London · Shoreditch & Brick Lane

Alternative London Walking Tour

Street art and counter-culture tour through Shoreditch and Brick Lane led by local artists and activists.

About Alternative London Walking Tour

Street art and counter-culture tour through Shoreditch and Brick Lane led by local artists and activists. Covers major Banksy works, hidden murals, and the social history behind East London's transformation into a global street art capital.

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The place

Getting there

Address

19 Hessel St, London E1 2LR, UK

Neighborhood

Shoreditch & Brick Lane →

Nearest Metro

Shoreditch High StreetLiverpool StreetOld Street

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Good to know

Tips, answered

New pieces appear constantly-ask your guide about the latest works that appeared within the past week for the most current street art scene.

Plan for about 2h 30m.

Alternative London Walking Tour is in the Shoreditch & Brick Lane neighborhood of London. The address is 19 Hessel St, London E1 2LR, UK. The area is well-served by metro.

This works well at any time of day, though mornings tend to be quieter. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential — you'll be on your feet for a while. Parts are outdoors, so bring a light layer.

Around the corner

Nearby in Shoreditch & Brick Lane

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Market

Greenwich Market

Greenwich Market sits in a beautiful Victorian covered hall with iron columns and glass roof panels that let in perfect natural light for browsing. The 120 stalls rotate between antiques dealers on Tuesdays/Thursdays and craft vendors Wednesday-Sunday, with vintage clothing appearing throughout the week. You'll find everything from handmade jewelry and ceramics to rare books and vinyl records, all surrounded by permanent shops selling everything from tea to vintage posters. The market flows in a natural circuit around the central hall, with the best antique dealers clustering near the Turnpin Lane entrance and craft stalls spreading toward the back. The acoustics under that Victorian roof create a pleasant hum of conversation, and the covered space means you can browse comfortably regardless of weather. Saturday mornings bring the biggest crowds but also the best selection of vendors. Honestly, the craft market days (Wednesday-Sunday) offer more interesting finds than the antiques days, which tend toward overpriced collectibles rather than genuine treasures. The food stalls at the far end serve decent but unremarkable fare - save your appetite for the pubs nearby. Plan 90 minutes max unless you're a serious collector, and bring cash since many vendors still prefer it over cards.

2-3 hoursExplore

Museum

Greenwich Royal Observatory

You'll find yourself standing on the most famous line in the world at this historic observatory, literally straddling the Prime Meridian where east meets west. Since 1675, this UNESCO World Heritage site has been the center of global timekeeping, and you can explore the fascinating history of navigation, astronomy, and Greenwich Mean Time. The Great Equatorial Telescope, Britain's largest refracting telescope, is genuinely impressive, and the planetarium shows are worth your time if you're curious about space. The experience feels like stepping into scientific history. You can set your watch to the daily time ball drop at 1pm (a tradition since 1833), explore the meridian courtyard where tourists queue for photos with one foot in each hemisphere, and wander through galleries packed with maritime clocks, astrolabes, and astronomical instruments. The views from up here are spectacular - you'll see all of London spread out below, from Canary Wharf's towers to the Thames snaking through the city. Honestly, at £16 for the observatory buildings, it's pricey for what amounts to a few hours of browsing. The grounds are free though, and you get those same stunning views plus the meridian line experience without paying. If you're passionate about astronomy or maritime history, the full ticket's worthwhile. Otherwise, enjoy the free bits and spend your money elsewhere in Greenwich.

2 hoursExplore

Park & Garden

Victoria Park

Victoria Park spans 213 acres of East London and genuinely earns its 'People's Park' nickname - it's where proper Londoners come to escape without the tourist crowds of Hyde Park. You'll find two ornamental lakes with decent-sized island populations of waterfowl, a genuine Chinese pagoda (moved here piece by piece in the 1840s), and the kind of mature tree canopy that makes you forget you're in Zone 2. The Sunday food markets and year-round weekend sports leagues give it an authentic neighbourhood feel that most central parks lack. The western half feels formal with its geometric flower beds and tree-lined avenues, while crossing the central road takes you into wilder territory with rougher paths and better bird-watching. Families dominate the playgrounds and lakes, dog walkers own the early mornings, and weekend football matches create a proper community atmosphere. The Pavilion sits right at the heart, serving as both café and unofficial social hub where regulars actually chat to strangers. Most guides oversell the festivals - they're good but turn the park into a muddy mess for weeks after. The real charm is everyday use: it's large enough that you won't lap it accidentally but small enough to feel intimate. Skip the formal gardens unless flowers are your thing, and don't bother with the sports facilities unless you're joining a league. The Pavilion café charges London prices (£4+ for coffee) but the outdoor seating overlooking the lake justifies it.

2-3 hoursExplore

Market

Old Spitalfields Market

Old Spitalfields Market transforms daily from fashion hub to food paradise to antique treasure trove, all under a soaring Victorian roof topped with modern glass. You'll find 40-odd stalls selling everything from £15 vintage band tees to £8 artisan sandwiches, with the mix changing dramatically based on the day. Thursday brings serious vintage dealers with curated 1960s pieces and rare band merchandise, while Sunday shifts to handmade crafts and specialty foods. The covered hall feels like a genteel cousin to Camden Market - less chaotic, better lit, and significantly cleaner. The Victorian ironwork creates natural sections, with food vendors clustering near the Lamb Street entrance and fashion dominating the center. Surrounding arcade shops house independent record stores where you can flip through vinyl for hours, plus boutiques selling everything from Japanese streetwear to handmade jewelry. The acoustics mean conversations blend into a pleasant hum rather than overwhelming noise. Most guides oversell the weekend crowds - Saturday sees long queues for mediocre street food that costs £12-15 per dish. Your best bet is Thursday for vintage hunting or Tuesday-Wednesday for a relaxed browse without the tourist crush. Skip the overpriced artisan coffee (£4.50) and grab a proper cup from Blixen restaurant on the eastern edge for £2.80. The surrounding Spitalfields area offers better lunch options than most market stalls.

2-3 hoursExplore

Market

Columbia Road Flower Market

Columbia Road transforms into London's most atmospheric flower market every Sunday from 8am to 3pm, where sixty traders hawk everything from £3 bunches of tulips to exotic orchids for £15. You'll hear proper Cockney banter as sellers compete for attention along the narrow Victorian street - "Two bunches for a fiver, lovely!" The surrounding independent shops only open on Sundays, selling vintage ceramics, artisanal bread, and quirky homeware that you won't find anywhere else. The street gets absolutely rammed between 10am and 1pm, with crowds moving at snail's pace past stalls overflowing with seasonal blooms. The air smells of fresh flowers mixed with coffee from tiny cafés squeezed between shops. Traders pile tulips, daffodils, and roses into buckets while shouting prices, creating a proper old-school market atmosphere. You'll find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with locals clutching armfuls of flowers and tourists snapping photos of the colorful chaos. Most guides don't mention how crushingly crowded it gets - avoid 11am-1pm unless you enjoy being trapped in slow-moving human traffic. The flowers are decent quality but not cheap (expect £5-8 for standard bouquets), though bulbs and plants offer better value than cut flowers. Skip the overpriced vintage shops and focus on the actual market - you're here for the atmosphere and fresh flowers, not £40 ceramic bowls.

2-3 hoursExplore

Museum

Geffrye Museum - Museum of the Home

Eleven period room displays chart the evolution of English domestic interiors from 1630 to present day, set in beautiful 18th-century almshouses. Recently reopened after major renovation, the museum explores how homes reflect social history and changing lifestyles. The four historic period gardens complement the interior displays. Free admission makes this local attraction easily accessible.

2 hoursExplore

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