets of Spitalfields, we will see the historic Dennis Severs' House. (If you pick the optional entry on a Saturday then we may be able to go inside). Either way, this area gives an idea of how rich Spitalfields used to be before it descended into the poverty and crime which gripped it through much of the 19th and 20th centuries.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

BOXPARK Shoreditch

2-10 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E1 6GY, UK

Once home to a famous animal market. Now one of the trendiest markets in London

5 minutes

Charnel House

Bishops Square, Spitalfields, London

During the recent extensive development of the area, archeologists found these ruins deep underground that once stores thousands of bones.

5 minutes

Spitalfields Market E1

65 Brushfield Street, London, E1 6AA

This listing of what we see isn't all-inclusive as there are various other places too such as the birthplace of Susanna Wesley, the mother who gave birth to John and Charles who founded Methodism.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Old Spitalfields Market

16 Horner Square, , London, E1 6EW

Once an old functioning market but now a high-end place with great food and artisan products.

10 minutes

Artillery Passage

London, E1 7LJ

One of the most atmospheric streets in London though it doesn't take too much imagination to realise its history might not be as pleasant as it is today.

5 minutes

Kindertransport Memorial

50 Liverpool St, London EC2M 7PD, UK

Near to 'Bedlam' we finish this tour by this lovely and evocative memorial to Jewish children saved by Sir Nicholas Winton just before WW2.

5 minutes