London Shoreditch: 10 Tips for the Trendy Neighborhood

Shoreditch in London is one of the trendiest, hippest neighborhoods, attracting many artists. But also numerous cafes, bars, pubs, and clubs, as well as cool markets like the Brick Lane Market on Sundays, have settled there. Street art enlivens the streets, and a young audience keeps Shoreditch growing.

A Day in the London Neighborhood of Shoreditch – Our Tips

The Shoreditch neighborhood spans across three train stations: Aldgate East, Liverpool Street, and Shoreditch High Street. The boundaries with the neighboring Hoxton district often blur for many visitors, so a few highlights of Shoreditch are actually located in Hoxton. However, that’s not a big issue because, in combination, you can explore even more in both neighborhoods.

Shoreditch also serves excellently as a starting point to visit the rest of London. Not far away are the Tower Bridge, the Sky Garden, or the St. Paul’s Cathedral. In this article, we’ll share our tips for London Shoreditch.

How to get to London

The best way to reach London is by airplane, as the city has a total of 5 airports. Many airlines land at Heathrow, Stansted, or Gatwick, but some also arrive at London City or Luton Airport. However, you can reach the city center from anywhere within an hour. The best overviews of flights, prices, and tickets can be found on Skyscanner.

Info: While you can make your way to the city from any airport on your own, if you’re traveling with a group, a pre-booked transfer can be worthwhile.

Furthermore, there are options to reach London by train through the Eurotunnel from Brussels or Paris. Taking a ferry, for example, from Calais to Dover would also be a possibility. However, the most budget-friendly way to get to London is by taking a long-distance bus. For more information on tickets and prices, you can check out Omio.

Accommodation in London – our hotel tip

During our stay in London, we stayed at the Ibis London City Shoreditch. The hotel is located just a few minutes’ walk from Aldgate East Metro station. Right next door, you’ll find a Tesco Lotus supermarket, and Petticoat Lane Market is also reachable within a 2-minute walk. A great starting point.

The rooms are a bit smaller, which is usually the norm in London. However, they come equipped with everything you need. Television, private bathroom, comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi, and a fantastic breakfast buffet are provided by the Ibis Shoreditch. You can find more hotels in other neighborhoods of London here.

1. Brick Lane Market

Every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the Brick Lane Market takes place on none other than Brick Lane itself. It starts just after the Old Truman Brewery, where you’ll also find the Backyard Market (see next point).

At the beginning, there are various street food stands offering all sorts of things. Fruit shakes, German sausages, burritos, crêpes, ice cream, coffee, and much more. A bit further back, the shops begin where you can buy clothing, accessories, vinyl records, books, and other odds and ends. A great place to capture the atmosphere of Shoreditch.

2. Backyard Market

Right next to the old Truman Brewery, you’ll find another market. The Backyard Market has been around since 2006 and is open on Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. While some food stalls are set up in front of the entrance, the small hall features handcrafted accessories and art.

A quick visit to the Backyard Market pairs perfectly with the Brick Lane Market (see point 1) on Sundays. They are only a few meters apart from each other. By the way, you’ll also find a few food stalls right in front of the Backyard Market if you’re hungry and can’t wait until the Brick Lane Market.

3. Columbia Road Flower Market

Not far from Brick Lane, a short distance east of Shoreditch (though still mentioned in relation to the neighborhood), the Columbia Road Flower Market takes place every Sunday. The best way to reach this market is from the Hoxton metro station.

From 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, you can explore the flower market on Columbia Road, while the scents of local and exotic plants waft into your nostrils. There are also various shops around, such as second-hand stores, cafes, pubs, restaurants, or art galleries. A lovely place to start your Sunday morning.

Tip: If you have time, you can also explore the Hoxton district. Here, too, you’ll find plenty of street art, art galleries, restaurants, bars, or you can relax like the locals at Hoxton Square.

4. Street Art

The East End of London, including Shoreditch, is renowned for its abundant street art. Almost every corner showcases artworks on the building walls. From Banksy to more contemporary artists like Pablo Delgado, and even Roa, known for massive animal murals, you can discover amazing street art everywhere.

