Spitalfields Tours
4 Reviews
Established at the turn of the 15th century, east London’s Spitalfields attracts visitors with its diverse stores and trendy vibes. Equidistant from Shoreditch and Whitechapel, the area is home to an array of vintage stores and the iconic Spitalfields Market, making it a top spot in which to experience local London life.
The Basics
Spitalfields plays an important role on most east London, which focus on everything from food and culture to contemporary street art. Walking tours offer a more intimate glimpse of the area and usually also cover areas such as hipster-capital Shoreditch, culturally-diverse Brick Lane, and Whitechapel, the former hunting ground of Jack the Ripper. Keen shoppers can take advantage of tours that offer round-trip transfers between Spitalfields and other popular London markets.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get There
Liverpool Street station lies just east of the area, and is a short walk away from the main attractions. Aldgate East and Shoreditch High Street are also within easy walking distance. The main thoroughfares of Bishopsgate and Commercial Street are both served by several city buses.
When to Get There
There’s always something to see in Spitalfields, though if you’re after any particular wares it’s worth checking which markets are running ahead of time. For instance, Saturday’s style market is a top draw for fashionistas.
Sensationalism versus Social History
Spitalfields is known for its links to Jack the Ripper, but a historical tour can reveal more about the social tragedy behind the sensationalised crimes. Look out for Victorian landmarks such as the Providence Row Night Refuge for insight into the extreme poverty that permeated 19th-century London and led to the horrifying acts of violence against the city’s most vulnerable people.
The Basics
Spitalfields plays an important role on most east London, which focus on everything from food and culture to contemporary street art. Walking tours offer a more intimate glimpse of the area and usually also cover areas such as hipster-capital Shoreditch, culturally-diverse Brick Lane, and Whitechapel, the former hunting ground of Jack the Ripper. Keen shoppers can take advantage of tours that offer round-trip transfers between Spitalfields and other popular London markets.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Spitalfields is the name of the area, and is also used to refer to the trader’s market.
- While most vendors accept card, it’s a good idea to carry some cash if you’re exploring London’s markets.
- First-time visitors sometimes confuse Spitalfields market
- Don’t forget warm clothes in winter, as even the indoor markets get chilly.
How to Get There
Liverpool Street station lies just east of the area, and is a short walk away from the main attractions. Aldgate East and Shoreditch High Street are also within easy walking distance. The main thoroughfares of Bishopsgate and Commercial Street are both served by several city buses.
When to Get There
There’s always something to see in Spitalfields, though if you’re after any particular wares it’s worth checking which markets are running ahead of time. For instance, Saturday’s style market is a top draw for fashionistas.
Sensationalism versus Social History
Spitalfields is known for its links to Jack the Ripper, but a historical tour can reveal more about the social tragedy behind the sensationalised crimes. Look out for Victorian landmarks such as the Providence Row Night Refuge for insight into the extreme poverty that permeated 19th-century London and led to the horrifying acts of violence against the city’s most vulnerable people.
Address: Spitalfields, London, England
12 Tours and Activities to Experience Spitalfields
Sort by:Featured
The Jack The Ripper Walking Tour in London
This is the Original Aldgate East Jack the Ripper tour that has been operating nightly since 1982. Our start point means that, within seconds of setting out, you are exploring the cobbled alleys and atmospheric old streets that have changed little since Jack the Ripper prowled their shadows. Our guides, Richard Jones, John Bennett, Philip Hutchinson, Angie Norman, Lindsay Siviter and Mark Ubsdell are experts on the case and have between them written more than ten acclaimed books on the Jack The Ripper mystery. They are able to present you with a detailed account of the crimes that shook the world in 1888. However, they present those facts in a dramatic and entertaining fashion that is both entertaining and inspiring, and which helps bring the history of the crimes to vivid life. From the start, it is as though you are a part of the Victorian police investigation, as you sift the evidence, examine the facts, and debate the crimes and arrive at your own conclusions.
…More
From
$16.83
From
$16.83
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
London Private Street Food And Markets Tour With A Local
Lovers of good food will enjoy this food-themed tour of London led by a local host. The tour will focus on how international food has influenced the way Londoners eat, from French cuisine to Chinese and more. While eating your way around the city you’ll also discover the vibrant and unique neighborhoods where these foods can be found. Also get the chance to shop at specialty grocery stores, to pick up international ingredients to use at home.
…More
From
$141.12
Price varies by group size
From
$141.12
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Jack the Ripper Walking Tour with Expert Ripperologist
Follow a guide dressed in period costume through the streets of London to learn all you ever wanted to know about Jack the Ripper. You'll follow in the killer's footsteps on his reign of terror, learning about the history of the time as well as the culture and media frenzy. Enjoy plenty of time to ask questions and take photos.
…More
From
$18.11
From
$18.11
Private Tour - Brick Lane Food Tour
Brick Lane is known as London’s ‘Curry Mile’ for its fantastic Indian cuisine, but the East London hotspot has plenty more to offer foodies. This walking tour will give you a local’s view of the best places to eat around Brick Lane, as you tuck into an array of delicious foods from fragrant curries and classic fish and chips, to fresh bagels and artisan chocolates.
