Shoreditch is located in East London on the border between the boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets. The district is known for its street art, creative industries, restaurants, design shops and galleries. At the same time, Shoreditch is connected to London's early theatre history, and its development spans from the 16th century to the later industrial period.
In today's urban landscape, Shoreditch combines historic buildings, former industrial spaces and newer architecture. The area also features markets, galleries and small independent shops.
Things to do in Shoreditch
Shoreditch offers a mix of street art, independent shops, markets and restaurants within a compact area. A walk through the district might begin with the street art around Rivington Street and Fashion Street, continue along Redchurch Street for design shops and cafés, and then head towards Brick Lane for markets, vintage stores and curry restaurants.
Other highlights include Boxpark Shoreditch on Shoreditch High Street, the galleries and exhibition spaces around Redchurch Street, and the area's restaurant scene, which ranges from street food to Michelin-starred dining. The district is also connected to London's earliest theatre history. For a more detailed overview, the sections below cover each part of the area.
Shoreditch history
Shoreditch is located north of the City of London and originally developed as a suburb outside the city walls. During the medieval period, the area belonged to the county of Middlesex and grew along important routes leading north from the City. One of the earliest local landmarks was St Leonard's Church, around which a parish and settlement formed. The church is also known for its bells, which are mentioned in the traditional English nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons, which references the bells of several London churches.
The name Shoreditch is thought to derive from the Old English word scoradīc, meaning a ditch or watercourse on a slope. Tributaries of the Walbrook River once flowed through the area, and the terrain was for a long time damp and partly marshy.
In the 16th century, the area became an important part of London's theatre history. The Theatre, built in 1576, was one of England's first permanent theatre buildings, and the Curtain Theatre was constructed nearby soon afterwards. Neither building has survived to the present day, but plaques and signs in the area mark their locations. The remains of the Curtain Theatre were discovered during archaeological excavations near Curtain Road in 2011.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Shoreditch developed into an industrial district. It was particularly known for furniture and textile manufacturing, with numerous workshops and warehouses operating around Hackney Road and Curtain Road. Hackney Road was part of the so-called Shoreditch furniture trade cluster, which during the Victorian era was one of London's most significant areas for furniture production.
From the late 20th century onwards, many former industrial buildings have been converted into restaurants, hotels, offices and galleries. Today, the area is known for its creative industries, street art and restaurants.
Shoreditch Street Art
Street art became more common in Shoreditch during the 1990s, when many industrial and warehouse buildings in the area stood empty. Artists began using the walls of these buildings for murals and graffiti, which helped the district develop into one of London's best-known street art areas.
In the early 2000s, early works by the street artist Banksy also appeared in the area, particularly around Shoreditch and Brick Lane.
Well-known works can be found on several streets. For example, Banksy's "Designated Graffiti Area" is located on Rivington Street, and a large bird mural by the Belgian street artist ROA can be found on Hanbury Street near Brick Lane. Street art can be seen around Fashion Street and Rivington Street, and the artworks often change as new murals appear.
Redchurch Street — Shoreditch's design district
Shoreditch's design district is centred particularly around Redchurch Street. The street features several fashion and design shops as well as cafés, and many of the buildings are former warehouses and industrial spaces that have been converted into retail and restaurant premises while remaining part of the area's streetscape.
When walking in the area, the route often begins at Shoreditch High Street, then continues to Redchurch Street. Along the street are fashion and design shops such as the French brand A.P.C., the British clothing brand Sunspel, and the Australian skincare brand Aesop. The American fragrance brand Le Labo and the British homeware store Labour and Wait are also located on the street.
The street and its surroundings also contain galleries and exhibition spaces. For example, Jealous Gallery hosts exhibitions focusing on contemporary prints and graphic art. Redchurch Street is also home to Boundary London, located in a former warehouse building that was converted into a hotel and restaurant complex in the 2000s. The project was developed by the British restaurateur and design entrepreneur Terence Conran.
The Redchurch Street area is also connected to the district's longer history of craft and textiles. Shoreditch and nearby Spitalfields were once known for silk weaving practised by Huguenot artisans who settled in the area during the 17th and 18th centuries.
From Redchurch Street, the walk often continues via Cheshire Street towards Brick Lane, where design shops, vintage stores and markets form part of the district's commercial and cultural activity.
Brick Lane, Shoreditch
Located on the eastern edge of Shoreditch, Brick Lane is one of the best-known streets in East London and continues through several areas. The street's history is connected to several immigrant communities that settled in the area at different times. In the 17th century Huguenots arrived and worked as silk weavers, later followed by a Jewish community. During the 20th century, Brick Lane became particularly associated with the Bangladeshi community.
This history is still visible in the street's restaurant scene, as Brick Lane is especially known for its curry restaurants. The street and its surrounding area also contain vintage shops, cafés, galleries and markets.
Several markets operate in the area on weekends, the best-known being Brick Lane Market. The market sells clothing, vintage items, crafts and food. The side streets around Brick Lane also feature a large amount of street art connected to Shoreditch's wider street art culture.
Boxpark Shoreditch
Boxpark Shoreditch opened in 2011 and is considered one of London's first shopping and dining complexes built from shipping containers. The structure consists of stacked containers that house restaurants, cafés and small shops. Boxpark is located on Shoreditch High Street near Brick Lane and next to Shoreditch High Street station.
The venue hosts both international food concepts and smaller independent restaurants. Shops and restaurants change over time, as the concept aims to provide space for new businesses.
Shoreditch restaurants
Shoreditch has a wide range of restaurants, cafés and bars. The selection includes street food venues as well as restaurants offering cuisines from many different countries. Some restaurants operate in former industrial and warehouse buildings, which is reflected in the architecture and interiors of many venues.
Dishoom Shoreditch, inspired by the old Irani cafés of Bombay, is one of the area's most popular restaurants. There are also numerous restaurants and bars around Shoreditch High Street and Old Street. The area around Brick Lane is known for its curry restaurants, connected to the Bangladeshi community that settled there during the 20th century.
Michelin-starred restaurants include Lyle's, which focuses on seasonal British cuisine, and Brat, where many dishes are prepared over an open fire or on a grill. Plates, which focuses on plant-based fine dining, offers a menu based on vegetable ingredients.
Shoreditch bars and nightlife
The area is also known for its nightlife. Queen of Hoxton combines a rooftop terrace and bar, and its roof regularly hosts seasonally changing events and themed pop-up spaces. The Old Blue Last operates as both a pub and a live music venue, with regular concerts and DJ nights.
Village Underground and Old Street Records are also well-known event and music venues. Village Underground operates in a former warehouse building and hosts concerts, club events and other cultural occasions. Old Street Records is a combination of restaurant, bar and live music venue, often featuring local musicians and DJs.
Hotels in Shoreditch
Shoreditch offers accommodation in different price ranges, from boutique hotels to compact modern options. The Hoxton Shoreditch is one of the area's best-known hotels. Located near Old Street, it is known for the restaurants within the hotel, including Llama Inn London and Hoxton Grill, as well as communal working spaces. Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch, formerly Mondrian Shoreditch, is situated close to the area's restaurants and cultural venues. The hotel includes several restaurants and a rooftop terrace with views over East London. Z Hotel Shoreditch offers smaller hotel rooms near Old Street, making it a practical accommodation option close to the area's restaurants and bars.
