Witness 500 years
of
immigration
through architecture
in Spitalfields
and Stepney Green
Join Open City for a walking tour exploring the fascinating architectural history of London’s rapidly changing East End
This fun and engaging walking tour — led by Barratt London head of planning and Golden Key Academy graduate Martin Scholar — focuses on how the area’s built environment has changed, adapted and developed over the past 500 years to create the vibrant mix of cultural activity we see today.
The tour references local buildings and street names to explore how the historical development of the district was shaped by the arrival and later large-scale departure of its Huguenot and Jewish communities. It then focusses on the arrival of the area’s vibrant and world-famous Bangladeshi community before going on to discuss and illustrate how the district’s population and built environment is rapidly changing once again.
The tour will take in one of the finest collections of surviving Georgian architecture in London, the extraordinary variety of Brick Lane which is described by many as the ‘heartland’ of the Bangladeshi community in Britain; the tragic story of the murder and subsequent protests behind Altab Ali Park; the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and surrounding back streets, squares and stories; Rinkoffs Bakery where we may stop for a quick Crodough; and finally the unexpected delights of Stepney Green.
Other highlights include Fieldgate Street Synagogue, Nelson Street Synagogue, the Neuron Pod by acclaimed architect Will Alsop, and housing typologies from the 16th to 21st centuries. Providing a safe and fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to explore the city, this tour will explore the architecture and history of London’s East End.
Key information
Meet: Churchyard/public gardens next to Christ Church Spitalfields, Commercial Street, E1 6LY
End: Stepney Green Gardens
Duration: 2 hours approx
Cost: £19.50 / £14.50 / £13.50 / £9.50
Tickets are non refundable, and tours go ahead rain or shine! Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
MEET THE TOUR GUIDE
Martin Scholar is a town planner and is currently head of planning at Barratt London. He has previously worked for Westminster City Council and the GLA.
Scholar is a graduate of the 2021 Golden Key Academy — a masterclass for urban and architectural tour guiding run by Open City. He joined the Open City tours team in November 2021.
Open City's year-round tours programme is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.