Brick Lane, London
1 / 4
Brick Lane - by unknown on Google
Description
Brick Lane is an East London street famous for its Bangladeshi community, its curry houses and graffitis. It runs North - South between Bethnal Green and Whitechapel. In the 19th century, the area saw immigration from Ashkenazis Jews and Irish people until the mid-20th century when Bangladeshi Bengalis became the largest immigrant group. The neighbourhood has been important in the development of Anglo-Indian cuisine and has been undergoing some gradual regeneration since the 1990's.
Access & Transport
Shoreditch High Street overground station is 5mins away whilst the closest underground stations are Liverpool Street and Aldgate East (10-15mins walk). There are also several bus options with stops along Whitechapel rd (southern end), Commercial street (running roughly parallel) and Bethnal Green rd (northern end).
Instructions & Recommendations
Our main recommendation is to venture there around lunch or dinner time and enjoy one of the many curry houses, noting that several of them do not serve alcohol (when owned by Muslims). The main market day is Sunday when it can get quite crowded. This activity is best combined with some wandering around the Spitalfields market, Liverpool Street and Shoreditch - if you don't mind the hip / edgy neighbourhoods of the East End.
Environmental & Social
It is an urban environment with few patches of green. The flow of visitors provides the economic fuel to allow independent boutiques, artists and restaurateurs to operate.
Conclusion
The lane and neighbourhood have become tourist attractions in their own rights, which has triggered the usual commercialization with the rise of cheap clothing stores. However, the artsy and fashion side has also developed as the area slowly gentrified, so it is still worth checking out together with Spitalfields markets and Shoreditch if you want to discover something quite different from West London and the City.
Key positive
A different side of London to discover
Some good Indian / Bangladeshi food options as well as a food market
Experience the city's cultural diversity
Key negative
The area has become quite commercialized
Not much happening in the morning and can be very crowded on Sundays (market day)
Suitability
Suitable for all ages but recommended for 15 - 50 years old Accessibility depends on each store / restaurant, but pavements are quite even and appropriate for wheelchair use.
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 35m
est. visit time:1h 30m
Sunrise / early morningNo
MorningNo
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightOk
Night – aft. midnightNo