For a free copy of the following walking guide leaflets, please e-mail your name and address to tourism@towerhamlets.gov.uk or visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/data/discover to download a copy
Discover the Vanishing Jewish East End of London
The fantacinating history of the area is detailed in, Exploring the Vanishing Jewish East End, which included an nostalgic introduction by writer, actor and director Steven Berkoff, an East End resident and son of a Stepney tailor. The two self guided walks also introduce places that have been home to, and inspired, Jewish writers, artists and entertainers such as Bud Flangan. Amongst the wealth of history, pockets of thriving contemporary Jewish life are not forgotten with one walk leading to Rinkoffs, the only remaining Jewish Bakers in the East End, where visitors can indulge in a slice of delicious cheesecake.
A Walk in Spitalfields
Traditional East End markets, outrageous nightlife, the curry capital of Europe and designer stores to die for! Spitalfields attracts those who like to look beyond the obvious and stray a little off the beaten track. We invite you to put on your walking boots and explore the vibrant and historic surroundings of Spitalfields.
Banglatown and the Bengali East End
Tower Hamlets has a long tradition of welcoming immigrant populations from all over the world including Huguenots in the 18th century and Jews in the 19th century. Now, one third of the population in Tower Hamlets is Bengali, the largest Bengali community in the UK.
The thriving streets of the modern east End of London offers a fascinationg insight into the British Bengali community's significant contribution to contemporary UK culture, from music and food, to politics and architecture.
Other guided walks (no leaflets available to send)
The Alfred Hitchcock London Locations Walk
A 3-hour walk scouting Alfred Hitchcock locations around London. Includes locales in several different boroughs. Films profiled include 'Frenzy', 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' (1956) and 'The Paradine Case'. Every Mon, Wed and Sat at 11am. All walks are led by historian Sandra Shevey who interviewed Hitchcock in Hollywood in 1972 and talks about that meeting in the course of the walk. Original set designs are used to compare real with reinvented locations. £25 excl Travelcard (zones 1 and 2). Advance booking only at sandra_shevey@yahoo.com
London Street Market Tours
A 1.5-hour guided walks around the London markets with travel writer Sandra Shevey who celebrates these ancient institutions by recounting their development over several centuries. Where appropriate, remnants of markets in times past are included, as are houses and watering holes of famous patrons. Walks include chit-chat with traders, tips on where to buy what, and info about unique services, ie where to find that terrific brolly repair. All of this is capped with a cuppa. Walks run daily at 11am. Cost- £15 excl travel. Advance booking only at sandra_shevey@yahoo.com
Lansbury Festival Walk
A 1 hour guided walk around the famous Lansbury Estate, site of the Living Architecture Exhibition of 1951. Meet outside All Saints DLR station, Saturdays and Sundays only at 11am.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
Last of the "magnicent seven" cemeteries, opened in 1841. Burials ceased 1966, now 30 acres of mature woodland and glades managed as a nature park, with Soanes Centre educational facility. Meet outside Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Southern Grove, E3. Sunday 10am to 5pm. Guided history walks on the hour from 11am, except at 2pm for nature walk. Last walk at 4pm.
East London Art Walks
To provide an easier way of viewing several contemporary art exhibitions in a single outing Comment has established a programme of art walks. Two public walks take place every weekend. A qualified art professional guide will take you round 6-10 of the most interesting exhibitions on at the moment, and will also talk about the history of art in East London. The walk lasts approximately 2.5 hours and costs £5, concessions £4.
Prebooking is advisable but not required on 020 7739 1743 or at artwalks@commentart.com
Meeting points are
Saturdays 3pm @ Contemporary Arts Project, 20 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3DU, Tube Old Street (Exit 3)
and
Sundays 3pm @ VINEspace 25a Vyner Street E2 9DG
Many galleries are closed over the holidays, so the last walk for 2006 will take place on 10th December. Walks will resume on 13 January 2007. If you have any questions or would like a free copy of the East London Art Map, please call 020 7739 1743/07799 776016 or email artwalks@commentart.com
Urban Gentry Tours
Ever wanted a fashion or art scene insider to lead you through London ’s streets? How about a glimpse into the studios of London ’s up-and-coming design talent? And what secrets lurk in the address books of creative Londoners?
Urban Gentry ( www.urbangentry.com ) devises London tours for the savvy, style-aware visitor. We provide fast-track access to the inside knowledge across London ’s most stylish places, people and happenings.
From fashion to design, contemporary art to luxury shopping, an Urban Gentry tour is a ruthlessly edited selective, authentic and eclectic experience. Led by our team of in-the-know artists, designers, journalists and trend spotters, we lead visitors through London ’s need-to-know, hard-to-find and weird and wonderful.
With Urban Gentry, visitors go off the beaten track and beyond the tourist trail. From off-beat galleries, to buzzy villages and specialist boutiques - we edit London 's style highlights for visitors.
London Gastrowalks
Food writer Carla Pinto leads these weekly walks taking in culinary hotspots.
The walk around Spitalfields is on Sundays @ 2.30pm. The cost is £7 and booking is essential.
Please call 07936 524390 or email carla@londongastrowalks.com.