6 Things to Do in Whitechapel

6 Things to Do in Whitechapel

Located in the east end, Whitechapel is one of the most up and coming areas in London. For lovers of art, culture, food and history, there’s plenty of ways to spend your time in Whitechapel.

1. Whitechapel Gallery

Located on Whitechapel High Street is Whitechapel Gallery. The Gallery has been open since 1901 and was London’s first publicly funded exhibition space. Over the years it has premiered many world class artists, from the likes of Pablo Piccasso, Mark Rothko and Frida Kahlo.

With beautiful galleries, exhibitions, historic archives, art courses, a bookshop and a cafe, there is always something interesting to see. Although the gallery does not have a permanent collection there is a wide-ranging program of several exhibitions each year. The program has ranged from showcasing art from Africa and India to premiering the work of emerging artists. Over the years the gallery has built a reputation as one of the most forward thinking galleries in the world, and if you step inside it is easy to see why.

After a 2-year project, the gallery reopened in 2009, following major redesign and expansion work, which saw the grade II listed building be transformed into a vibrant art centre. It is somewhere well worth visiting if you are in the area, especially as it is free to enter.

80-82 Whitechapel High Street

London

E1 7QX

Nearest station: Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City  and District lines). The gallery is located next door.

The Gallery is open Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 6pm (It is open until 9pm on Thursdays). It is open all year round apart from 24-26 December.

Entry is free (Some Special exhibitions may require fee)

2. Spitalfields City Farm

Goat at Spitalfields Farm

Located just a few minutes walk away from the hustle and bustle of Whitechapel and Brick Lane is Spitalfields City Farm. It is home to much loved animals, including pigs, sheep, parrots, ferrets, among others, as well as rare breeds including Bayleaf the donkey.

The farm was set up in 1978 in response to local people’s demand for allotments, having lost theirs to developers.  There are strong community links here and it is designed as a learning and education resource for local residents. Apart from the animals there are also charming gardens, a farm shop and a café. There are also many events held here including cookery classes and the annual Oxford Cambridge goat race. So if you want to try to visit somewhere different and unique this is a great place to go, especially if you have kids.

Spitalfields City Farm

Buxton Street, London, England, E1 5AR, United Kingdom

Nearest station: Whitechapel (Disctrict/Hammersitmih & City line/Overground) and Shoreditch High Street (Overground)

Open Tuesday – Sunday 10-4pm. More info can be found here

3. Royal London Hospital Museum

Located in the former crypt of a 19th century grade II church, this museum documents the history of the hospital since its formation in 1740.  In this museum there are sections on Joseph Merrick, better known as the ‘Elephant Man,’ where you will find a replica skeleton created from digital 3D scans, as well as original documentation of his residence. You can find also find out about the lives of key figures from the hospital including nurses Edith Cavell and Eva Luckes and surgeon Sir William Blizard, looking at the impact medical advancement had on the hospital as well as on the local area.

Another interesting exhibit in the museum is a display devoted to forensic medicine and features original material from the Jack the Ripper murders. There is a facsimile from the famous ‘From Hell’ letter as well as the surgeon who helped to investigate them. There is also a permanent exhibition of artefacts and archives showing the history  of healthcare in the area. You can see the different medical equipment and instruments used.

The Royal London Hospital Museum
St Augustine with St Philip’s Church
Newark Street
London
E1 2AA

Nearest station: Whitechapel

Open every Friday from 10-12:30 and 1-4pm. Entry is free.

4. Museum of Childhood

V & A Museum of Childhood: Wikimedia Commons

Located a short walk from Whitechapel is the V&A Museum of Childhood, a fascinating museum showcasing  the UK’s national collection of childhood objects, dating all the way back from the 1600s to the present day.

Part of the V & Museum, the museum has been collecting childhood objects since 1872 and is home to one of the world’s finest collections of children’s toys, costumes, doll’s houses and games, from rare hand crafted objects to popular well-loved toys, giving a fascinating insight into how children lived and played. The museum has lots of hands-on activities for kids and is perfect for a family day out.

V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath Road
London E2 9PA
United Kingdom

Nearest station: Bethnal Green

Open daily 10 – 5:45 (closed 24 – 26 December)

Entry is free

5. Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

If dark tourism is your thing then there is no better way to finish off a visit to Whitechapel than a walking tour of Jack the Ripper, one of the most notorious murderers in British history. The Whitechapel area is synonymous with Jack the Ripper, an area in which he was able to murder 5 prostitutes without ever being identified. To this day the murders remain a mystery.

On this tour you will step back in time to the night of the murders as you join forces with the Victorian police to try to solve one of the most infamous murder cases. Led by an expert, will go around different spots where the murders took place as well as unearth clues from the night in question.

The tour runs every evening from 7pm. Tickets cost £10.

Further info can be found on the website.

6. Wilton’s Music Hall

Wilton’s Music Hall: Wikimedia Commons

Experience the world’s oldest and last surviving music halls in this magnificent grade II* listed building. The hall was opened by John Wilton in the 19th century as a concert hall and has survived the following century and a half.

After years of dereliction it was finally restored as a full time theatre and historic landmark. Many of the features inside stayed the same, including the ‘barley sugar‘ cast iron pillars, the sloped wooden floor, carved balcony and the classical arches. A guided tour around the hall offers a captivating insight into the history and heritage of the venue. The tours are conducted by heritage experts who work full time at the building.

Wilton’s Music Hall,
1 Graces Alley (pedestrian access only)
London, E1 8JB

Nearest station: Aldgate East

Opening times can be found here