East London Overview
Glimmr operates all over the UK, and we love the areas we serve. East London is one of them. We can’t help but get drawn into the swing of the city life and romanced by the vibrancy of the area. Working here is often a pleasure, and sometimes a crowded and stressful time. We know you probably love it already, but here’re some tips from an insider, to help you get the most of your time in the area. And if you need some cleaning in East London, while you’re around, give your friends at Glimmr a call.
Why’s everyone talking about it?
Because it’s on the rise, and it has been for a while now. What with its close proximity to the city, excellent transport links, vibrant culture, and outstanding nightlife. With the ever-increasing influx of artists and creatives, this hipster area is being pushed ever more east. Shoreditch and Brick Lane are very fashionable places, and many brands will pay a premium to associate themselves with the area. East London is a popular destination, and with excellent local craft beer, high class food, and all the cultural attractions of London, it’s easy to understand why.
Fact File:
- Victorian Factories in the area produced many munitions for WW1.
- EastEnders is not shot in Herefordshire, not East London.
- Being so close to the Thames, the area had many shipbuilders and a huge naval history.
- Mile End is so called because it was once one mile from the edge of the city, now it’s well in the thick of it.
People can only call themselves Cockney if they were born within the sound of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside. - Six people died in the fire of London, while seven people have died falling from the monument.
- The earliest opening pub is in East London: the Fox and Anchor in Smithfield meat market is licenced to serve alcohol from 7am to fit in with the early hours worked by market porters.
Architecture and Properties
The area saw a lot of development in 2012 for the Olympics, and it’s seen even more ever since. London property prices aren’t going to be falling anytime soon, and so investors see it as a safe bet. Matchmakers Bryant and May had large factories in Bow Road, now turned into a luxury gated community, but it’s a beautiful structure, still with the original red brick. Many Victorian terraced houses sit alongside modern developments and older blocks of council flats. Further east, there are many tower blocks that serve to make denser the already very urban population. Closer to the city you can spot many famous buildings; the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) and the Cheesegrater (The Leadenhall Building) to name but two.
Going Out
The whole area, from Aldgate East to Old Street, is packed with things to do in the evening, and plenty of world renowned clubs for the braver of you. But, in East London, Brick Lane is king of nightlife. The area’s also very good on a Sunday afternoon, with the market selling all sorts you’re sure to pick up something you didn’t realise you needed! Grab a bagel from the top of Brick Lane, and take a a 5 minute walk to Colombia Road Flower Market. Grab yourself a potted plant, or some bulbs for the spring. Spitalfields is close too, try walking through the swanky covered market for a bike to eat – the falafel guy is a must. There are many online shopping stores that deliver products to your doorstep in London as well. One such store is Home Garden and Pets that deliver quality products amongst a wide variety of range.
There’s so much to do in the area. Spend an afternoon in one of East London’s museums; a short distance to the British Museum in Holborn, the V&A Museum of Childhood, or the Ragged School Museum. For Art; the Whitechapel Gallery, the Nunnery Gallery, or Chisenhale Gallery.
Local Services
Visit Stratford International for Westfield and any fulfillment of any and every shopping need. Swimming facilities at
York Hall in Bethnal Green serve the north of the community and local schools, while the sports ground at Mile End and swimming pool there serve the south side of the area. The skate park in Mile End is high quality and worth a visit if that’s your thing. Visit Whitechapel Market for lots of beautiful vegetables, herbs, and fruit, all incredibly cheap. Try visiting one of the thriving early morning markets; Farringdon’s Smithfield for meat, Poplar for Billingsgate’s Fish, or for fruit and veg visit New Spitalfields Market in Leyton.
Green Spaces
Try Victoria Park for a lovely walk, take children to play on the swings and slides, then off to the café and a stroll around the lake. Try walking down along the canal, north to Camden, or south to Canary Warf. Either way, you’ll pass through several green spaces and enjoy being beside the water while looking at all the houseboats. Visit Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for the most dense nature East London has to offer; foxes, birds, and even one redwood. Visit the Soanes Centre in the park for brilliant activities with kids, make sure to contact them in advance to join their science and wildlife workshops!
Transport
With excellent links to many tube lines, East London is well connected. It’s only a few stops on the bus away from central London and many great days out, in fact, busses serve this area incredibly well. Jump on and off one of the myriad of different routes. Or, if you really want to see the area, hire a ‘Boris Bike’ from one of the many available pavement ranks, and have a cycle through the parks. We’re close to Kings Cross and Liverpool Street for any mainline trains to the rest of the country. Stanstead is an airport only a 45 minute drive from most of East London.