Spitalfields

Old Truman Brewery Spitalfields - Districts

This East London neighbourhood has become highly popular in recent years and is now the haunt of trendy Londoners who like to spend the weekend here. At the heart lies Spitalfields market halls. The Victorian halls, which were built in 1887, were recently renovated and from Thursday to Sunday they're filled with a range of contemporary fashion, accessories and food. The buildings on Brushfield Street look more authentic than they are but they harbour some great shops such as A Gold (No. 42) and Market Coffee House (No.50). On Sunday Spitalfields comes to life. The market halls are buzzing and the restaurants are full. If you prefer flea markets then head south of Spitlafields to Petticoat Lane Market and in Middlesex Street you will find a flea market with stalls selling moslty low cost electrical goods and clothes.

This are is more than just the market here thou. I fyou follow the crowd to the east side, cross Commercial Street and walk up Hanbury Street you'll find the Old Truman Brewery and surrounding streets.  Every Sunday between 10.00am and 5.00pm the Sunday Up Market offers the latest fashion, art, and international food. it's the food that's our favourite part with Ethiopian hand roasted coffee, Turkish specialties, delicious Moroccan food, Spanish paellas and empanadas,  hand-rolled sushi, Japanese savory pancakes, Indian, Thai cuisine and even Caribbean specialties, there's no end in sight. Our advice is to make a toru of the food stalls and then make a decision so you don't miss out. The choice is too great.

If you're tired of markets then take a rest outside next to the Old Truman Brewery. There's plenty of benches where locals meet to pass the time of day. You'll often find a free art exhibition on at the Brewery and there's always a cosmopolitan atmosphere to soak up here. Brick Lane runs behind the factories. It's known by locals as curry street or Bangla Town due to the high number of Indian restaurants. You're sure to be approached by someone offering a meal deal here and while the quality of food isn't as good overall as it was in the past it's still a great area. Every Sunday from 8.00 am, the market in Brick Lane is packed full of stalls selling electronics, gadgets and freshly prepared food from all corners of the world. Brick Lane is a long street and the atmosphere becomes increasingly multicultural as you walk north. Areas that were once no go here are now full of trendy shop and cafes and it's one of the hippest spots in London.

If you can't get enough of East London's markerts then wander down to Columbia Road. This street in Bethnal Green is transformed every Sunday into a vibrant and colourful flower market. Between 8.00am  and 2.00pm you'll find all manner of plants, flowers and bulbs including some exotic species for sale. It's not on the usual tourist trail so isn't as busy as other markets. There's good coffee and food on sale and you can pass time chatting with local people.  

 

Things to do in Spitalfields:                                                                               
  • Visit the markets on Sunday.
  • Spitalfields Market (Commercial Street), Thursday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.00pm.
  • Petticoat Lane Market (Middlesex Street), Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 2.3pm, Sunday 9.00am to 2.00pm.
  • Sunday Up Market (Old Truman Brewery), Sunday 10.00am to 5.00 pm.
  • Columbia Road Flower Market (Columbia Road), Sunday 8.00am to 2.00pm.
  • Meet locals in Brick Lane and on site at the Old Truman Brewery Spitalfields Market (Commercial Street).

 

 

Best time to visit:  Visiting Spitalfields on a Sunday is an absolute must. Virtually all markets take place on this day so you can wander.

User opinions about Spitalfields

Default_user_th