A Ball of Chalk - Guided Private East End Walk

5.0 (6 reviews) 2 hours Private tour

out of 5

6 reviews

5.0

A Ball of Chalk - Guided Private East End Walk — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

A Ball of Chalk - Guided Private East End Walk, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

For a London that feels more like home to a Londoner than the pomp and grandeur of Westminster, head to Spitalfields for a small-group experience like no other.

Historically much poorer than its cousin to the west, it has in more recent times found its fortune in skyscrapers and creatives- a true rags to riches tale.

The stories heard here are not of kings and politicians but of the real people who made this area- cockneys and costermongers, brave Blitz-era civilians and Eastern European Jewish settlers, Bengali Muslims and fleeing French Protestants, artists, fashionistas, trendsetters, foodies, radicals, 1950s gangs, Victorian murderers, workhouse paupers and everybody in between.

You’ll duck into the backstreets to discover hipster markets and Beigel shops, old breweries, a religious building that tells of centuries of immigration, 18th century weaver houses, old taverns, unbelievable street art from Banksy to Stik, global cuisine and a very different side to our fair city.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Urban Saunters

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Adults (4–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: English Speaking local expert guide
Included: Private guided walk of the East End including Brick Lane and Spitalfields.

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Food & drink
Not included: Hotel pick-up & drop-off
Not included: Any entrance costs

Itinerary

Brick Lane Jamme Masjid

5 min

This building is truly the story of the waves of immigrants who came and settled in this area over hundreds of years as a Christian church, a Jewish synagogue and now Mosque to the local Bengali community.

Visiting outside
Brick Lane

20 min

From curry mile to the hipster record and vintage stores that line this historic street, you will discover an area alive with street art, great food and stories beyond measure.

Visiting outside
Stop 3

25 min

A jolly good British boozer that used to carry the name of an infamous serial who became indelibly linked with its history- Jack the Ripper. Hear about the terrible crimes he committed in this area.

Visiting inside
Spitalfields Market E1

5 min

The Old ‘Worst Street in London’

Rife with poverty, this street once housed the local rookery or slum- take an uncomfortable journey back in time to a Spitalfields a world away from what it is now.

Visiting outside
Old Spitalfields Market

10 min

Starting life as a flesh, fowl and roots market in 1638, licensed by King Charles I, you are more likely to find cool clothing and hand painted crafts in this market today alongside an air richly scented with the wonderful street food vendors that trade here.

Visiting Inside
The Old Truman Brewery

15 min

We have always liked beer here in London, that’s no secret. Find out the history of an iconic London brewery here followed by a little crash-course in the tastes of Shoreditch for your evening ahead.

Visiting Outside

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Aldgate East Tube Station - Exit Three is signposted as the ‘Whitechapel Gallery’ within the station. Just follow these signs inside Aldgate East station, and you will come out at exit three of Aldgate East station and onto Whitechapel High Street.