{"id":42198,"date":"2020-01-21T06:00:50","date_gmt":"2020-01-21T14:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=42198"},"modified":"2025-08-24T07:01:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T14:01:09","slug":"spitalfields-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/spitalfields-london\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO SPEND A DAY IN SPITALFIELDS, LONDON"},"content":{"rendered":"

London is a celebration of culture; a mash-up of crisp, sharp businessmen and creative, laid-back artists. Perfectly embodying this diversity is the area of Spitalfields, which marks the point where the boundaries of edgy East London begin to merge with the glassy banking district.<\/p>\n

A neighbourhood teeming with locals from all walks of life, Spitalfields is the perfect gateway into understanding how it feels to be a \u2018true Londoner\u2019. Squat, brick buildings line the narrow streets of Brick Lane; yet as you keep walking, skyscrapers seem to appear from the inevitable grey clouds, the new looming protectively above the old. <\/p>\n

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The East End of London is renowned as the starting point for British streetwear: independently-run clothing stores line the streets, their clients each radiating their own individual style. From its modern markets to its contrasting cuisines, this 24-hour guide will help you explore Spitalfields like a local.<\/p>\n

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Start Your Day At The Breakfast Club<\/h2>\n

A well-loved London-based chain, The Breakfast Club<\/a> is \u2013 arguably \u2013 home to the city\u2019s best brunch. This cosy, quirky restaurant attracts huge numbers of visitors, and for good reason. Not only is its menu large, delicious, and relatively affordable, but it carries an air of exclusivity, too.<\/p>\n

Stepping inside the inconspicuous yellow door on Artillery Lane, you\u2019re greeted by a wall covered in Polaroids, hastily-scrawled notes, and currency from all over the world. Expect lots of neon, dripping stacks of pancakes, and friendly staff. Oh, and expect to queue at weekends.<\/p>\n

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Explore The Market<\/h2>\n

Once a place for vendors to sell flesh, meat and vegetables during the 1600s, Spitalfields Market<\/a> has since undergone quite a major makeover. Although it is still housed in the traditional red-brick building of 350 years ago, the market today is a splash of gunmetal grey, sleek glass panels, and strings of bulbous fairy lights.<\/p>\n

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This covered market is home to a huge number of stalls, many selling handmade and craft pieces. If second-hand and vintage clothing is your style, then you\u2019re in luck: there are stalls for that, too.<\/p>\n

Although there are a number of chain restaurants within the market, there is also a range of independent food stands, boasting international dishes such as filled naan bread and sweet treats. The market is open 7 days a week until 11 pm.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>London As A Local, The Best Non-Touristy Things To Do<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

 
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Pick Up Some Trinkets At Inspitalfields<\/h2>\n

Tucked quietly aside in the bustling market building is the unique InSpitalfields gift store<\/a>. Lovers of coffee table books and scented candles will adore Inspitalfields; whether you\u2019re just browsing, or looking for a friend\u2019s birthday present, you won\u2019t be disappointed by the range of products here. Admire their sophisticated yet unusual home d\u00e9cor range and flick through the glossy pages of their photography books.<\/p>\n

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Browse The Shops On Commercial Street<\/h2>\n

In contrast that is almost amusing, Commercial Street<\/a> seems to mark the border between East London and The City. One side of the road is home to a number of graffiti-clad streetwear haunts, whilst the other houses a neat row of upper-end high street stores, such as & Other Stories and Diptyque.<\/p>\n

Browsing through both sets of stores will give you an impression of the two stereotypical types of \u2018Londoner\u2019 \u2013 and will have you walking away with a slightly emptier bank account, too.<\/p>\n

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Try Some Fish And Chips At Poppie\u2019s<\/h2>\n

While the classic British dish of Fish and Chips traditionally hails from the UK\u2019s seaside towns, London-based Poppie\u2019s<\/a> is a worthy competitor. A small, nautically-designed 1950s-style restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating, Poppie\u2019s is the perfect place to stop for lunch as you venture towards East London.<\/p>\n

If you choose to take away your fish and chips, it\u2019ll be served to you wrapped in a newspaper: a tradition which was beloved by the restaurant\u2019s founder almost 70 years ago! Poppie\u2019s also boasts a professional fishmonger on-site, guaranteeing some of the freshest fish London has to offer.<\/p>\n

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Admire The Street Art & The Street Fashion<\/h2>\n

East London is often admired \u2013 among many things \u2013 for its creative, colourful range of street art.<\/p>\n

As you wander east towards Brick Lane, make sure to stop and absorb the works of talented street artists, depicting various elements of London life. Brick Lane itself is home to a number of such pieces: especially if you stray from the path and into some of the smaller side streets.<\/p>\n

Being the home of London\u2019s streetwear scene, it\u2019s little wonder that this neighbourhood is often flooded with some of the city\u2019s most savvily-dressed locals. Expect wild hair colours and cutting-edge sportswear. Take some time to get lost in this area, and you may stumble across new, unseen art and fashion statements.<\/p>\n

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Enjoy The Music At Rough Trade<\/h2>\n

