A local’s guide to visiting Spitalfields, East London, from food spots to historical sites, shopping and street art areas – all the must-visit places!
Some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in London, which also sometimes double as historically criminal areas, include Spitalfields, close to Liverpool Street, Bethnal Green and Shoreditch.
Today, you will find in the gorgeous Spitalfields neighborhood some really quaint restaurants and perfect study cafes.
That’s not all, though.
You’ll also come across medieval sites, which enhance the area’s importance while building your bucket list to visit London.
Spitalfields, a historically criminal neighborhood during the 19th century, has now become one of the trendiest areas to walk around London.
And that’s one to visit absolutely, especially if beautiful buildings and historical neighborhoods are your jam.
Spitalfields, London: History, Hidden Gems and Things to Do
At some point, not that far, during history, Spitalfields was notably renowned for being the murder place of Mary Jane Kelly, the final victim of Jack the Ripper, in Dorset Street.
Today, for whoever is in love with Neapolitan pizza, budget shops like Tiger, or high-end makeup shops like Spacer NK, Spitalfields and its market are a perfect place to visit whether you are a tourist or a long-time Londoner.
All around the Spitalfields neighborhood, plenty of gems are simply awaiting your curious eye.
These include not only architectural wonders but also secret sculptures and gorgeous restaurants in easy-to-reach areas:
- The Bethnal Green neighborhood
- Liverpool Street
- Shoreditch
- Hackney
- The City of London
Which is why, whether you’re a historical site lover or are just looking to hang around in some of London’s cutest cafes, the Spitalfields area is one you have to visit!
Best Things to Do in Spitalfields London: Puma Court
Timidly facing the Old Spitalfields Market, closer to Brick Lane than to Liverpool Street, Puma Court is one of these hidden London alleyways perfect for any photographer in love with the past.
Part of the quaint Puma Court used to be almshouses, of the kind you can also find in the Stepney Green neighborhood, further East and closer to Mile End.
Today, the painted shutters add even more character to the already gorgeous Georgian buildings built along Puma Court, which make it a really cute place to visit.
It almost looks like a tiny village inside London, doesn’t it?
Read: The Guide to Fleet Street, London’s Historic Publishing Street
Best Places to Visit in Spitalfields London: Old Spitalfields Market
When I told you all about my favorite Shoreditch markets, I briefly mentioned the Old Spitalfields Market, which is a hidden gem in itself.
In there, you will find anything from antiques to clothes and bags, as well as plenty of souvenirs – whatever you think you need to buy in London, you’ll find there, pretty much.
At the Old Spitalfields Market, some really cool places are the Itsu restaurant, if you don’t want to overthink it, but there are also a couple of really cute bakeries you would do well to visit.
From vegan doughnuts to gorgeous Italian pastries, the Old Spitalfields Market really has it all.
In addition, you’ll also find there a couple of beauty shops you don’t want to miss, like The Ordinary, MAC Cosmetics, and Space NK on the outside.
Do not miss the sculpture inside the Aesop shop, which would almost remind you of those you’d find in London’s museums, like the British Museum or the Sir John Soane’s Museum!
Read: The Guide to Smithfield, London’s Forgotten Neighborhood
Best Things to Do in Spitalfields London: Brushfield Street’s Hidden Gems
The A Pear and a Fig sculpture, one of Spitalfield’s hidden gems, is one I love to admire every time I am trying to reach Brick Lane from Liverpool Street.
The entire Brushfield Street is filled with absolutely beautiful buildings.
Some still show a facade with faded prints, and the one pictured above a reminder of the French milliner shop that used to be established on the spot, before it turned into a deli, and is now empty.
Exactly the kind of faded prints you love if you are interested in learning about London’s history, which is quite rich in all of the beautiful East London neighborhoods!
Read: The Complete Guide to Covent Garden, Central London
Best Places to Visit in Spitalfields London: Bishop’s Square
Located only a few steps away from Brushfield Street, Bishop’s Square is currently one of the secret London gardens I enjoy spending time at most.
It is not rare to find secluded gardens of the like with a pond or fountains in the middle, like you do at St Pancras Square, located between St Pancras Station and the gorgeous Coal Drops Yard.
However, to find colorful fish in these water points is a tad rarer, which also makes me feel like I’m in a perfect writing spot every time I spend a moment at Bishop’s Square.
The market is almost at arm’s length, filled with its incredible street food and hot chocolate stands, and that’s also where you’ll find some of the best Neapolitan pizza in London, at Sud Italia.
But before you get on to taste these incredibly cheesy pizze, wait for a moment – stay at Bishop’s Square, and discover the medieval Charnel House.
Read: The Most Secret Churches in the City of London
Best Things to Do in Spitalfields London: Spitalfields Charnel House
It makes no doubt that the Spitalfields Charnel House is one of my personal favorite medieval sites in London, and one that many a Londoner misses – we are indeed so very busy when living in London!
The former ossuarium, used as a repository for human bones from nearby burial grounds, and part of St Mary Magdalene and St Edmund the Bishop’s chapel.
We’re going back to 1320 here, in the midst of the Middle Ages, which makes the Spitalfields Charnel House a historically rich, albeit forgotten place to visit absolutely when in London.
It’s completely free to enter, too, if you’re only looking for absolutely free things to do in London – all you have to do is go down a few stairs in the middle of Bishop’s Square.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair
Best Places to Visit in Spitalfields London: Gun Street
When you see Gun Street, it’s really easy to tell yourself that the buildings are indeed beautiful, typical of the Spitalfields area, but not looking further would prevent you from learning about the street’s history.
