neighborhoods | LONDON
Hip at Heart Explore the East End culture of London’s Shoreditch district. BY KIMBERLY KROL
COLLECTIONS: Brick Lane Bookshop (left), and artiodactyl skulls with horns and other items at Spitalfields Market (right) PHOTOS: © I WEI HUANG | DREAMSTIME.COM, © ELENA ROSTUNOVA | DREAMSTIME.COM
ENGLAND Shoreditch London
ALL EYES HAVE BEEN ON LONDON this year. The city tops many a traveler’s list of favorite or must-visit destinations, but this year’s splash has at least a little something to do with an American-actress-turned-royal and the fairy-tale romance of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. But go beyond the glitzy gates of Kensington Palace and discover a different side of London, especially for repeat visitors. I’d spent months in London, but it wasn’t until my last visit that I explored Shoreditch in more depth. Far removed from its seedy past — this was the territory of Jack the Ripper in the 1800s — and flush from the gentrification that followed the influx of British artists in the 1990s, today’s Shoreditch is a bit more moneyed and boasts some of the city’s finest restaurants and upscale cocktail bars while maintaining touches of its grittier, industrial vibe. Stay in Shoreditch and you can still explore the surrounding neighborhoods and London’s iconic highlights. From my base at The Curtain, a 12-minute walk brought me to Liverpool Tube Station and its multiple lines, meaning most of the city’s crown jewels were within an easy ride on the underground. The accommodation options in Shoreditch match the area’s clientele — a mix of creatives and businesspeople of varying ages. Other properties include Ace Hotel London,
Shoreditch House and Nobu Hotel Shoreditch. The industrial-style warehouses and buildings of the Shoreditch of yore are today transformed into lofts, office buildings, restaurants and clubs, many adorned with colorful street art that adds a bit of edge and life, again complementing the area culture. Learn more during one of the many street art tours on offer. Along the well-known Brick Lane, punctuate tastes of the authentic curry for which London is known with visits to the surrounding shops and galleries. The neighborhood is also regarded for its Vietnamese cuisine. Higher-end restaurants pair nicely with the cozier, established eateries; consider Rochelle Canteen, Merchants Tavern, The Clove Club, Smokestak, Hoi Polloi and Red Rooster. Shop during a visit to Boxpark, a pop-up mall housed in former shipping containers, or find something for each member of your group at Spitalfields Market, a hallmark of East London. Galleries, exhibits and unique boutiques line the streets of this former artists’ enclave. Depending on the weather, end your evening overlooking the neighborhood you’ve just uncovered with a royal of a different sort. Queen of Hoxton, a bar, nightclub, roof terrace and performance space, reigns as a Shoreditch signature and an embodiment of the East End culture.
SEPTEMBER 2018
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