Every time I visit London, I'm reminded just how big the city really is. It can take 10 minutes (maybe more) to walk to a tube stop and a trip across town can easily take 45 minutes or more via public transportation.
This also means there are lots of neighborhoods to discover in London that are varied and diverse from one another. And one that I've really enjoyed exploring more is the artsy section of Shoreditch.
There is so much to say about the cute boutiques, hipster hangouts, and bars in this neighborhood. For now, I'll just leave you with photos of the cool street art that brightens the streets:
Just off of Hoxton Street
This area has boomed in the past twenty years or so. It was once full of deserted warehouses as industries left the area after World War II. In time, artists came to Shoreditch and transformed the neighborhood.
It seems fitting to me that this area is full of artists and creatives. While most people know of Shakespeare's Globe Theater located on the banks of the River Thames, many probably do not realize that his first theater was the Curtain Theatre, located in Shoreditch. And nearby Curtain Theatre was the site of London's first playhouse, simply called "The Theatre." At the time, the area was not considered part of London so these theaters could avoid taxes and censorship by being located just beyond the city limits.
Right off of Old Street
The old man, Carl Fredricksen, from the Pixar movie Up
This neighborhood is definitely worth taking a walk through. You never know what you're going to find, whether it's Pixar-inspired art or colorful pigs in love. Regardless, you'll feel miles away from attractions that scream "London" like the posh Harrods department store or iconic Big Ben. Yet Shoreditch is just as much a part of the tapestry that makes up London.
Love on Rivington Street
If you appreciate street art like I do, you can even view more without hopping on a plane. Google's Cultural Institute has street art exhibits that you can view online - check it out here! It features street art from all over the world. Happy virtual travels!
More beautiful street art on Rivington Street
Do you like street art? Where are your favorite places to see street art?
For more to do and see in Shoreditch, London:
I’ve been drawn to the colorful streets of Shoreditch in London. I love visiting this neighborhood when I’m in town. It’s always changing, with new art popping up as well as interesting shops and restaurants entering the scene. It never gets old to me, and since I never tire of exploring artsy Shoreditch, it’s what made me narrow in on this particular neighborhood to stay in last time I was in London this past April.
I think it’s safe to say one doesn’t need to go on a tour to see the street art of Shoreditch. Once you arrive, all you have to do is walk around. You barely need to be an observant person. It’s everywhere. But this last trip, I decided to check out the Alternative London street art walking tour. The tour is “free,” meaning that it’s meant to be accessible by all. The guides are super passionate about leading others around and exploring street art in London together, though they expect to be tipped in a way that reflects how one values the tour, or what one can afford to give. It seemed like a great way to learn more about this art that I love, and provide an introduction to Shoreditch to my sister-in-law and her friend who were visiting London with me, lest they thought I had chosen to stay in some strange gritty section of town far from “London proper.”