Discover East London's Best Street Art and Markets
Discover East London’s . East London has spent the last few decades turning from an industrial backwater into one of the most creatively alive corners of the city. Warehouses that once sat empty are now covered in murals, and streets that used to be purely functional are lined with market stalls every weekend. If you’re planning a London trip and want to see a side of the city that feels distinctly local rather than postcard-perfect, East London particularly Shoreditch, Brick Lane, and Hackney, is where to spend your time.
Here’s a guide to the area’s best street art and markets and how to string them together into a single, easy day out.
Why East London Became a Street Art Capital
Shoreditch spent most of the 20th century as a working industrial neighbourhood, until the textile and furniture trades that sustained it collapsed in the 1970s and 80s, leaving behind empty warehouses and vacant lots. Cheap rent drew artists in, and by the early 1990s the streets around Brick Lane and Old Street had become an informal hub of studios and makeshift galleries. That history is exactly why the area’s street art feels different from a curated gallery it grew directly out of the neighborhood’s decline and reinvention. Today, Shoreditch is widely regarded as one of the most important open-air street art galleries in Europe, drawing urban art fans from around the world.
Where to Find the Best Street Art
Brick Lane and Hanbury Street hold the highest concentration of large-scale pieces, making this the obvious starting point if you only have an hour or two to spare. Hanbury Street in particular is known for standout work, including a long-running black-and-white crane mural by Belgian artist ROA.
Rivington Street and New Inn Yard are home to some of the area’s largest collaborative murals, including one created by sixteen artists from across the globe that ranks among the largest murals in the world.
Whitby Street, Ebor Street, and Chance Street feel more like a rotating open-air gallery than a single attraction, with pieces from well-known names appearing and disappearing as the walls change hands between artists.
Shoreditch High Street, right by the overground station, is worth a look for Ben Eine’s giant LOVE lettering, a single sign that stretches 45 metres across the street.
Because pieces get painted over or replaced constantly, no two visits look quite the same—part of the appeal is that you’re seeing something genuinely temporary.
Where to Shop and Eat: East London’s Best Markets
Broadway Market, running between London Fields and Regent’s Canal, is the pick for a slower, more local pace. It blends independent bakeries, vintage clothing stalls, natural wine shops, and some of the city’s best street food vendors, drawing a crowd of designers, musicians, and young families that feels distinctly East London. Weekdays keep the coffee culture going even when the weekend stalls aren’t out.
Old Spitalfields Market is the most polished of the group, a covered Victorian market that now houses independent designers, jewellery brands, vintage stalls, and contemporary food vendors, feeling slightly more curated than some of London’s more chaotic outdoor markets. It’s open seven days a week, with an added antiques and collectables market on Thursdays.
Columbia Road Flower Market runs on Sundays only, and timing matters here. It’s best visited between 10am and midday; if you want any real chance at buying flowers by early afternoon, the stalls have largely wound down. Even outside the buying window, the street itself is one of the most photogenic in the area.
Brick Lane Market is the one to visit if you’re after bric-a-brac, vintage clothing, and street food in the same afternoon. It runs alongside the Sunday street art walk, so it’s easy to combine both.
Putting It All Together: A Half-Day Itinerary
A comfortable route starts at Old Spitalfields Market in the morning, moves through Brick Lane for street art and lunch, then finishes at Columbia Road if you time it for a Sunday morning. Alternatively, swap Columbia Road for Broadway Market on a Saturday for a slightly more food-and-drink-focused finish. Either way, most of this is walkable, with Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street stations bookending the route if you need to duck in or out.
Planning Your London Trip
Whether you’re chasing street art, market stalls, or both, East London rewards a slower, on-foot exploration more than a checklist of sights. If you’re putting together a London itinerary, compare flights and accommodation on airdealio.com to get your trip sorted, and check out our Travel Essentials range before you go.
