When the Romans invaded Britain, they made Colchester in Essex their capital. Lying in the south east of England and bordering with Greater London, this former Roman stronghold boasts some extraordinary sites. The naming of Colchester, supposedly from a mythical king ‘King Ceol’, is said to have inspired the nursery rhyme ‘Old King Cole’. Colchester …
Kent, in south-east England, is the most populated county in the UK. Perhaps most famous for the white cliffs of Dover, Kent has always been the gateway to Britain. This historical county can trace its name as far back as the 4th century BC when it was called ‘Cantium’, from the Celtic word for ‘coastal …
Ten Hauntings On The London Underground The London Underground has been in service for over 150 years, with the Thames Tunnel opening in 1843 to make it the world’s oldest underground rail network. Millions of commuters, tourists and regular Londoners use the Underground every day without incident, but the truth is that the Underground has …
Tower of London Trivia The Tower of London is a must-see attraction for any tourist visiting England’s capital city. But for those keen to look deeper than Beefeaters, executions and ravens, here are five lesser known facts about the Tower. 1: Going Up in the World Why does the staircase in the White Tower spiral …
Although Hackney sits in the very heart of the busy East End, we should not forget that this area was once a small rural series of hamlets. It became popular with medieval royals as an area close to London where they could relax and enjoy the outdoor life and over the years Hackney developed into …
The Hackney Empire is probably the best known theatre in the East End that is still open for business. This was one of the main music hall theatres to entertain local East Enders in Victorian times and it has seen more than a few past and present well-known names grace its stage during its time. …
Although much of the East End has been renovated over the years and the area is seen as being more modern than traditional, you can still find historical buildings in the area that hark back to older times. A visit to Hackney, for example, could include a trip to an authentic Grade II listed Tudor …
If you find yourself with some time to spare in Hackney, perhaps after or before a visit to the area’s Tudor Sutton House or Roman Road market, then you may enjoy popping into the local museum on Reading Lane. Established in 2002, this museum gives you an interesting insight into the lives of the people …
Little remains of the original 16th century parish church that once stood in Hackney and served the local population’s religious needs for centuries. But, luckily, its historic church tower has been preserved even though the church itself was demolished in 1798. If you find yourself in the Hackney area on a day when it is …
If you’re visiting London and you want some time out away from city life, then the East End’s Spitalfields area has the ideal solution for you. In the middle of the urban East End, just ten minutes’ walk from Liverpool Street station, you can visit the rural tranquillity of the Spitalfields City Farm. This is …
The East End of London started life as a predominantly rural area. However, its proximity to the edge of the city and its easy access to water soon turned it into the capital’s industrial heart. If you are interested in learning more about the city’s milling heritage, then make a visit to the House Mill. …
If you find yourself in the Beckton area of the East End, then make sure to make a visit to the Newham City Farm, especially if you have animal loving kids with you. This is one of London’s oldest and most popular city farms, giving you a chance to spend some time with over 200 …
You may not automatically associate London’s East End with art galleries, but the area is home to many famous and popular venues, including the Whitechapel Gallery. Founded in the early 20th century, this gallery has hosted many famous exhibitions over the years and has had a major part to play in the development of many …
The East End’s Isle of Dogs may not be the first place you think about visiting when you want to enjoy green spaces and fresh air, but the local Mudchute community on the island has created a lovely park with a large city farm that is well worth a visit. This really is a get-away-from-it-all …
Visiting a cemetery may not seem like a whole load of fun, but if you find yourself near Mile End then you should take a detour to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. The site was once one of the largest cemeteries in London, but it is now an impressive woodlands nature reserve. You may just …
Once a rural and relatively wild area of marshland that was mainly used for animal pasture, the Isle of Dogs is now the financial hub of London. Home to the impressive skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, this area has seen some massive changes and events over the centuries and is well worth a visit if you …
If you find yourself in Leamouth in the East End’s Tower Hamlets area, you will be able to see the last remaining lighthouse still standing in London. Also known as Bow Creek lighthouse, the wharf buildings around the lighthouse are now used as an arts centre and creative work space, which is open to visitors. …
If you are visiting Walthamstow, you can easily pass a few hours in its local museum, Vestry House. This charming building is Grade II listed and has been used for various purposes over the years, spending some years as a workhouse and a few as a police station. Located in the pretty streets of Walthamstow …
Lloyd Park in Walthamstow is home to a museum dedicated to the famous English designer and craftsman, William Morris. Morris was a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood design circle and was also one of the founders of the Arts and Craft movement. In addition to his design work, Morris also wrote poetry and prose romances …
There has been a church at Bow in East London for over 700 years; even after various restoration works parts of its current buildings date back to the 1490s. Over the years, the church has played a part in some major historical events, from Catholic executions ordered by Mary I through to bomb damage in …
Poplar in London is perhaps best known at the moment as the setting for the popular Call the Midwife books and TV series. But, this area of the East End has a lot more history to it than that. It was the location for some of the worst damage inflicted on this area of London …
If you find yourself close to Liverpool Street station with a bit of time on your hands, or feel like a visit to one of London’s best markets, then a visit to Spitalfields Market may be a good idea. There has been a market on this site, in various guises, since the 13th century and …
Despite its strong industrial and docklands history, the East End of London became one of the poorest and most deprived areas of the capital from the 1960s onwards. Its docklands industry moved into other areas and many of the commercial businesses that supported the area closed down or moved away. News that the 2012 Olympics …
Like large parts of the East End, Canning Town once had a strong industrial heritage, but the area was originally marshland. As such, for many centuries, the only way to reach Canning Town was to boat or by paying to use a toll bridge. The area opened up in the early 19th century when the …
Although we tend to assume that the East End of London is a primarily industrial and urban area, it actually started life as a rural area, mainly composed of agricultural land or marshland. It also has some interesting waterways running though it that date back for centuries, such as the Bow Back Rivers, also sometimes …
We may not associate London’s East End with the posher side of the city, but at one point in history, it really was the place to be. The Abbey of St Mary’s, or as it is more commonly known, Stratford Langthorne Abbey was one of the most impressive buildings in the area for many centuries, …
Best known as the location for the 2012 London Olympics, Stratford is still proving a popular place for tourists to visit, even though the games are now over. The Olympic Park and new shopping centre may well be worth a visit in their own rights, but there is more to Stratford than this if you …
The Royal London is one of the best known hospitals in London, home to the London Air Ambulance Service. Historically, it is perhaps most associated with Joseph Merrick, known as the Elephant Man, although the hospital also has links to Jack the Ripper. One of its most famous medical students was Thomas Barnardo, who later …
Located in the East End’s Spitalfields area, Petticoat Lane is one of the oldest and most famous markets in London. Over the years, the market has been best known for selling fashion and clothes, but it actually sells just about everything now, from designer goods to fruit and veg and bargain goods. East End Markets …
The East End of London has featured as a location or setting for many films and TV shows over the years. Sometimes, these are filmed in odd locations recreated to look like the East End or on studio lots. Other times, you can actually spot glimpses of the actual area in all its glory, or …
