East End History

When it comes to traditional British pastries, there’s one treat that has stood the test of time yet remains somewhat of a hidden gem – the London Cheesecake. Despite its name, this delightful pastry has no cheese involved but is a unique concoction that has been enjoyed by Londoners for generations. What is a London … Read more

One of the worst incidents to involve civilians during a Second World War bombing raid took place in South Hallsville School in Agate Street in Canning Town in 1940. For years, people believed that the highest number of civilian casualties in an air raid had happened in another area of the East End, when an … Read more

Cockney Pie and Mash is a traditional East London dish featuring a minced meat pie served with mashed potatoes and a parsley sauce called “liquor.” Here’s a recipe for each component of this classic dish: Minced Meat Pie: Ingredients: Instructions: Mashed Potatoes: Ingredients: Instructions: Parsley Liquor: Ingredients: Instructions: To serve, place a portion of mashed … Read more

During the 19th century, the match manufacturer, Bryant and May, was one of the leading employers in Bow in the East End of London. Although playing with matches is, as we all know, dangerous, at that time, just making matches could be deadly. Most people working in the factory were women, known as match girls. The … Read more

Execution Dock was a hanging site for over 400 years until the 1830s. It is thought that its location in Wapping was set at the low-tide mark in the Thames that marked the jurisdiction of the British Admiralty. It was the Admiralty’s job to deal with any crimes at sea, and people were executed in … Read more

Thames Ironworks was a shipyard and ironworks firm that operated from 1837 to 1912. It was situated at the confluence of Bow Creek and the River Thames, with Leamouth Wharf on the west and Canning Town on the east. History The company originated in 1837 as the Ditchburn and Mare Shipbuilding Company, founded by shipwright … Read more

It is thought that the word Cockney originates from the Norman word for a sugar cake, cocaigne. The Normans called London the ‘Land of Sugar Cake’, and the name has stuck with some variations over the years. In the 1360s, the writer William Langland also used the term ‘cockeney’ to mean cock’s egg. Although some … Read more

Imagine a company that had more power and wealth than any nation in the world. A company that controlled trade across continents, fought wars with its army and ruled over millions of people. A company that also shaped the culture and history of a city like London. That company was the East India Company (EIC), … Read more

East London has transformed remarkably in the past few decades from a neglected and rundown area to a vibrant and prosperous hub of business, culture, and innovation. One of the key factors behind this change was the introduction of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), a modern and efficient transport system that connected the East End … Read more

How East London Shaped and Was Shaped by the Industrial Revolution. If you’ve ever visited East London, you might have noticed its distinctive character and charm. From its vibrant street art and multicultural cuisine to its historic landmarks and diverse communities, East London has a lot to offer. But did you know that East London … Read more

Visit the Top 5 Museums in London London is one of the most famous cities in the world, and it boasts an impressive range of excellent museums. If you are planning a trip to London in the near future, try to visit one of the five best museums in the city, all of which are … Read more

How MacDonald Syer Electricians Helped London Survive WW2 MacDonald Syer Ltd was a lift engineering and electrical business based in Calvin Street, Shoreditch, East London. The company was founded by John MacDonald and William Syer in 1908 and became one of the leading contractors in the city. But what many people may not know is … Read more

Coventry Road is a street in Ilford, Essex, that was part of the Clements estate, a large area of land that was developed for housing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Clements estate was one of the factors that contributed to the rapid growth of Ilford as a suburban town. The History … Read more

My grandfather worked for a company based in Calvin Street, Shoreditch, East London. He spent most of his working life as a lift engineer / electrician in London. Pre and post WW2. Here he is in action, working on machinery that must now be very very old!

I’ve just started to go through my old photo albums and scan in some of the more interesting London images. What I Know About This Photo. The chap standing on the left is my grandfather’s step-father. He was one of the founders of the Met Police’s flying squad. A highly trained fast response police driver. … Read more

If you walk past the BSix Sixth Form College building in Hackney’s Clapton area, you may not notice anything too unusual about the site. But, this was once the site of one of the most impressive Tudor homes in the East End and, at one point in time, it was one of the royal palaces … Read more

The East End of London offers some interesting options for local cuisine not found anywhere else in the capital, or in the rest of the UK for that matter. You may have to dig around a little to find some of these once-common traditional delicacies, but, if you want to experience real East End life, … Read more

The East End of London has been home to many major breweries over the years and even to a couple of distinctive types of beers. In the 19th century, the Mann, Crosman and Paulin’s brewery in Whitechapel created a beer that is held to be the daddy of the modern brown ales that are still … Read more

The East End of London holds countless intriguing stories of its past, offering a fascinating glimpse into the area’s rich history. Some of the most captivating tales are hidden within the origins of the street names themselves. Let’s delve into a few lesser-known yet equally captivating street names that will provide you with a unique … Read more

In the early years of the Second World War, bombing raids tended to use traditional bombs and incendiary devices, and these were used significantly in sustained attacks during the Blitz, for example. However, the Germans developed new technologies later in the war and created the V1 and V2 rocket or flying bombs. These were long-range … Read more

The 1950s was a decade of significant social and economic change in London, especially in the East End. The area had suffered heavy bombing during the Second World War and was undergoing reconstruction and redevelopment. The population also changed as new immigrants arrived from the Commonwealth countries and settled in the East End. The welfare … Read more