Spitalfields is a historic district in East London located between Liverpool Street Station and Brick Lane. The area is particularly known for Old Spitalfields Market, Georgian architecture, and the lively urban atmosphere that has developed around its markets and restaurants.
Spitalfields lies east of the City of London and south of Shoreditch in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The area is especially easy to reach from Liverpool Street railway and Underground station.
Modern Spitalfields reflects several historical layers, including its medieval monastic origins, the 18th-century silk-weaving industry, and later market and immigration history. The area has preserved many historic buildings while also becoming part of East London's lively restaurant, art and market scene.
Things to do in Spitalfields
Spitalfields is a compact area where markets, historic architecture and restaurants sit within a short walk of each other. A visit can begin at Old Spitalfields Market, where permanent shops and rotating traders share a Victorian covered hall. From there, Fournier Street and Princelet Street offer some of London's best-preserved Georgian townhouses, built by Huguenot silk weavers in the early 1700s.
Other highlights include Christ Church Spitalfields, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, the independent shops and cafés along Commercial Street, and the restaurant scene that includes Hawksmoor and Ottolenghi. The nearby Truman Brewery complex hosts additional markets at weekends, including vintage, design and street food traders. For a more detailed look at each, the sections below cover the area in full.
Spitalfields history and architecture
The name Spitalfields originates from the medieval priory of St Mary Spital, founded in the 12th century. The area began to develop more densely in the 17th century when London expanded after the Great Fire of 1666. Developer Nicholas Barbon introduced a grid-like street layout that allowed workshops and homes to be located on the same streets. This urban plan is still visible in Spitalfields today.
From the late 17th century onwards, Spitalfields developed into an important centre of silk weaving. Huguenot refugees from France built Georgian houses in the area, whose large upper-floor windows allowed plenty of natural light for weaving. Many buildings in Spitalfields can still be recognised by these large windows, reflecting the district's artisan history.
The buildings on Fournier Street and Princelet Street form one of the best preserved 18th-century streetscapes in London. Fournier Street was built in the early 1700s, and its houses were often associated with wealthy silk merchants and master weavers.
A central landmark of the area is Christ Church Spitalfields, designed by architect Nicholas Hawksmoor. Completed in the 1720s, the church represents English Baroque architecture, and its tower stands out clearly in the surrounding cityscape.
Old Spitalfields Market
Old Spitalfields Market is the best-known market in the district. Market trading dates back to the 17th century, but the current covered hall dates from the 19th century and represents Victorian architecture. Some of its later extensions were designed by Horace Jones. The building has since been renovated and adapted for modern use while preserving its original cast-iron structures.
Today, the hall hosts permanent shops as well as rotating traders, with offerings ranging from clothing and design products to food stalls. Thursdays feature popular antique markets, and on the first and third Friday of each month, the market hosts well-known vinyl record markets. Themed market days are also organised on weekends.
Truman Brewery markets
In addition to Old Spitalfields Market, several smaller markets operate nearby at the Truman Brewery complex and its surroundings.
Spitalfields Arts Market, located on Brushfield Street next to the market hall, focuses on art and crafts. It mainly operates on weekends and offers paintings, prints, jewellery and ceramics.
The Backyard Market, held at the Truman Brewery complex on weekends, brings together independent designers and small brands selling clothing, jewellery, graphics and other design products.
Sunday UpMarket, also located in the Truman Brewery area, combines fashion, crafts and street food under one roof. The market brings together numerous food stalls and traders, and the selection varies by day and season.
Vintage shopping in Spitalfields
Vintage shopping in the Spitalfields area is largely concentrated around the markets.
The Vintage Market, located at Truman Brewery, brings together clothing and accessories from different eras sold by multiple traders. The selection ranges from fashion from different decades of the 20th century to vintage accessories.
Vintage shops on Brick Lane are covered separately in the Brick Lane article, which focuses on the street running along the border between Spitalfields and Shoreditch.
Spitalfields shops
Retail activity in Spitalfields is largely centred around Old Spitalfields Market. Inside the hall, there are both permanent shops and rotating traders selling clothing, design products, jewellery and gifts.
One example is Leather Republic, which specialises in leather goods such as bags, belts and accessories. The same building also houses The Mercantile London, which sells clothing, accessories and products from smaller brands.
Commercial Street, which runs around the market area, forms Spitalfields' main shopping street. Shops along the street include fashion and design stores such as the French brand A.P.C., Agnès b. founded by the Parisian designer, and British lifestyle shops Albion and Labour and Wait.
Spitalfields restaurants
The restaurant scene in Spitalfields reflects the district's market history and diverse development.
Hawksmoor Spitalfields focuses on British meat dishes. The restaurant is particularly known for dry-aged beef and steak dishes and operates in a historic former bank building.
Ottolenghi Spitalfields is known for its vegetable-focused dishes inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Many dishes are displayed at the counter and change with the seasons.
Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House, located near Old Spitalfields Market, specialises in oysters and other seafood.
Blixen, located near the market hall, is an all-day restaurant and brasserie serving European dishes and weekend brunch.
Holy Carrot, originally founded in Knightsbridge and later operating in Notting Hill, is expanding to Spitalfields and updating its concept by introducing vegetable-focused dishes alongside its vegan offerings.
Brick Lane
Located along the eastern edge of Spitalfields, Brick Lane is one of East London's best-known streets. The street connects Spitalfields to Shoreditch and is known for its curry restaurants, vintage shops, street art and weekend markets. Brick Lane is covered in more detail in a separate article.
Culture and parks in Spitalfields
Within walking distance is the Whitechapel Gallery, one of East London's most important contemporary art galleries. Spitalfields Music also organises concerts and cultural events in the area each year.
The garden surrounding Christ Church Spitalfields is a public green space. Nearby parks include Allen Gardens and Weavers Fields, both open public parks.
Hotels in Spitalfields
Batty Langley's is located in Spitalfields on Folgate Street in a Georgian townhouse dating from the 18th century. The boutique hotel is named after architectural writer Batty Langley, who published guides on building and garden design in the 1700s.
The hotel consists of two former townhouses that have been restored for accommodation while preserving historical features. The rooms are individually decorated with antique furniture and period details.
What to see in Spitalfields in one hour
Many of Spitalfields' sights are located within a short walking distance of each other. During a one-hour visit, you can start at Old Spitalfields Market, continue past the Georgian houses on Fournier Street, and then head towards Christ Church Spitalfields.
From there you can return via the market area to Commercial Street, where you will find shops, cafés and restaurants.
Spitalfields combines historic streets, markets and restaurants in an area located within walking distance of Liverpool Street Station.
