Part of the Shoreditch district, Old Street is packed to the hilt with trendy bars featuring live music and up and coming DJs, vintage markets, amazing eateries, and historical buildings. Here are the best things to do, eat and see in and around Old Street:
Boxpark Shoreditch
A short walk from Old Street station, Boxpark launched back in 2011 as the world’s first pop-up shopping mall and has since become a staple of the East London scene. There are around fifty carefully selected fashion brands and food and drink retailers housed in shipping containers providing the best street food, drinks, shopping and entertainment all under one roof. In addition, Boxpark Shoreditch has a programme of events from arts, fashion, live music shows, markets, poetry and comedy nights ensuring there is something for everyone in the community. Resident DJs also put on regular club nights ranging in genres from House, Hip Hop, Grime, Afro Beats, Old School or Electronic music.
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Brick Lane
Until fairly recently, Brick Lane in the heart of Shoreditch was best known for its fantastic South Asian restaurants originally set up by newly arrived Bengali immigrants in the 1960s and 1970s. It became the place to go for a curry and BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze, which means you can bring your own alcoholic drinks into the restaurant), and there are still plenty of these places today. However, there is now a variety of eating places such as taco joints and the street’s iconic bagel shops including the Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery.
Brick Lane also incorporates five different markets known as The Truman Markets. The best day is Sunday and in the Old Truman Brewery is a food hall with street food vendors selling a huge array of cuisine called The Sunday Upmarket. There are also more than 200 market stalls here selling everything from old electricals to vintage clothing, fashion by new and established designers, jewellery, homewares and old vinyls.
Flight Club
If you’re looking for something social and a bit different then head to Flight Club, Shoreditch. The traditional British pub game of darts has been revolutionised and brought into the 21st century bringing groups together for moments of great entertainment with fast-paced, multi-player games. The scores are also all done by computer so no need to worry about lost chalk, or running out of fingers!
The food is decent and reasonably priced and ranges from pizza paddles made for sharing to burgers and mini plates, such as butternut squash, feta and coriander arancini and buttermilk-fried chicken with crispy shallots and a chipotle and lime mayo. The drinks focus on craft beer and cocktails.
Tower of London
The Tower of London, the capital’s towering fortress dating back over 900 years remains one of London’s best and most well-known historical attractions. Located next to the iconic Tower Bridge, there are easily a whole day’s worth of activities here. Interactive displays showcase the lives of past British monarchs and don’t miss out on a detailed in-depth tour led by one of the brilliant Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters), dressed in full costume. To avoid the queues, arrive early to see the infamous Crown Jewels. If jewellery is not your thing then head over to the White Tower where you’ll find a collection of shiny torture tools. There’s also a redisplay of the Line of Kings – an original exhibition dating back to the 1680s – which includes wooden horses, Henry VIII’s armour and a scale model of tilting knights.
Spitalfields Market
Old Spitalfields Market is one of east London’s busiest shopping hubs. Built in the 1800s and East London’s most historic trader’s market, the structure was refurbished and rejuvenated in the early 2000s and now houses an array of independent vendors for handmade goods, jewellery, vibrant artwork and gourmet products.
Open 7 days a week, it is the perfect antidote to the high street, and brings together small producers with carefully chosen local creatives and artisans, original independent retailers and a few well-known brands under one historic roof. In the centre of the market floor you will also find ten fully fitted kitchens showcasing exceptional contemporary and authentic cooking.
Check out our Old Street residence which is nearby all these fun locations scattered around East London: