A Quick Guide to East London’s Coolest Neighbourhoods: Shoreditch, Hackney & Beyond

There’s no city quite like London.

On one end, you’ll find yourself amidst the buzzing shopping complexes, iconic historical sites, and beautiful garden squares covering every expanse of the land. This is West London.

On the other end, you’ll find yourself navigating through busy alleyways, crowded artisanal and farmers’ markets, and creative artworks and murals. This is the eastern side of London.

Most short-term travellers build their itinerary with West London as the main appeal. And naturally, this makes sense as the bulk of London’s most famous attractions are situated there.

But you shouldn’t miss out on East London. Many cool neighbourhoods and hidden spots are scattered around this district, overflowing with culture and historical interest.

If you want to add more local flavour to your London itinerary, look no further. This article will serve as a quick guide to help you find the coolest spots in East London.

Let’s get started!

Shoreditch

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If you’re keen to experience East London’s creative edginess firsthand, visiting Shoreditch should be high on your bucket list.

This neighbourhood is packed with indie shops, creative street murals, and gastronomic delights that are sure to satisfy any traveller looking to soak in the raw and grungy side of London.

With the iconic Brick Lane Market situated in this neighbourhood, it’s not uncommon for travellers to have Shoreditch on their itinerary. That said, there are tons of other spots in this neighbourhood well worth exploring.

First up: the Nomadic Community Garden. This outdoor space has a creative, urban flair that’s worth seeing firsthand, as it showcases the creative resilience of the space.

Next in your Shoreditch itinerary is to try out different local activities, like London Sip & Paint with Pinot & Picasso. This creative experience lets you enjoy a local sip-and-paint session, complete with all the art supplies you need and guidance from welcoming, hands-on instructors.

We recommend that you explore the neighbourhood on foot and surprise yourself with what you can find. Shoreditch has colourful murals and shops dotted at every corner, so you’re bound to enjoy a cool London experience in this neighbourhood wherever you go!

Hackney

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If food is a priority whenever you travel, then you will love Hackney in East London. This is one of London’s premier nightlife hotspots, filled with bars and dance clubs perfect for a fun night out with friends.

During the day, Hackney is also home to many bakeries that serve delectable pastries and breads. Art galleries and canal paths also dot the neighbourhood, staying true to its creative roots.

If you’re in Hackney at the right time, you can also visit the many markets within the area, namely Broadway Market and Columbia Road Flower Market. You can easily spend a whole day in Hackney exploring the local scene and its eclectic selection of foods in the local markets.

There are many hidden gems in Hackney, but one you might love in particular is the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art, and UnNatural History. This local museum is home to bizarre oddities you must see to believe. If you don’t want to visit anything too eccentric, you can tone it down at the Hackney City Farm, where you’ll see strolling animals and quaint gardens.

Leyton

While Hackney and Shoreditch are quite popular East London neighbourhoods, Leyton is a classic example of an easy-to-overlook one. This area is slowly rising in the ranks thanks to the influx of young professionals and families moving into the district.

Thanks to this increase in population, this neighbourhood is taking on a new shape that reflects the community that nurtures it. In particular, locals and travellers alike are bound to find a fair amount of food, drink, arts, and culture when they set foot in this community.

The main appeal of Leyton lies in its growing food scene. You can find pop-up food stalls and cosy cafes around every corner of Francis Road.

Beyond food, however, Leyton has many other things to do. Some popular choices are to wander through the Coronation Gardens or watch a match at Leyton Orient FC to immerse yourself in this vibrant English locale.

Spitalfields

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Another culturally dynamic neighbourhood found in London’s East End is Spitalfields. This district is the perfect place to take a stroll and enjoy the city’s rich history, as roads like the Puma Court and Princelet Street are lined with 18th-century Huguenot houses—or old-fashioned tenement housing.

It’s not just Spitalfields’ enriching past that makes it worth a visit. This district is a buzzing hub where new restaurants, pubs, and shops constantly pop up for locals and tourists alike. A must-visit section of Spitalfields is the Old Spitalfields Market, which serves international food and drink, has dozens of amazing shops, and has been around for hundreds of years, giving you a glimpse of the multicultural heart of this neighbourhood.

While in Spitalfields, take a Jack the Ripper walking tour. This will give you the chance to explore the narrow alleyways and historic streets where the crimes of this serial killer unfolded. You can also pay a visit to the Truman Brewery at night for a good, old-fashioned pub experience in the city.

Walthamstow

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If you want to explore a walkable and often-overlooked side of East London, Walthamstow is a good place to visit.

This district is home to the Walthamstow Market, which is the second-longest outdoor market in Europe at about a kilometre long. Furthermore, this district also houses dozens of contemporary shops and restaurants that serve cuisine from all over the world.

Street art and murals in Walthamstow, just like in much of East London, are abundant and full of character. What puts this neighbourhood on the tourist track is the presence of a bold and eccentric gallery called God’s Own Junkyard. This warehouse features vintage retro art that makes for a great photoshoot backdrop.

Besides that museum, there are also natural wetlands and parks like Lloyd Park that can satisfy people who want to escape into pockets of nature. In any case, if you want to wind down and explore a slow but charming neighbourhood, then Walthamstow should be up your alley.

Dalston

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To round off this list, Dalston is another vibrant neighbourhood in the East End that’s worth a visit. This part of town is about as multicultural as it can get, with heavy Afro-Caribbean and Turkish influences. If you want to grab a kebab or a jerk chicken, Dalston has you covered. This part of East London is known for its wide variety of budget and authentic meals, making it a hotspot for locals.

Besides the food scene, Dalston also has a pretty good nightlife scene. You can hop into local jazz bars, party at clubs, or watch independent cinemas inside this district. You can also pay a visit to the iconic Arcola Theatre and watch a play if you fancy some live entertainment.

In any case, Dalston is a great place to go to for some after-hours fun or some cheap, authentic cuisine. If you happen to swing by the area, don’t miss out on the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden for a relaxing natural escape in an oasis within the city.

We hope these tips will serve you well in your next visit to East London. All the best!

About the Author

Sarah Keller is the Content Specialist at Visiting.com.au. From Sydney, Australia, Sarah specialises in tech, finance, and travel writing. She loves staying up to date with industry news so she can bring well-researched, timely, and accurate information to her readers.

Featured image by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash