Brick Lane London A Day Out, Graffiti
Brick Lane, London, A Day Out, Graffiti,
Brick Lane, London. When I first visited this area of London in the late 1980s, Shoreditch wasn’t a place high on the list of a “have to go” location. I first visited the area and Old Spitalfields Market when buying fruit and veg for L’Escargot. It was a run-down area. It looked even worse at 3:00 am in the morning. Brick Lane and the area are now one of the most popular places to visit in the East End of London. Today, Brick Lane is a vibrant area, famed for its diversity of people and shops. Sunday markets are popular, along with their variety of food stalls, restaurants, bars, bric-a-brac, and antique stalls.
Over the years, the transformation has been remarkable. Old warehouses have become trendy galleries, and the aroma of curry mingles with fresh coffee and baked goods. Street art decorates every corner, adding splashes of colour to the old brick walls. Musicians play, vintage traders bargain, and locals mix with tourists in a lively, friendly atmosphere. What was once forgotten has now become the beating heart of East London’s creativity.
Brick Lane is at the centre of most of the street art found in the Shoreditch area. The best way to see this street art in Shoreditch is to find the top end of Brick Lane from Whitechapel High Street. Walk from here along Brick Lane, exploring the side streets and back alleys. Probably not best done on a Sunday when all the stalls are up and running.
During the week, the walls are your open-air gallery. You’ll spot huge, colourful murals from world-famous artists like Banksy, ROA, and Ben Eine, mixed with fresh work by up-and-coming local talent. Every turn seems to reveal a new surprise — from striking political pieces to fun, quirky designs that make you smile. Hanbury Street, Bacon Street, and Fashion Street are particularly worth a wander. Bring a camera and comfortable shoes, because there’s always something new to discover. Shoreditch’s street art scene is forever changing, bold, and brilliantly unpredictable. While you are on Whitechapel High Street, visit The Whitechapel Gallery. It’s Free to visit the Gallery with some paid-for exhibitions.
