Secret Shoreditch: Street Art, Cuisine and Culture Tour

Supplied by: Vidi Guides

Overview

Step out of Old Street station and onto the streets of Shoreditch! Wander into East London as we discuss the history and culture of this famous neighbourhood. Because Shoreditch wasn’t under the jurisdiction of the City, it had much more relaxed rules and regulations than most of London. This developed an identity of counter-culture, which has stuck with the neighbourhood for thousands of years!

Stop by what many consider to be the oldest modern theatre, just known as the Theatre. Hear about the story of William Shakespeare, the King’s Men and the founding of the Globe Theatre. Then have a look at the Old Blue Last, a century old pub home to the creation of London’s first porter.

Discover some of Shoreditch’s most famous street art, including some works by Banksy. In the 2000s, Banksy used street art to express political ideas and changed the medium into becoming a way to comment on social and cultural injustices. Street art has transformed again over the past decade, with many institutions taking what was once a crime and putting it up in their galleries like the Tate Modern and Serpentine Gallery.

Explore what is now a beautiful neighbourhood that was once home to a transformative social experiment in Victorian London. Learn how Arnold Circus has become a symbol of immigration and gentrification in Shoreditch and why this 18th and 19th century social change is still relevant today.

Discover how contemporary architecture and urban graffiti coexist on Sclater Street. Learn how this street connects back to King Louis XIV revoking the Edict of Nantes, which basically banned Protestants the right to practice their faith in France. This led to a massive influx of Huguenots who sought refuge in England. This is even where we get the word “refugee” from.

Visit Shoreditch’s most famous street, Brick Lane! Famous for its fantastic beigals and thriving Bengali cuisine, Brick Lane is the perfect place to visit, eat, drink and explore. Delve further into the topic of gentrification and how this has come to define Shoreditch, looking at photos by Markéta Luskačová from the 1970s and comparing it to what we see today.

Visit what was once the world’s largest brewery, Tueman’s Brewery, and learn how the craft beer scene is massively expanding across the city and entire country! Then stand outside the Brick Lane Mosque on Fournier Street and hear how this building represents 400 years of history here in Shoreditch.

Finish the tour at Spitalfields market and see how this halfway house between Brick Lane and Liverpool Street has become a symbol of culture, cuisine and community in East London.

The Vidi Guides experience is enriched with on-screen photos and videos. We also point out where to take the perfect Instagram photos during the tour, and include recommendations for food, drinks, and local attractions. Don't worry, none of our recommendations are sponsored - they are simply favourites of the locals who helped craft the experience.

Vidi Guides creates immersive audio experiences that sound like podcasts. This is a self-guided audio tour that can be started or stopped at your own convenience. Download the Vidi Guides app & your Shoreditch tour to explore the area independently and safely! Make sure to download your tour before your visit to streamline your trip!