An iconic company for London\u2019s music history, Rough Trade<\/a> began life in 1978 as a record label and vinyl store, which represented artists such as The Smiths and The Libertines.<\/p>\n

Although the two entities separated only 4 years later, the shop still stands today, with 3 different locations in London and one in New York. Whilst Rough Trade is primarily a record and CD store, whose shelves burrow deep into the long, narrow building, it also acts as a music venue for up-and-coming artists.<\/p>\n

The store\u2019s decidedly punk-rock identity is still evident now, with musicians and music enthusiasts from all across the city meeting there at any time of day. Rough Trade also boasts a coffee bar at the front of its Brick Lane store.<\/p>\n

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth At Dark Sugars<\/h2>\n

The sugary waft of Dark Sugars\u2019 chocolate will reach you before the store is even in sight. Nestled into the heart of Brick Lane, this chocolate shop and caf\u00e9 is almost dangerous for any chocoholics.<\/p>\n

Its handcrafted wooden tables are lined with endless squares of chocolate in all shades and sizes; their flavours are unique but delicious, with names such as \u2018Irish Kiss\u2019 and \u2018Pistachio Pipette\u2019.<\/p>\n

What makes Dark Sugars<\/a> even more dangerous is their \u2018serve yourself\u2019 system: you simply pick up a bag and a pair of tongs and stuff in as much as humanly possible. At only \u00a37.50 per 100g, the value is pretty incredible, too. Alternatively, grab one of their rich, creamy hot chocolate to-go.<\/p>\n

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Have A Curry On Brick Lane<\/h2>\n

Home to London\u2019s Bangladeshi community, Brick Lane is famous mostly for its endless rows of authentic curry houses and Indian restaurants. If you\u2019re a little overwhelmed by the choice of restaurant, then don\u2019t fret: all the curries on Brick Lane are guaranteed to be fresh, delicious, and loaded with spice.<\/p>\n

This humble street, with its colourful walls and youthful population, is a favourite local hangout in the evenings and at weekends. Once you\u2019ve finished your curry, there are a number of traditional pubs to choose from if your night isn\u2019t yet over.<\/p>\n

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Sample Some Street Food<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re still feeling a little peckish, then head back towards Old Spitalfields Market, where the pedestrianised road linking Lamb Street with Spital Square is dotted with street food stands. Each tiny, repurposed van offers a different cuisine or food type.<\/p>\n

For DIY pasta, try Lovely Pasta; if you\u2019re feeling adventurous, then sample Beijummy\u2019s Amazonian flatbreads. Meat lovers should make a beeline for The Duck Truck, which sells customisable fresh crispy duck wraps, and also a \u2018pulled duck\u2019 brioche burger.<\/p>\n

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Where To Stay In & Near Spitalfields<\/h2>\n

Budget: St Christopher\u2019s Inn Liverpool Street<\/h3>\n

Backpackers will love this conveniently-located hostel, which sits just minutes from London Liverpool Street train station. The newest of this company\u2019s London-based hostels, St Christopher\u2019s Inn<\/a> is perched right above a traditional British pub \u2013 which guests are encouraged to make use of!<\/p>\n

The clean, modern hostel welcomes people from all walks of life, whether you\u2019re a seasoned backpacker or you prefer a slow travel approach to adventure. St Christopher\u2019s Inn<\/a> offers a range of private rooms and relatively small dorms, where prices start at around \u00a325 per night.<\/p>\n

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Mid-range: House of Sebastiao Maria<\/h3>\n

A cosy-yet-modern guesthouse, House of Sebastiao Maria<\/a> is located just a short walk from Spitalfields Market and prides itself on its uniqueness. With three different \u2018houses\u2019 along the same street \u2013 The Townhouse, The Rooms, and The Yard \u2013 each location offers something for every guest.<\/p>\n

The rooms each have their own distinct character, managing to make their guests feel right at home in such a huge city. The guesthouse<\/a> is perfect for families, couples, or groups of friends looking to explore London\u2019s East End in style. Rooms start from roughly \u00a3110 per night.<\/p>\n

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Luxury: Ace Hotel Shoreditch<\/h3>\n

Just a short walk north of Brick Lane lies East London\u2019s most sought-after place to stay: The Ace Hotel Shoreditch<\/a>. Its contemporary, semi-industrial d\u00e9cor is reminiscent of a New York loft apartment, appealing to East London\u2019s fashion-conscious, streetwise population.<\/p>\n

The hotel offers a range of suites and room styles, including a Junior Suite with a rooftop terrace, and an Ace Suite, which also boasts a separate living area. The hotel\u2019s swanky, spacious common areas also serve as events venues, with live jazz concerts and rooftop sundown sessions. Room rates start from around \u00a3200 per night.<\/p>\n

Spitalfields Wrap Up<\/h2>\n

Spitalfields is one of the most interesting and unique areas in London. From admiring the creative street art, to eating delicious international food, to shopping til you drop, you can find plenty to do for a full day in Spitalfields. Make sure to spend a day or 2 in the area next time you are in East London!<\/p>\n

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We hope that this article has helped inspire you to visit Spitalfields, London. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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