A great alternative to discover Street Art in Shoreditch or London’s East End is also one of the popular Street Art tours. It lasts for 2 hours, takes you past numerous artworks, and a guide provides you with insightful behind-the-scenes perspectives.

5. Beigel Bake

On Brick Lane, you’ll find Beigel Bake, one of the most popular bagel shops in Shoreditch. It’s open 24 hours, and at many times of the day, there are even queues outside the door. And why is that? Because of the £4.50 Salt Beef Bagel, filled with tender beef, pickles, and mustard. It’s the highlight of Beigel Bake, an institution on Brick Lane since 1974.

6. Small Cafes

While taking a stroll through Shoreditch, you’ll also come across many charming small cafes that are worth stopping at. Whether it’s just for a coffee, a few cookies, or a slice of cake.

More and more of these small cafes are popping up, competing alongside the large chains. So, the next time you crave a coffee, why not skip Starbucks and instead support the small businesses, like the one in the photo.

7. Old Spitalfields Market

For over 350 years, the Old Spitalfields Market has existed, making it one of the oldest markets in London. Throughout the centuries, the market has evolved, and its current form has been around since 1991.

Inside, you’ll find mainly arts and crafts, accessories, clothing, souvenirs, second-hand goods, jewelry, and of course, various food stalls and restaurants. A stroll through the Old Spitalfields Market pairs well with an early lunch in the late morning.

The Old Spitalfields Market is open daily from 10:00 AM, although some sales and food stalls may not open until around 11:00 AM. It typically closes around 5:00 PM. While some stalls stay open a bit longer, the offerings tend to diminish with each passing minute.

8. Boxpark

The Boxpark was the world’s first Pop-Up Mall and still remains a popular destination for many visitors and residents of Shoreditch. The Boxpark consists of numerous shipping containers that have been converted into nearly 50 restaurants, bars, cafes, and other shops.

Since 2011, Boxpark Shoreditch has been in operation, originally intended to last for only 5 years. However, due to its strong reception, it continues to thrive. In fact, two additional Boxparks have been added in Croydon and Wembley. On two floors, you’ll mostly find shopping on the lower level, while the upper level focuses more on street food. It’s a fantastic concept that has gained significant popularity.

9. Petticoat Lane Market

The Petticoat Lane Market is considered one of the oldest markets in the United Kingdom and spans across two streets. From Sunday to Friday, the market takes place on Wentworth Street, and on Sundays, the Middlesex Street is added, significantly expanding the size of the Petticoat Lane Market.

Originally known for clothing, the Petticoat Lane Market nowadays offers everything to buy: accessories, souvenirs, fruits, vegetables, and second-hand goods. With over 1000 stalls, there’s certainly something for everyone, and if you happen to stroll through the Shoreditch markets on a Sunday, don’t miss the Petticoat Lane Market.

10. Nightlife in Shoreditch

The young scene in Shoreditch has naturally led to significant developments in the nightlife. From trendy pubs and bars to clubs, you’ll find everything here. A popular pub to start the evening is, for example, Truman’s Pub, which has its own brewery a few meters away, or The Pride of Spitalfields.

After visiting a pub, you can move on to open-air pubs, cocktail bars, or even some of the trendiest clubs in London. XOYO is an absolutely popular club in Shoreditch. XOYO is spread across two floors, where internationally renowned DJs play, and it’s even open until 3:00 AM on weekdays.

You can experience something different at Bounce. Here, there are ping-pong tables, foosball, darts, and other games to liven up your evening. Or you can visit Queen of Hoxton with a rooftop where they sometimes show films, as well as host other events and parties.

If you don’t want to go out alone or are still wondering where to go, then we can recommend a Shoreditch Pub and Club Tour. This way, you’ll also receive many benefits.

London Shoreditch: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know London Shoreditch in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for London Shoreditch.

Tip: If you don’t have too much time to explore Shoreditch and all its corners on your own, then the tour Discover Shoreditch: London’s Coolest Neighborhood is worth considering. This tour includes visits to Brick Lane, Street Art, Boxpark, and more markets.

Have you visited the Shoreditch district in London yet? Did you enjoy your time there, and do you have more tips to share? Give us feedback in the comments.