Best Attractions in East London
The great thing about UK is that you have the possibility to choose between so many interesting and beautiful places, perfect for a nice stroll or an educational visit. Most of them have a free entry, so you just have to pack up your curiosity and go. Let us take for example East London and browse through a range of museums, markets, parks and many other wonderful outdoor treats.
Columbia Road Flower Market (Columbia Road, London E2 7RG) has a great history behind, being a street full of great shops and cosy houses since the year 1860. Even nowadays you can buy all sort of stuff like vintage clothes, furniture and jewellery. It is a heaven for children, as you can purchase traditional desserts, cakes and coffee. The inhabitants of this part of London prefer this area for an evening walk. If you want to follow this pattern, please keep in mind to avoid the main market in its peak hours.
Geffrye Museum (135 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA) can be found inside an 18th century house. You will definitely enjoy its serene gardens. It is the perfect place for a family visit, as this “Museum of the Home” has room interiors that show the middle classes’ lives from the 60’s to the 90’s. You can even have a nice lunch made up of traditional English food, in its friendly restaurant.
Museum of London Docklands (No 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E13 4A) is another location perfect for a family hang out. It is also very educational, as there are plenty of interesting exhibitions, ranging from the Roman period and sugar era to the era of slavery and the London’s city life in the 19th century. The museum is situated next to a chain of restaurants and shops, so there are plenty of entertainment options around.
Sutton House (2-4 Homerton High Street, London E9 6JQ) is a building that had its share of beautiful memories over the years. Since its building in 1535, the three floors have been rented by varied types of families: a silk merchant in the 17th century, a Victorian lawyer, a Tudor diplomat, etc. You can relive those periods through a wonderful tour. Each room has its own story to be told over and over again.
The above mentioned places are just a hint of the great fun that you can have in East London. Here are some other warm recommendations: Whitechapel Art Gallery (77-82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX) with its fine restaurant, bookshop and art exhibitions; Dennis Severs’ House (18 Folgate Street, London E1 6BX) with its intimate atmosphere of the 18th century; Ragged School Museum (18 Folgate Street, London E1 6BX) with its café, bookshop and Victorian reconstructions; Museum of Childhood (Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA) with its interesting collection of the 60’s children clothes, toys and games, until nowadays; Wilton’s Music Hall (Grace’s Alley, London E1 8JB) with its splendid Mahogany Bar, plays and opera.
