East End

The Basics

For many visitors, the East End offers not only a glimpse into the city’s past, but also a chance to experience the “real” London. Walking tours offer insight into East London history, from Victorian slums to 20th-century gangsters; a chance to sample delicious street food; or a look at the area’s famous street art.

Alternatively, brave an after-hours ghost tour to follow in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper; discover hip bars and live music in Shoreditch; enjoy Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine along London’s “Curry Mile,”; or bargain-hunt at renowned Spitalfields Market.

Things to Know Before You Go

London’s East End is much bigger than it seems; don’t plan to see it all in one day, and consider taking a tour to help you get your bearings.
The East End is generally no more dangerous than other areas of London; if you visit at night, stick to busy areas and take a taxi.
Wheelchair-accessible stations include Shoreditch High Street Overground and Stratford Overground and Underground.

How to Get to There

The sprawling neighborhoods of the East End stretch north and east of the City of London, but there are no official boundaries to the district. Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, and Whitechapel lie just east of central London, with Dalston and Hackney to the north and Stratford farther east. All the main East End neighborhoods are linked by underground trains and buses to the West End. The closest airport is London City Airport.

Trip ideas

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Virtual Tour in London

Imagine what it's like to stand on the stage at one of London's most iconic attractions on this 360-degree virtual tour of Shakespeare’s Globe. Helpful instructions teach you to get the most of videos, photos, and sounds on your experience. Bonus: More features abound if you download a free app.

London Rock Music Tour: A Virtual Audio Experience

London’s rock 'n' roll spirit endures even when the shows are called off. Channel the spirit of the city’s hippest musical neighborhoods and venues with a virtual itinerary—and accompanying song recommendations—from London Rock Music Tour founder Bruce Cherry.

Virtual 360° Experience of London's Royal Albert Hall

Most famous for the BBC Proms classical music festival, the Royal Albert Hall is one of London’s most iconic venues. Now, with this interactive, 360-degree panorama, you can explore its opulent auditorium without stepping foot outside of your home.

8 West End Performances to Stream Right Now

The lights may technically be out at London theaters, but the district has turned to the small screen, allowing you to stream musicals, plays, and cabarets from home. Stay entertained—and keep local performers in business—with recommendations from an actor and tour guide who knows the West End best.

5 Destinations Straight Out of the Movies

Iconic movie locations you can actually visit.

ZSL London Zoo Livestreams and Keeper Diaries

ZSL brings the #ZooToYou with livestreams of its residents—including the beloved meerkats and newly born dwarf mongoose pups—as well as a ton of behind-the-scenes videos, from zookeeper diaries to animal close-ups.

British Museum Virtual Tour

The British Museum’s collection is yours to explore with just a few clicks. Navigate continents and cultures—from prehistoric to present—with this interactive experience. Access renowned artifacts such as the Rosetta Stone, and hear directly from museum curators.

Royal Museums Greenwich in London: Online Stories and Collections

This robust selection of online offerings from four top Greenwich museums lets you explore world history from home. Discover epic stories of sea and space exploration, get behind-the-scenes insight from museum curators and specialists, and even explore the globe in 3D.

Inside the Historic Royal Palaces of England and Ireland

Royal life is at your fingertips with these virtual guides. See the kokoshnik tiara transform into a necklace, hear about herbs in the palace gardens, and learn the Tudor way to cook a mince pie. Tours and activities explore Kensington Palace, the Tower of London, Hillsborough Castle, and more.

Virtual 360° Experience of London's Twickenham Stadium

Get a virtual look inside Twickenham Stadium, the home of rugby union, during a England v Wales Six Nations game. A series of 360-degree panoramas show off the views from the best seats in the house.

Exploring Stratford in London’s East End

Another popular spot is Stratford, which underwent a makeover after the Olympic Games took over the city in 2012. The vast Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is the main draw, with walking trails, boat cruises, public art displays, and the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower. Right next door is Westfield Stratford City shopping mall, one of the largest in the UK with more than 250 shops, a huge food court, movie theaters, a bowling alley, and a casino.

Recent reviews from experiences in London

A fab walking tour of the history behind East end working women.

Mel_R, Oct 2021

Working Women of the East End Walking Tour

I treated my sister to this walk of the eastend. We grew up in the eastend. It was a really interesting walk, and we learned a lot about the working women of East London. Becky our tour guide was both really knowledgeable and passionate about relaying the history behind the East end. She was also really friendly too. We would highly recommend booking this walking tour.

A wonderful morning to be remembered.

Tessa_H, May 2021

Working Women of the East End of London walking tour was fascinating. Not only was the area great to explore but it was so interesting learning about these amazing women who changed history and did such wonderful work. Becky was a great guide - she was incredibly knowledgable and made it fun.

Great tour with a great storyteller!

Emily_W, Aug 2021

Gangster Tour of London’s East End Led by Actor Vas Blackwood

Such a fun experience! Vas was really friendly and a great storyteller which really brought all the sites of the Kray’s stomping ground to life. Using the experiences told by locals who were around in that era gave a new insight into the Krays life not portrayed in the famous movies about them. It was also great when Vas also pointed out where some of the famous scenes in Lock Stock were filmed! Thanks again Vas for the great tour! Emily & Dean

TOP DAY OUT

Lilian_O, Aug 2021

TOP DAY OUT, BEST THING WEVE DONE IN AGES!!! Really interesting and exctingly told, Vas was extremely funny the whole time, would highly recommend to anyone interested in the Krays. Great opportunity to meet a well respected Actor such as Vas.

Super tour of London's East End

Martin_U, Aug 2021

Vas was a superb host. I would highly recommend his tour. He's both highly knowledgeable & very funny. It was a great trip discovering the East End's gangster history!

This was a great, enjoyable and interesting tour. Booked for my husband but I thoroughly enjoyed as well!

Margaret_K, Aug 2021

Very entertaining, interesting. Despite horrendous rainfall, the tour was great! I immediately came home and watched several Krays films. Definitely testament to the tour!

Awesome tour with Vas!

Andrea_K, Aug 2021

The tour was amazing and Vas really gave it energy and kept us engaged the whole time. We have a brill time and have already recommended the tour to our friends.

Vas

KELLY_G, Jun 2021

Absolutely brilliant, worth every penny, Vas is a laugh a minute, and very knowledgeable, Vas was so much fun x

London gangster tour

Martin_K, Mar 2020

Was a brilliant tour vas Blackwood was excellent was definitely worth going on thanks for a brilliant day 👍🏻

Gangster tour whitechapel

OFFICER_dibble, Mar 2020

The tour was excellent and worth the money nearly 3 hours. Would do again. Vas the guide was excellent in character and made the tour so enjoyable.

Brilliant afternoon

Gary_J, Mar 2020

Very interesting and insightful. Vas knew his stuff and was a great host/tour guide. Lots of laughs along the way. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves

A great walk with a knowledgable...

Mark R, Jun 2015

A great walk with a knowledgable English actor. Recommend this for people who want to visit the real east End. Starts in the most infamous pub in London the Blind Begger and ends in a pub top guide , top trip!