A Brief History

The name 'Spitalfields' was named after a Hospital and Priory known as St. Mary's Spital, founded in 1197. Most building in the area took place in the mid-17th century after the Great Fire of London. Spitalfields market was established in the 1680s. Spitalifelds became a parish in its own right in 1729 when Hawkesmoor's Christ Church was consecrated.

Spitalfields lies at the heart of the East End, an area known for its spirit and strong sense of community. Through out its history, it has been an area of constant change.Following the edict of Nantes in 1685, the Huguenots fled France, bringing with them the skills of silk weaving and building the once grand houses in the conservation area around Fournier Street. Today's leather and textile trades are a continuation of this earlier tradition of weaving.

Spitalfields fell into decline after the 1820's and gained a reputation as cheap area in which to live, proving a magnet to numerous waves of immigrants.

The potato famine led to an influx of men from Ireland, bringing in workers to build the nearby docks. Jewish families found a haven from pogroms in Europe and many became traders. More recently, Bangladeshi settlers have contributed to the richness of life in the borough of Tower Hamlets, many of them establishing restaurants in and around Brick Lane.

Nowadays, the best way to explore Spitalfields and appreciate its rich history is on foot. It's within a few minutes' walk of several tube stations, as the map shows. Look on www.spitalfields.co.uk for further info about this area.

Have a good look around and then test yourself with the quiz.