London's East End

Hi, I'm Liesel Hlista and today we are going to leave all the other tourists behind as we east to London's East End.


Once known for its jellied eel, cockney slang, dock workers, and immigrants, the East End was decimated by Nazi's bombs during the Second World War. Never a region to say die, the area was built up anew and has transformed itself into a unique blend of a new wave of immigrants, new development and hipster artsy types who choose to call the place home. Any trip east should start at Brick Lane. Less than a mile away from the Tower of London, Brick Lane has served as the first British home for many an immigrant and today is home to many Bangladeshis. You can buy fruit and fabrics from street vendors or just enjoy the sights and smells. Brick Lane's walls also serve as the canvas for some of the world's most best graffiti artists. It was also a location on a Killer's video as well as being a setting in Rushdie's 'Satanic Verses'.


What do Dickens , Conrad, and the creators of the hit film '28 Weeks Later' have in common? They all were intrigued enough by the Docklands to set some of their work there. The Docklands is a section of the East End that has seen blazing development in the last 20 years, eschewing warehouses for commercial towers, luxury flats and upscale shopping. Canary Wharf is the epicenter of this growth and houses Canary Wharf Tower, the tallest building in all of England. The Wharf also provides world-class shopping in the form of a beautiful shopping mall and waterfront shops. Loads of new developments are in the works, so stay tuned.


The East End is also home to some of London's best clubs and a great entre into the scene is 93 Feet East. A converted brewery, it features everything you'd expect from a major club, including some of the hottest acts from around the world, and more. On weekends you can swing by early for barbeque in their outdoor courtyard. They also host a variety of media events including film screenings, music launches, and literary events. 93 Feet East also accept band submissions, so if you're feeling lucky send your demo in, details at 93feeteast.co.uk.


So you know, the East End can get hairy in certain in locales, so like you would do anywhere, mind your surroundings.


I'm Liesel Hlista for travelwishtv. Take a look at our other videos for everything you need to know about London and other exciting destinations around the world.