DISCOVER: 17 things to do in Shoreditch on the weekend
by Chloe Woolley
Shoreditch is the kind of place you could find yourself exploring for a whole day, when you only meant to visit for an hour. It has everything you could ever want: culture, great food, cool shops, fun bars and, in general, great vibes.
There might just be too much choice for one weekend, but that’s fine — it’s just another excuse to do art’otel London Hoxton all over again. Whenever you’re in the area, whatever your tastes, here are our picks for the top 17 things to do in Shoreditch on the weekend. Check it out.
Columbia Road Flower Market
A stalwart of Shoreditch and Hoxton history, this Sunday market pairs heaps of classic East End charm with a hefty dose of florals. Stroll between stalls packed with fresh blooms as Cockney stallholders call out the day’s deals. The shouts of flowers going for a ‘fiver’ or a ‘tenner’ (£5 or £10) ring out as early as 9am, and because everything is so fresh, it’ll all be gone by 14:00.
Beyond the flowers, the street’s Victorian shops offer everything from vintage jewellery, home-baked cakes and cream teas to art prints and antiques. If you’re in the mood for brunch, nab a table at Mediterranean small plates restaurant Brawn, or one at the Royal Oak for your classic Full English.
Where to find Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG
Old Spitalfields Market
Open seven days a week and full of trinkets, treasures and troves of clothes, Old Spitalfields Market is one of East London’s most unique places to shop. Head to ‘The Londoners Home’ for all your interior design needs, check out ‘Little Next Door Clothing’ for super soft t-shirts with heaps of personality, and grab a bite at Sud Italia or The Dumpling Shack.
Once you’ve covered the roofed main hall, head outside to the row of upmarket shops flanking Commercial and Brushfield Street. If it’s not local hometown heroes like Wax London, Percival, or The Mercantile that catch your eye, the hand-crafted gifts of Inspitalfields certainly will.
Where to find Old Spitalfields Market
16 Horner Square, London, E1 6EW
Brick Lane Vintage Market
Is it any surprise the home of fashion graduates and the city’s trendsetters also offers some of the city’s best shopping? For the committed vintage finders, there’s no better place to dig than Brick Lane Vintage Market. Spend a couple hours hunting through the winding rooms to get that real one-of-a-kind piece, or for a more chilled intro into vintage shopping, pop into ROKIT, Nordic Poetry or House of Vintage just outside.
Where to find Brick Lane Vintage Market
85 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
Beigel Bake Brick Lane
An East End institution since 1974, Beigel Bake Brick Lane is a must. Open 24/7, this legendary bakery has been serving up its hand-rolled, freshly baked bagels for decades, using a closely guarded family recipe that keeps both locals and tourists coming back for more. Their signature salt beef bagel with mustard and pickles is the star of the show, but there are plenty of options to choose from. Be prepared for a queue, but trust us—it moves fast, and it’s worth the wait!
Where to find Beigel Bake Brick Lane
159 Brick Lane, London, E1 6SB
AIDA Shoreditch
A Scandinavian clothing and homeware store that features a coffee bar? Sounds like heaven to us. From beautifully designed clothes by the likes of Sideline and Damson Madder to must-have coffee table books and unique pieces of homeware, this is your go-to spot for gift buying or just treating yourself.
And the best bit? You can get 20% off at the store with our exclusive code ART20.
Where to find AIDA Shoreditch
133 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JE
Libreria
A bookworm’s heaven. Designed by Spanish architect SelgasCano, its bright yellow walls are filled to the brim with over 6,000 titles you won’t find anywhere else. Shelves aren’t organised by genre, but instead by broad themes like ‘wanderlust’ and ‘the city’, meaning you’ll never know what book might jump out at you. It’s the sort of place you’ll want to get lost in on London’s more drizzly days.
