Explore More of East London: The Best Things to Do and See

A Fresh Take on  London 

See a different side of London with guided tours on land and on water. This is London outdoors like you haven’t experienced before. 

Alternative London Tours – Forget what you know about London and take an alternative off-the-beaten-track tour with these award-winning tour guides. They’re all about keeping things real, local, and innovative to make sure you get a fresh perspective no matter how well you know London. They offer a choice of different tours (including bike tours, food tours and craft beer tours) but if you only have time to experience one, then -street art tours are the way to go. 

Ride A Tiger Tour – If the weather is looking like you might get caught in a shower, you might as well go all in with a Thames Tiger speedboat tour. Blast past London’s most iconic landmarks including St Paul’s, The Globe, Tate Modern and the Tower of London on this top-rated Thames boat tour. (Tours leave from Blackfriars Pier which is about 25 minutes from The Gate on public transport)

Shop East London’s Markets 

Swap Selfridges for London’s markets and see some more of London’s outdoors and covered markets. They’ve got the charm, the characters, and the best finds.  

Old Spitalfields – This all-weather market is one of London’s oldest with more than three centuries of market life associated with Old Spitalfields. They have a full calendar of different markes, and it’s worth planning a visit around your shopping preference. LP lovers vinyl market on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month, an every-Wednesday makers market, Thursdays welcome their antiques market and there is a design focused weekend market on the 1st and 3rd weekends of the month.  (Old Spitalfields is a short 10 minute walk from The Gate)

Brick Lane Market – Normally sleepy Sunday’s see Brick Lane come to life with their famous market located in the Old Truman Brewery building. The Sunday Upmarket is an evolution of the original Brick Lane Market with 200+ stalls showing off everything from fashion to food. If you’re here on the weekend, it’s well worth a wander. Alternatively, the same venue hosts a food market, an antiques market and an arts and design market every weekend as well as a vintage clothing market every Thursday through to Sunday. (An easy 10-minute walk from The Gate) 

Columbia Road Flower Market – Another great Sunday market for an a different kind of outdoors London experience. The floral wonder of Columbia Road Flower Market changes with the seasons and brings colour to even a grey autumn day. With a history dating back to the 1800’s, a street lined with Victorian buildings and sellers shouting for your attention, it’s a real East End experience.  (A 25 min walk from The Gate (allow a little extra time for a visit to Beigel Bake on your way) or about the same time on public transport)

Eat Your Way Around East London 

From Caribbean BBQ to salt-beef beigels, and from contemporary street food to classic curry houses East London is the home of food diversity in the capital. Experience more of East London’s outdoors with a visit to one of their many many takeaway options. 

Beigel Bake – Serving up some of the local area’s Jewish heritage, Beigel Bake is an institution. They’ve been satisfying customers with fresh beigels stuffed with classics like salmon and cream cheese, hot salt beef and herring 24 hours a day seven days a week since the seventies. It’s very affordable, very delicious and just 15 minutes’ walk from The Gate. 

Bengal Village – Another classic with good reason. There is no shortage of curry houses on Brick Lane, and the competition is stiff for which is best. Even just trying to decide our favourite wasn’t simple. But if you want a consistently delicious ‘classic’ Indian takeaway, then Bengal Village has the plaudits and the reviews that are hard to argue with. (8 minutes’ walk from The Gate)

BOXPARK Shoreditch – Modern street food meets pop-up shopping every day of the week at BOXPARK Shoreditch. The ‘box’ DNA is evident in this repurposed shipping container design hub. (15 minutes’ walk from The Gate)