Walking Tour around Spitalfields in the East End of London
Description
Join us on a walking tour of sightseeing and storytelling, devised by London's leading blogger and guided by a member of the local community in Spitalfields. Ramble through two thousand years of culture in the heart of London and encounter some of the people and places that make this ancient neighbourhood distinctive. Discover Spitalfields’ rich and diverse history of resourcefulness driven by successive waves of migration from across the world - Huguenots, Jews, Irish and Bengalis among many others - telling the story of how modern Britain was created.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Nicholas Hawksmoor's masterpiece of English Baroque
We meet people whose lives were bound up with with this institution to minster to the needs of Jewish immigrants who came from East Europe, the area now known as the Ukraine
We learn the story of this ancient market
We reveal the purpose of this astonishing medieval survival
We visit the site of the Priory of St Mary Spital
We tell the story of the brewery through the lives of two women who worked there
We tell the story of this famous thoroughfare and the ongoing controversy over its future
We reveal the history of this building which is emblematic of the history of Spitalfields - a Huguenot Chapel that became a Synagogue that became a Mosque
We tell the story behind these fine eighteenth century houses
We visit the herb garden of the 17th century herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper
We put our feet up in a 18th century drawing room, overlooking Christ Church Spitalfields, at the end of our tour and enjoy tea and cakes baked to a recipe of 1720
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for travelers who cannot stand and walk for two hours
Reviews(146)
What a fantastic guided tour! I've been on three tours of area now, and - although the others were about street art and food - this was by far the best organised, run and executed! We learned so much from an engaging and friendly tour guide who clearly knows and cares deeply about the area. The tour was a good mixture of historical events, architecture and inhabitants of the area. We ended having tea and cake in one of the Georgian buildings that are still standing. And truly remarkable experience that has made me want to visit again!
Two highly entertaining hours with someone who has been central to preserving the area for years, and really knows what they're talking about. A great mix of people and places. Unexpected bonus: authentically antique cakes in a beautiful house in Fournier Street!
Learnt so much about the area and folks who have lived there through the ages. Fascinating, a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
This was a fascinating tour with the Gentle Author who guided us around the streets of Spitalfields. At each stop we learnt about the different characters of the area - some historical and some more recent and we were all involved, so it was very interactive. The Gentle Author has a wealth of knowledge of Spitalfields which really brought the tour to life. The tea and cake were also much appreciated! I highly recommend this tour.
Very enjoyable tour covering a variety of topics and people relevant to the area. Excellent guide with a personal connection to the subject and locale. Finished off with tea and cake in a Georgian sitting room - perfect
The tour was fascinating. At 2 hours it was just long enough to get a flavour of the area and not too tiring. The Gentle Author illustrated his tour with photos and anecdotes of the people who lived in the area which gave it a more personal connection. He also avoided the usual cliches of the East End like the Kray Twins and Jack the Ripper and concentrated on the lesser known aspects of the area. I learned a lot of new and interesting facts on this walk. The tour is well worth going on and definitely value for money. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with an interest in the area.
As readers of the Gentle Author's blog, we were keen to visit places and people we had read about. The tour certainly didn't disappoint. The Gentle Author was a wonderful guide through the streets of Spitalfields, bringing to life the characters and places in his blog. We would highly recommend his tour! (The tea and cakes in a beautifully authentic house were a welcome bonus) JB
I highly recommend this tour. My daughter and I truly walked in the footsteps of our 1820s ancestor Caroline Fitzallen. Over 2,000 years of Spitalfield’s history was brought to life. The people, the stories, the poetry, the songs and the architecture was described very ably by our guide the talented Gentle Author. To top it off we had tea and cake in a cafe situated in a restored 18th century house. Thank you Dan. It was a pleasure to meet you.
Outstanding communicator. Great understanding and deep respect for all the folk whose stories he revealed. Politics, intimate geography, lives lived and still living. Terrific.
This was one of the most interesting/informative guided tours I have ever participated in. The researched stories and biographies of former residents of the neighborhood and the historical backgrounds were presented in a very engaging manner. It was very entertaining and concluded perfectly with tea and a very delicious small pastry in muffin form. Heartfelt thanks to the Gentle Author for the wonderful tour!
