Local services in East London
The East End of London (Haggerston, Hackney and Hoxton etc.) is known for its nightlife, with lots of wine bars and some of the best clubs in London. However, it's during the summer, with BBQs in Victoria Park and boat parties on the canal that East London really shines. Visit Brick Lane for a chance to experience some truly original curry and other great food. Broadway Market and the surrounding area have chic cafes, tasty takeaways and lots of vintage shops. For a larger-than-life shopping experience, try Westfield in Stratford.
Existing rail connections already include the London Underground services of the Central, Jubilee, District, Hammersmith & City Lines as well as the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) that connects the East of London with London City Airport , Stratford and Lewisham in the east, with Bank and Tower Gateway in the City.
Transport for London are currently developing the East London Transit scheme for the district as well an East to West London rail route, known as Crossrail which is planned to run from Shenfield and Abbey Wood, through Canary Wharf, the West End and The City and all the way as far as Heathrow and Maidenhead. When it comes to shopping in London , most people's attention will make a beeline for the more famous locales in the West End and Central London . By dismissing the retail offering that is East London , these same people are missing a huge slice of the capital's overall shopping experience.
From the comfort of familiar high street names to the unusual and exotic, the East End of London has them all. North of Whitechapel lies one of the capital's most loved areas, Spitalfields. And at its core is the infamous Old Spitalfields Market. Having been regenerated in 2005, Spitalfields is the ultimate antithesis to the traditional high street shopping experience, with the latter's lack of individuality and – some would say – atmosphere. Spitalfields, for its part, has both of these qualities in abundance.
Alongside the market are a number of independent shops selling a range of products from design and interiors to fashion and food. Whereas Brick Lane , which runs from Spitalfields at the north end down to Aldgate at the South is famed for its vibrant and multi-cultural street market. The London Bridge area boasts two key shopping areas - Hays Galleria and St Katharine Docks – which have a choice selection of fashion boutiques and general shops, though their main emphasis is on eating and drinking, which isn't such a bad thing and is certainly worth a visit.
