Shoreditch has changed. When I first moved to the UK it was the edgiest London neighborhood. Now gentrification has set in and the hipsters have moved on. But there’s still a lot going on in the area, and if you’re as interested in seeing the changes as I’ve been, today I bring you my guide to Shoreditch, London.
Guide to Shoreditch, London
I’ve always associated Shoreditch with the former Old Street Roundabout. Formerly a bleak spot on the London map, this part of the neighborhood has seen a number of more attractive buildings go up in recent years.
Add to that hip pop-up shops in the tube station in its core, and the doughnut of depression has become a circle of new life.
Which might be a metaphor for all of Shoreditch. This area is one of the coolest London neighborhoods, and it’s a popular place to eat, drink, and shop in London. Hence my guide to Shoreditch.
Streets in Shoreditch
Down the road from the aforementioned roundabout, Old Street itself retains its colorful street art as it leads into the heart of the area.
Restaurants like The Clove Club put it on the map, and the junction with Great Eastern Street always has something new on the corner, complete with tables spilling into the sidewalk.
And speaking of Great Eastern Street, it’s perennially full of new restaurants and cafes. Which is to say nothing of nearby Rivington Street, which remains a mainstay of trendy shops and bars.
Up north, Hoxton Square retains its cool vibe despite chain restaurants moving in. Underground bars like Happiness Forgets have helped uphold its atmosphere even after the closure of the famous White Cube gallery.
Over on Shoreditch High Street and up Kingsland Road there’s always somewhere exciting to check out. Whether it’s a street food market or a new-to-me Vietnamese restaurant, I never fail to find something delicious.
Side Streets and Museums
And that’s to say nothing of the side streets and museums, which deserve a place in my guide to Shoreditch.
Walking around Arnold Circus feels like stepping back in time, and visiting the Museum of the Home—which has recreated British domestic interiors from 1600 to the present—is literally doing so.
Redchurch Street is a happy medium between big and small, what with it being a side street with lots of shops and places to eat.
It might be the biggest sign of Shoreditch’s gentrification, though, with J.Crew and other mainstream stores having moved in over the years.
Street Art in Shoreditch
The next thing I want to cover in my guide to Shoreditch is the street art scene. This area is one of the best places to see street art in London.
From the lanes off Redchurch Street to New End Yard and Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch has no shortage of murals to see. If you want to dig deeper, my self-guided street art tour of London can help.
Boxpark Shoreditch
Another place that deserves a spot on my guide to Shoreditch is Boxpark. Boxpark Shoreditch is a two-level street food and live events venue made from shipping containers.
Each container houses a different shop or restaurant, and they all combine to form a hub of activity and a fun place to eat, drink, and shop in east London.
Guide to Shoreditch in the Future
Shoreditch has changed over the years, but perhaps that’s inevitable in a city like London, where things are always evolving and neighborhoods reinventing themselves.
I’m sure in another 10 years Shoreditch will look different again, but if it keeps the hip vibe it’s managed to retain over the last 10, it will still be a place worth exploring.
If you want to explore now, my Shoreditch walks can help. They’ll take you around to the best places in this London neighborhood and show you everything from hidden lanes to street art. I hope you enjoy discovering the area.
Have you spent time here? What would you include in a guide to Shoreditch, London?
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I grew up in Shoreditch over 30 years ago so it is very strange going back and seeing all the changes but I suppose this is happening all over London. I haven’t been to the Geffrye museum since I was a child but I’m going to make the effort to go there this summer 🙂
Yeah, the museum is worth another visit. It’s such a pretty place.
i lived in this area for 6 years and I love it! I know it can be the butt of a few jokes, the “hipster haters” love a good dig at Shoreditch. But it’s truly one of the most eclectic and exciting areas of London. Things change so rapidly, there’s always a new cafe, bar or restaurant to try out and I love all the little night markets and pop up events too. If anyone is visiting London for the first time I tell them to escape the westend tourist bubble and head east to see the real beating heart of London.
Nice! That’s great advice.
I love Shoreditch! Such a fun place with so much going on. I used to live up the road in Stokey.
Nice! That’s a great area, too.
I just love the Geffrye Museum! Such an amazing place. The building and the parc are gorgeous. The museum itself is a step back in times. And it’s free so I never miss the opportunity to pop in every time I’m in London.
Also when in the neighbourhood, I usually book a table at Dishoom in the verandah! ☺️
Yeah, it’s such a great museum!
Ah gotta love Shoreditch! Once walked out at Old Street and one of the pop up shops was just a full blown jazz bar with a 5-piece band taking it away! Also my favourite museum in London – the Dennis Severs House!
Nice! That’s great. I love how much Shoreditch surprises me every time I go.
I recently visited London for the first time and absolutely loved it! Shoreditch was perhaps my favorite area. This is a great guide and I’ll definitely use it next time I’m in the area!
I’m glad you liked it!