The London Walks: Shoreditch
A couple of weeks ago, I spent two days in Aldgate doing a computer course; both days I ended up walking back to First Work (Jubilee Debt Campaign, in Old Street) for Christmas events, which took me through a part of London which, while relatively close to home, I'd never really spent much time in, and subsequently didn't know very well. No more! The two walks I took on those consecutive evenings fascinated me so much, I ended up going back one bright cold Sunday, the week before Christmas Eve, to explore the many different markets (including Spitalfields; wow) and side streets and alleyways and shops... on which perhaps more later... In any case, these photos are in walking order; I just took random shots of interesting things as I strolled up Commercial Street in the blustery coldness. Gloves on, gloves off, gloves on, gloves off...
Queens is a landmark of the area, just outside Spitalfields market.
Four views of the Commercial Tavern.
Looking back south down Commercial Street, the way I'd come.
The brilliantly lit windows and their glowing curtains caught my eye.
Just one of the side streets looking toward the City.
I don't know why they decorate the cranes, but I like it for some reason.
The Drunken Monkey on the corner of Great Eastern Street (the continuation of Commercial Street) and Shoreditch High Street.
Ruins are commonplace round Spitalfields and Whitechapel. Some of them are made of bricks and mortar...
(Oh, and just for fun: here's a webcam looking down Commercial Street).
6 comments:
This is extremely fascinating - especially Queens! What do they actually sell in there? And was the window specially decorated for Christmas or is it like that all the time? I would LOVE to go inside and see it for myself. I admired the decorated cranes too. If we come to visit this year will you take us exploring?
....and does the bell of Shoreditch actually say "When I grow rich"?
"side streets and alleyways and shops... on which perhaps more later"
Perhaps??? Some things in life are essential - perhaps oxygen, certainly experiences and photographs of side streets and alleyways!
I remain your humble servant ma'am!
i am very much looking forward to the visit of mama and mad dad to london this year
Oh, so am I, Anita... and exploring will be MANDATORY ;)
Queens sells trinkets and decorations and boxes and quills and all manner of other similars, Mama... that was a special Christmas display but it's not unlike that all year round :D
and yes, the bells do... sometimes when I'm walking past one of the churches I find myself singing through the rhyme to match the bells to their saying :)
Anita,
It seems that on this matter, you, Kathryn, Mama and yours truly are of one mind!
Of one mind, and the only ones reading this blog ;)
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