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London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. It produces 17% of the UK's GDP and is one of the world's major business and financial centres. The capital of the former global empire, London is a leader in culture, communications, politics, finance, entertainment and the arts and has considerable influence worldwide.
London is the most populous city in the European Union, with an estimated population on 1 January 2005 of 7,421,328 and a metropolitan population of between 12 and 14 million. London's population includes a very diverse range of peoples, cultures, and religions, making it one of the most cosmopolitan, vibrant and energetic cities on earth. A resident of London is referred to as a Londoner. Over 300 languages are spoken in London, making the capital one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.
East London saw much of London's early industrial development and much of it now is being extensively redeveloped as part of the Thames Gateway. It was also key to London's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics, and is now scheduled to undergo extensive regeneration in the run-up to the games.
The East End of London is closest to the original Port of London, and tended for that reason to be the area of the city where immigrants arriving into the port would settle first. Successive waves of immigrants include the French, the Huguenots, Belgians, Jews, Gujaratis, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and many other groups.
This area has many places of interest including many of London's markets, for example Columbia Road Flower Market, Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane Market, Petticoat Lane Market:-
Situated in an area called Tower Hamlets, east London near to Liverpool
Street station and Brick Lane which gets its name from a contraction of 'hospital
fields', as there used to be a major hospital in the area. The market, which
receives 20,000 visitors every Sunday, was founded here in the 17th century.
www.spitalfields.org.uk
The area is well known for its arts scene and amongst the many well known artists living in the Spitalfields area are Gilbert and George and Stuart Brisley.
Probably the most famous and oldest of all London's street markets, Petticoat Lane was established over 400 years ago and still attracts visitors from all over the world. The Huguenots who came to London from France sold pettocats and lace here but the prudish Victorians changed the name of the Lane and market to avoid referring to woman's underclothes!
The market actually takes place in Wentworth Street on Monday - Friday, spreading on Sundays to become even bigger with 10 seperate trading streets including Middlesex Street. You'll find bargains of every kind!
The market is open from Monday to Friday, and on Sundays from 9.00 to 14.00
Columbia Road has a wonderful atmosphere and the market is fringed with quirky shops and cafes, where customers compare purchases and swap stories of gardening triumphs. Tucked away in an unlikely side street in the heart of the East End - Columbia Road feels like your own secret bit of London. The magic starts as you spot the first signs of the market - people whose faces are hidden by great armfuls of plants and flowers they've just bought. Follow the trail and immerse yourself in a colourful world of plants and pots, flowers and fresh coffee. There are over 50 flower and plant stalls selling quality and often unusual, plants at bargain prices.
Open from 8.00 until 14.00 on Sundays only - come early to beat the crowds or late for a last minute bargain!
A mad mixture of treasures and trash. Part of the fun is following the side streets to see where they lead and picking the jewels out from the junk. Expect to find anything from furniture to fruits, kitchenware to kitsch and odd boots to bangles.
Open from early morning until about 14.00 (Sundays only) - allow plenty of time to see it all as the market stretches into Cheshire Street and Sclater Street.
And several museums, including:
The National Museum of Childhood contains one of the largest and oldest
collections of toys and childhood artefacts in the world - over 6,000 items
on display dating from the sixteenth century. As well as its permanent displays,
the museum has temporary exhibitions and hosts weekend art workshops and holiday
events for children.
Tel: 020 8980 2415
Fax: 020 8983 5225
www.museumofchildhood.org.uk
The Geffrye Museum presents the changing style of English urban middle-class
interiors through a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day. It
is set in elegant 18th century almshouses with attractive gardens, including
an award-winning herb garden and a series of period garden rooms (open April
- October).
www.geffrye-museum.org.uk
Film footage, photography, oral history recordings and more than 3000 objects
evoke the capital's history between the French Revolution and World War I
and a 'Victorian Walk' of original shopfronts and workshops recreates the
atmosphere of the 19th century. There is also a prehistoric gallery that casts
light on life on the Thames Valley over a half a million years ago.
Tel: 0870 444 3852
Described as a “still-life drama” this restored house takes visitors through a range of moods and times – one of the most imaginative and atmospheric buildings in London, a time capsule in which visitors are immersed in a unique form of theatre. Guests are escorted, in total silence, into the candlelit chambers from which, apparently, their 18th and 19th Century inhabitants have only just withdrawn. Powerful historical sensations and a family saga add up to a magical journey through time. Unsuitable for children.
Monday evenings by candlelight (not Bank Holidays) Booking essential for
Monday evenings only. First and third Sunday of each month 2-5pm (£8)
First and third Monday of each month noon-2pm (£5)
Tel: 020 7247 4013
www.dennissevershouse.co.uk
Founded in 1901 to “bring great art to the people of the East End of
London”. Many greats have been exhibited here, including Constable,
Hogarth and Rubens – at the first ever show – through to Picasso,
Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. Nowadays it’s strongly associated with
contemporary art.
Tel: 020 7522 7888
www.whitechapel.org
On the corner of Commercial Street and Fournier Street, E1, is Christ Church,
Spitalfields. Built 1714-1729 by Nicholas Hawksmoor, this church’s beauty
and lofty spire was designed to impress the locals and show them that Anglicanism
was the most heavenly of denominations.
Tel: 020 7247 7202
www.christchurchspitalfields.org
Established in 1570 and the oldest manufacturing company in the UK, this
is where Big Ben and Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell were cast.
Tel: 020 7247 2599
www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk
During the summer of 1888, terror stalked the streets of the East End as
a mysterious killer murdered 5 prostitutes, bringing notoriety to the infamous
Whitechapel district. Jack the Ripper became the most famous criminal in British
history. Get up close to actual murder sites on this fascinating combination
walking & bus tour, taking you to some of the actual murder sites and
a pub that Jack may have used to select his victims. Learn about life in the
squalid East End during 1888 and discover London's murkier past. Prepare yourself
for evocative images of fear and distress of the occupants of London's twilight
world during Jack's reign of terror.
www.jack-the-ripper-walk.co.uk