…More
From
$165.96
$29.29 savings
From
$165.96
$29.29 savings
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Jack The Ripper's London and East End Crime Tour - the Mad the Bad the Sad!
This one is a blast from the past. 1888 to be precise. Recreate the spine-chilling story of Jack the Ripper. Set in the Victorian era of the East End of London. Know the legend, break the myth of the sensational Whitechapel murders.
Dare to encounter the squalid and sordid underbelly of London’s notorious East End. Trawl the crime sites of Whitechapel and Wapping districts. Be an eyewitness to the notorious pubs where the ‘working girls’ plied their trade back then. Walk through the once gas-lit alleyways of the 1800’s. Hear about the misdeeds of another despicable 19th-century terminator. Peep into the haunts of the legendary Kray Twins of more recent folklore. Wrap your head around the facts…victims, suspects, gangland leaders, their motives for two centuries of vicious attacks.
Quite a mouthful. Gulp it all down with a drink at an 18th-century tavern. Some sound advice. Come without your squeamish side.
…More
From
$291.54
per group
From
$291.54
per group
London History Experience
Explore London with a private guide on this tour that introduces you the city's history. You'll visit sites and neighborhoods that have shaped London throughout the centuries, from medieval times to World War II, and discover places that you might miss without a private guide to show them to you and tell you about their significance.
…More
From
$79.88
Price varies by group size
From
$79.88
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Private Jack the Ripper Walking Tour of Whitechapel and Brick Lane
This is a 5* rated Jack the Ripper tour by an expert 24 yrs exp dressed in Victorian costume. With an option to have a Jack the Ripper costumed escort, a bit of a devil who lighten the mood of an otherwise grim subject
…More
From
$213.00
per group
From
$213.00
per group
Working Women of the East End Walking Tour
Discover a new side of London’s vibrant and cultural East End on this women’s history-themed walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon tour times, meet your guide at Tower Hill, and set off on foot. As you explore the neighborhoods of the East End, you’ll learn about the area’s rich mix of cultures and long history. Discover historical monuments, learn about the groundbreaking women who lived and worked here, and listen as your guide gives voice to Jack the Ripper’s victims, suffragettes, and more.
…More
From
$28.40
From
$28.40
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Authentic British Food & Drink Private Tour in London- Local Taverns & Pubs
Discover in this Private Gastronomic Tour, the most exquisite dishes of the British cuisine, accompanied by the traditional drinks of the region. Explore the most emblematic pubs and taverns of the city with your private local guide.
Taste the classic 'Fish & Chips', scotch eggs,to the exquisite 'stuffed British feet', accompanied by local wines and English beers. A british bagel is a must eat.
Food tour suitable for vegetarians, please note any special requirements at the time of booking.
- Eat at the most locals Pubs & Taverns of London
- Enjoy the best Fish & Chips in town
- Try 10 different tastes
- Accompany your dishes with local wines and English beers
- Totally private, just you and your guide
…More
From
$128.19
$14.24 savings
Price varies by group size
From
$128.19
$14.24 savings
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
East London Street Art Tour
East London is the place to be. It is known for the high amount of street art, but has a lot more to discover. Embark on this journey through East London to explore the hidden gems.
…More
From
$41.46
From
$41.46
Sherlock Holmes and Jack The Ripper Private Guided Tour
Discover the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper on a half-day London tour with your own private guide. See key filming locations from the popular BBC series ‘Sherlock’ and sites related to author Arthur Conan Doyle, and learn about Jack the Ripper as you stroll through Whitechapel. Travel on foot and by public transportation with commentary from your private guide, who tailors the itinerary to your interests.
…More
From
$142.53
Price varies by group size
From
$142.53
Price varies by group size
Taking safety measures
Private Walking Tour: Jack The Ripper and East End
Delve into the lore surrounding London’s most famous serial killer—and beat the crowds—during this private, Jack the Ripper-themed tour of the city’s East End. Meet your guide at a location of your choosing in the morning or afternoon, and set off. You’ll visit the sites where Jack the Ripper’s victims were found, will learn more about the cases, and will explore Whitechapel: one of London’s most diverse neighborhoods. Finish in a Victorian–era pub, or upgrade for a longer, even more in-depth tour.
…More
From
$98.47
$24.62 savings
Price varies by group size
From
$98.47
$24.62 savings
Price varies by group size
Taking safety measures
Things to do near London
- Things to do in Horley
- Things to do in Chatham
- Things to do in Stansted Mountfitchet
- Things to do in Brighton
- Things to do in Cambridge
- Things to do in Oxford
- Things to do in Canterbury
- Things to do in Cardiff
- Things to do in Bruges
- Things to do in Lille
- Things to do in Manchester
- Things to do in Ghent
- Things to do in South East England
- Things to do in East of England
- Things to do in Nord-Pas de Calais