For instance, that Gun Street leads to Artillery Lane, and was said to run along the line of the gunnery within the Old Artillery Ground (very weapon-y names, as well).
Or that Gun Street, like Spitalfields and more generally East London, welcomed many a Huguenot refugee from France from the 17th to the 18th centuries, who then contributed to the development of the neighborhood in the textile field.
Or that the Spitalfields is historically a Jewish area, home to the ‘Jews fleeing the pogroms in Eastern Europe’, establishing businesses still thriving today.
A couple of easy examples being Beigel Shop and Beigel Bake on Brick Lane, which have been opened for decades, and the textile shops that can still be found around Brick Lane.
Or, even, that you can still find two sculptures representing the Kindertransport in the Liverpool Street area – which are gorgeous, by the way, and so very moving.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge
Best Things to Do in Spitalfields London: Artillery Passage
Artillery Passage is located right in the heart of Spitalfields, and really close to Pizza Union, one of the spots I’ll mention further down this guide – perfect for quick and cheap pizza.
One of London’s secret passageways, Artillery Passage is lined with perfume shops, bakeries such as Ottolenghi, as well as a pub with picturesque tables and flowers on the outside.
The small alley is named after the artillery ground which used to occupy the area, and one of the cute streets that make you feel like you’re visiting a village, a Peaky Blinders or Harry Potter location all rolled into one.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in West London
Best Places to Visit in Spitalfields London: Ben Eine on Alphabet House, Middlesex Street
Any street art lover knowns that East London is filled with murals and colorful stickers which adorn the buildings of Shoreditch, Brick Lane, and Bethnal Green.
(By the way, if you’re ever looking for street art in Bethnal Green, located quite close to Spitalfields, there’s a very secret old mews street, Voss Street, filled with street art and cobblestones).
On a building of Middlesex Street, just off Bishopsgate, you will find an eye-catching typography-based mural designed by renowned street artist Ben Eine.
The mural is now so famous that Middlesex Street is also known amongst locals as Alphabet Street, and a must-see when you’re walking around East London!
And for a really cool cheap food spot, just a couple of seconds away from the Alphabet House, you’ll find Franco Manca, with their to-die-for Neapolitan pizze.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Covent Garden
Best Things to Do in Spitalfields London: Fournier Street
Fournier Street, like Puma Court, is a gorgeous East London street lined with elegant Georgian townhouses, and perfect to snap a couple of shots.
You will find a few very unique shops along Fournier Street, as well as a church and its garden.
Plus, since Fournier Street is located close to the Old Spitalfields Market and all its restaurants, it’s easily accessible.
The street is one of the most important ones in Spitalfields, and reflects the area’s history as a hub for silk weaving and garment manufacturing in the 18th century.
A gorgeous street to walk around while walking from Liverpool Street Station to Brick Lane!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in South London
Best Places to Visit in Spitalfields London: Bishopsgate Institute
The Bishopsgate Institute is not only a great place to study in London, all calm and quiet that it is.
Founded in 1895, the Bishopsgate Institute is now used as an exhibition space, and like the Whitechapel Gallery, one of London’s free museums, focuses on social topics.
You can attend lectures insides, courses and workshops, and in addition to that, the Bishopsgate Institute is also a beautiful building to admire, what with all its Victorian details.
When walking down Bishopsgate, you cannot miss this building, and once you’re done checking out the running exhibitions, pop by Eataly for a snack.
Eataly is only one of the best Italian food shops in London, and one where you can also just buy a piece of focaccia or pizza, as well as do your weekly shopping – a must-visit!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in East London
Best Things to Do in Spitalfields London: Wilkes Street
Wilkes Street is, like Fournier Street, one of the prettiest streets in East London, lined with converted warehouses and period townhouses.
Since Spitalfields is a historically industrial neighborhood, it always makes for a great visit if you’re interested in learning about the city’s past.
Wilkes Street has now been turned into homes, with colorful shutters and plants which are a perfect background for pictures, whether it’s spring, summer or autumn in London.
On your way to Brick Lane from the Old Spitalfields Market, don’t miss this place, as it’s really another London spot that will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in North London
Best Places to Visit in Spitalfields London: Pizza Union
Anyone looking for the cheapest pizza in London would do well to check out Pizza Union, which I tried for the first time a few months ago – and which I loved, considering the price point.
The fact that I’m currently living between London’s colorful lattes and Rome’s pizza places makes me just a tad more difficult when I’m choosing an Italian restaurant, I have to admit it.
Closer to both New York and Roman-style pizza, the dough at Pizza Union, in the heart of the Spitalfields neighborhood, is slightly crispy, with quite a few vegetarian, vegan and meat options.
By any means, whether you’re walking around the Spitalfields neighborhood during the morning or the afternoon, avoid Pizza Union during lunch time.
That’s where workers from nearby buildings and the City of London area come to eat, and while service is lightning fast, Pizza Union gets really loud and crowded.
However, still a great spot to eat when you’re done with the Spitalfields area and are getting ready to visit Liverpool Street or Brick Lane’s street art!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street
Spitalfields, London: History, Hidden Gems and Things to Do
There you have them, all the best things to do in Spitalfields, London, and some really close areas nearby!
You’ll hopefully found here new secret photo spots you wouldn’t have thought of, as well as shops and places to eat near Liverpool Street to make those tastebuds dance.
If you are willing to keep discovering East London, why not visit these when you’re done with Spitalfields:
- the Shadwell area
- the Limehouse neighborhood
- the Canary Wharf neighborhood
There’s so much to see in East London, and from maritime neighborhoods to industrial buildings, any history and architecture lover will enjoy these!