A Day Around the East End
Morning
Start at Old Spitalfields Market,
close to Liverpool Street station, where a mixture of stalls hold sway
during the week, and many more, selling clothes, food and collectibles,
fill the floor on Sundays. Have a delicious English breakfast at St John Bread & Wine opposite the market at 96 Commercial Street
.
Walk
around the corner into Fournier Street, where the gallery at No. 5
retains the panelling of the 18th-century silk weavers’ houses. Stroll
along Princelet and Elder streets, just off Fournier, for a taste of
historic London.
Head into Brick Lane
to browse among the saree and Bangladeshi gift shops. Stop for lunch at
one of the many authentic curry houses that line the street.
Afternoon
After lunch turn right into Whitechapel Road. Notice the distinctive Art Nouveau façade of the
Whitechapel Art Gallery
and pop into the gallery’s stunning three-floor exhibition space to
take in a contemporary art show. Have a cup of tea in the museum café
and stop by the bookshop.
Finally, take a
ride on the driverless Docklands Light Railway (from Tower Gateway, a
short walk from Whitechapel), for some of the best views of East
London. Emerge at Canary Wharf to see London’s latest architecture
around Cabot Square, and finish the afternoon with a drink at Via Fosse on West India Quay.
Best of the Rest
Theatre Royal Stratford East
A
local theatre with an international reputation – established by the
pioneering director Joan Littlewood in 1953 – where exciting new work
can still be seen. Next door is a new arts centre with a gallery and
cinema.
Gerry Raffles Square E15
DLR Stratford East
020 8534 0310
Victoria Park
One
of East London’s largest and most pleasant parks. There are two lakes,
where model boats are sailed at weekends, ornamental gardens, a
children’s zoo, tennis courts and a bowling green.
Dennis Severs’ House
This 18th-century silk-weaver’s home is kept perfectly in period and was created by the late Dennis Severs.
Each room in this “still-life drama” appears as if the inhabitants have
only just left it – dinner is half-eaten and cooking smells emanate
from the kitchen.
Sutton House
This Tudor merchant’s house dates from 1535 and is one of the oldest in the East End.
2–4 Homerton High Street E9
Tube Bethnal Green, then 253 bus
020 8986 2264
Open Thu–Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays
Three Mills Museum
Built
in 1776, this magnificent tidal mill complex was once the country’s
largest. Today it has been restored as a working museum with much of
its original machinery on display.
Three Mill Lane E3
Tube Bromley-by-Bow
020 8980 4626
Cabot Hall
An events venue in Docklands with comedy clubs and public concerts.
Canary Wharf E14
DLR Canary Wharf
020 7418 2782
Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre
Enjoy sailing, rowing and canoeing facilities here.
Mudchute Farm
Britain’s largest city farm has a collection of livestock, plus a riding school.
Pier Street E14
Open 9am–5pm daily
DLR Mudchute
020 7515 5901
ExCeL
An impressive new development beside the Royal Victoria Docks with shops, cafés and a vast exhibition space.
Victoria Dock Road E16
DLR Custom House
Mile End Park
For skateboarders, BMX riders and rollerbladers, this new park also has a go-kart track.
(Environment Trust)
Mile End Road E3
Tube Mile End
020 7264 4660