Where to find Libreria
65 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5JL
StolenSpace Gallery
Owned by D*Face and home to a bunch of other uber-cool artists, this is a gallery that’s Shoreditch through and through. It’s ‘a space where few rules exist, and creativity knows no bounds’ (their words, not ours). Exhibitions from the likes of David Bray, Murmure Street and Egs change every few weeks, so no two visits are ever alike. Want to take a bit of the exhibition home with you? Their store has a range of bags, books, sweats, hoodies, pins, patches and stickers all up for grabs.
Where to find StolenSpace Gallery
17 Osborn Street, London, E1 6TD
Autograph
Located on Rivington Street, this lesser-known gallery hosts rotating photography exhibitions exploring race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice. Past collections have addressed complex themes, from the emotions of displacement and exile in an exhibition by Hélène Amouzou, to black queer self-expression in the photographs of Fani-Kayode. It costs nothing to enter but you’ll leave with lots to think about.
Where to find Autograph Gallery
1 Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA
Museum of the Home
Ever wonder what it would have been like to live in Hackney 200 years ago? Going all the way back to the 1600s, discover how Londoners’ lives have evolved throughout time and learn more about the fashion and innovations of the past. Recent exhibitions have covered everything from EastEnders fashion trends over the past 40 years to the lived experience of disabled people in the home. If you’re blessed to visit during the warmer months of the year, head out back to the gorgeous gardens and have a wander around the ‘Gardens Through Time’ exhibit too.
Where to find Museum of the Home
136 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA
Junkyard Golf
If you’re a fan of the weird and wonderful, this is the place for you. Junkyard Golf takes crazy golf to the next level with wacky and extremely luminous courses. Plus, actually pretty good cocktails. It gives nightclub vibes but provides a whole lot more fun. Get ready for a night out like no other.
Where to find Junkyard Golf Shoreditch
88 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2BE
Bar Hopping
One thing we can guarantee about Shoreditch is that it’s the place to be for those spontaneous, anything-could-happen kind of nights. Whether you fancy just one drink at a cute cocktail bar like Nightjar, enjoy live music at The Brush Lounge & Cocktail Bar or want a big night out ending at Village Underground Club, it will be one to remember.
Bottomless Brunch
Foodies love Shoreditch, and its specialty has to be bottomless brunch. The Brush Grand Café is your go-to those live DJs and food to die in a classy setting, while Barrio just down the road delivers dance-offs, singalongs, and all-out mayhem. Serata Hall offers a trendy, Instagram-worthy setting with a diverse brunch menu, while Lantana Shoreditch brings Aussie café vibes to the mix.
Street Art Tours
The streets of Shoreditch are an open canvas for creativity, where many street artists have left their mark. Sign up for a guided walk with Shoreditch Street Art Tours or simply wander the neighbourhood yourself and you’ll find a unique masterpiece waiting at every corner. Don’t miss the king of street art Banksy’s pieces that you can spot throughout Shoreditch, including on the entrance of our hotel.
Hackney City Farm
Tucked away up the road in Hackney, this farm will make you feel like you’ve stepped out of London entirely. Pop in to hang out with the cute farm animals for your weekly serotonin boost or get stuck in with one of their educational workshops where you’ll learn what it takes to look after farm animals. It’s a super wholesome afternoon either way.
Rivington Street
Brick Lane might be the most famous street in Shoreditch, but anyone who’s Rivington Street is where you’ll one to check out too. Stunning pieces of street art can be found up and down the street, alongside plenty of cute coffee shops and tasty spots for a quick lunch. Our top tip? Don’t miss “De Nadas Empanadas” for a real taste of Argentina, right from the streets of Shoreditch.
Boundary Gardens
One for the summer months, Boundary Gardens offers a perfect tranquil escape from the hectic city. Soak up the sun with a good book or enjoy a picnic lunch with friends. It’s our pick for best spot in Shoreditch for some much-needed green space.
art’beat at art’otel London Hoxton
We may be a tinsy bit bias, but we reckon that our cultural programme is up there in the top things to do in the area. Drop in for candle making or try your hand at life drawing. Want to admire rather than create? Our gallery always has something worth talking about on.
Where to find art’otel London Hoxton
1-3 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3DT
