London’s Brick Lane has a fascinating history and is one of the most popular places to visit in the East End today, especially on a Sunday when the street gets buzzing.
The East End’s Brick Lane
Sitting in the heart of the East End, Brick Lane was a poor slum area in the past; it was in the very heart of Jack the Ripper territory. Today, following some regeneration, it offers exciting alternative shopping opportunities, various markets and some of the best curries in the capital!
The history of Brick Lane
Brick Lane runs from Bethnal Green and through Spitalfields down towards Whitechapel. The street was initially called Whitechapel Lane; it is thought that it was renamed because local earth was used by brick and tile manufacturers who set up shop in the street in the 15th century.
By the 17th century, the street had also become a popular brewery location. The famous brewing family, the Trumans, started their business here, and you can still see their Black Eagle Brewery on the street. This century also saw the start of its market.
Its proximity to Spitalfields saw an influx of French Huguenots when they were driven out of France in the 17th century. The street and the surrounding area became well known for its weaving and tailoring.
Like much of the East End, this area was a haven for immigrants moving into London to escape persecution abroad or seek a better life. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was best known for its Irish and Jewish population.
The community living in and around Brick Lane today is predominantly Bangladeshi. This gave the area a new nickname and a new cuisine!
Brick Lane becomes Banglatown
Brick Lane is often fondly called Banglatown by Londoners. Since the late 20th century, this has been one of the most popular places for immigrants from Bangladesh, particularly Bengalis from the Sylheti region. The street is THE place to go for a curry in London, especially if you want to try traditional and authentic cooking rather than run-of-the-mill high street curries.
The many different cafes and restaurants in the area initially started to service the local population or those passing through London via its docks; it is now the capital’s most concentrated area of curry houses. Some are pretty upmarket; others are quite basic.
You have to avoid mainstream restaurants that have started in the area to tap into its popularity, but there are still plenty of gems around. Remember that you may not be able to drink in some Brick Lane curry houses if Muslims run them; in others, you may have to bring your own bottle if you want to drink alcohol.
Brick Lane is quite a trendy area at the moment, and you do have other options for food if you don’t fancy a curry. There are still traditional Jewish bagel shops and various cafes and stalls selling anything from a traditional full English breakfast to exotic Japanese takeaways.
Brick Lane Market
Brick Lane has a trendy and eclectic Sunday market with locals, Londoners from other areas and visitors to the capital. The market was initially licensed to run on Sundays in the 1800s – this was unusual as markets were not supposed to open on the Sabbath.
At that point in Brick Lane’s history, the local population was predominantly Jewish, so a special dispensation was given for Sunday opening, as the Jewish Sabbath falls on a Saturday.
A Sunday trip to Brick Lane market is generally a lot of fun. You may find some regular stalls there, selling the kind of stuff you’d expect in a market, but the authentic charm here is the second-hand stalls.
People sell all kinds of stuff at Brick Lane – you can pick up collectables, CDs/DVDs, vintage clothes, retro accessories and even large pieces of furniture – and it is still possible to hunt out a real bargain or buy something a little bit unusual.
There is also usually some street entertainment going on throughout the market site. You can also pop into various indoor markets, such as Upmarket and Backyard, which operate inside the old Truman Brewery building. This complex also contains galleries, exhibition spaces, shops, bars, restaurants and cafes.
Art in Brick Lane
Brick Lane is also home to a thriving artistic community. Its graffiti is worth looking out for – street art is celebrated here rather than immediately cleaned off! Lucky locals in the past have seen work spring up on their walls from C215, Stik and ROA. There are also plenty of small galleries dotted around Brick Lane and its surrounding streets that are well worth a visit.
Street Art in Brick Lane
Brick Lane is also home to several street art murals. A variety of artists, both local and international, create the murals. The murals are constantly changing, so there is always something new to see.
Attractions in Brick Lane
Brick Lane is home to a number of attractions, including:
- The Old Truman Brewery: The Old Truman Brewery is a former brewery converted into a complex of shops, restaurants, and offices.
- The Brick Lane Mosque: The Brick Lane Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in London. It was built in the 18th century.
- The Sunday UpMarket: The Sunday UpMarket is a weekly market on Brick Lane. It sells various goods, including food, clothing, and antiques.
- The Truman’s Social Club: The Truman’s Social Club is a bar and restaurant in the Old Truman Brewery.
- The Brick Lane Gallery: The Brick Lane Gallery is an art gallery in Brick Lane. It exhibits a variety of contemporary art.
Restaurants in Brick Lane
Brick Lane is home to a number of restaurants, including:
- Dishoom: Dishoom is an Indian restaurant based on Bombay’s Irani cafes.
- Brick Lane Curry House: Brick Lane Curry House is a Bangladeshi restaurant, one of the oldest in Brick Lane.
- Tayyabs: Tayyabs is a Pakistani restaurant that is known for its kebabs.
- Gunpowder: Gunpowder is a restaurant that serves Indian street food.
- Hoppers: Hoppers is a restaurant that serves Sri Lankan food.
Conclusion
Brick Lane is a vibrant and historic neighbourhood in East London, home to diverse people and businesses. Brick Lane is also a popular tourist destination, and Brick Lane is the place for you if you want to experience the best of East London.