18 Things to do in Shoreditch

This short but sweet street is a design lover’s dream. With fashion boutiques that are sah trendy, as well as some really, really nice homeware and interior design stores, you could easily spend a few too many pounds here if you’re not careful.

The shops have a kind of Scandi-feel to them, though you’ll also find well-loved international brands like Aesop and T2 along the strip.

This also includes Le Labo – where you can make your own perfume, candles and lotions. If you get thirsty on the way, there are a few nice little cafe and pubs who will most definitely have whatever you’re looking for.

If you’re looking to try something fun and competitive that you’ve probably never done before, then this could be the place for you.

Shuffle boarding, a kind of cross between ten-pin bowling and curling that’s usually more popular among the senior crowd, has been introduced to Shoreditch at this permanent floor-based shuffleboard club.

There are six indoor lanes and two outdoor lanes, which you can book by the hour. There’s no per-person fee, so the more people you bring, the cheaper it’ll work out.

This Shoreditch hotspot is home to some of East London’s most iconic things. On the top end you’ll find the two rival beigel (not bagel) shops – remnants of the large Jewish community who once populated the area.

Since then, the beigel shops have welcomed other institutions along the Lane, including tiny cafes and bars, vintage stores, and a humongous selection of curry houses.

A market springs up along Brick Lane every Sunday where you might be lucky enough to score some rare vintage finds.

Every Sunday, the quaint Columbia Road just outside of Shoreditch becomes a colour explosion of blooms. No matter the weather, the market is open year-round, meaning the flowers are seasonal and always worth a sniff at.

As well as flowers, stalls overflow with plants in pots you can bring home, and despite how busy they are, vendors are always happy to advise you on how not to kill your new fronds.

Away from the busy streets and hullabaloo of the Shoreditch hotspots lies Hoxton Square.

This grassy garden space is said to be one of the oldest public squares in the capital, and it’s still beloved by London residents who frequent the spot on their lunch breaks or to read a book when the weather’s nice.

Bring a picnic and find yourself a good spot for people watching – no doubt you’ll be able to spot the tech developers and creative designer types that work in the area, as well as a few locals taking their French Bulldogs out for a walk.

When the sun goes down, head in to one of the many bars or eateries that line the square.

This charming covered market has supposedly been a trading site for over 350 years.

Nowadays, the old Victorian building has been spruced up and is host to a range of stalls where local traders sell handmade artisan goods, boutique fashion and niche arts and crafts.

The space also hosts some well-known brands, meaning the adorably quaint Chanel store could be neighbouring an up-and-coming fashion designer one day, and a juice stand the next.

This visual arts centre opened in 2007 and is Britain’s first permanent public space dedicated to reflecting and promoting cultural diversity in the visual arts.

The strikingly postmodern building was designed by Ghanaian British architect Sir David Ajaye, and is the type of building you want to photograph from many different angles.

Head inside to the Autograph gallery (it’s free) for photographic exhibits centring around issues of identity, human rights and social justice.

Be a baller at this Instagram-friendly venue centred around – you guessed it – ball pits.

With one million balls (take my word for it or count them yourself), you can dive into a number of different pits – the biggest one has a 70 metre revolving UV-light mural surrounding it.

You can jump into the balls from a swing and marvel at the ball waterfall, but don’t wear high heels or shoes that might easily come off your feet unless you feel like crawling along the bottom like a human pool cleaner in search for them.

There’s also a pretty extravagant bar, but it goes without saying that drinks aren’t allowed anywhere near the ball pits.

Think yoga, but in an immersive setting that uses coloured light, sound and scent to give you a totally multisensory experience.

As “Shoreditch” as it gets, Chroma Yoga attracts people from all over who want to combine the therapeutic benefits of yoga with a unique kind of experience that combines sport with art.

The combination of light therapy and sound therapy while practising yoga is meant to be all sorts of good for you, but it’s also just a really cool thing to tell your friends about after.

Popular as a date spot but also somewhere that’s a lot of fun for groups, this tucked-away mini golf venue in an underground bar setting always attracts a crowd.

There are four differently-themed courses to choose from: one amidst a wild jungle, another a creepy carnival theme, a movie-themed course and finally, the original car junkyard setup.

Each hole has its own punny name and is not lacking in amusing paraphernalia that is impressively incorporated into the courses.

There are small bar stations throughout each course to keep you hydrated as you swing or to take a break while you wait for the next hole to free up.

Doors open in the late afternoon and things wind down at around 11pm most nights, meaning this is definitely more of a place for playful adults than kids.

Made of 60 recycled shipping containers, the two-storey complex that is Boxpark is definitely worth checking out. 40 containers make up the lower floor on the street level, which is a quirky kind of pop-up shopping space.

Global and international brands can take residency in the containers for a period of time, meaning it’s an ever-changing offering of things ranging from funny giftwares, fine jewellery, outlandish doughnuts and progressive new clothing brands.

The 20 containers above make up the upper floor – a fun space with different food stalls and three large seating areas to accommodate the thirsty customers of the Boxpark bar.

An immersive kind of historical museum, the Dennis Severs House is decked out to look and feel like it would have centuries ago.

The ten rooms of the old Huguenot house have been decorated and furnished to replicate what life for a family of silk-weavers would’ve been like between 1724 and 1914.

Tours are conducted in silence so that you can fully embrace the carefully designed sounds, smells and sights of the restored home displays.

Candles burn, food is left on the table and things like broken tea cups on the floor make it seem like you’ve only just missed the inhabitants moments before.

All over London, railway arches have been transformed and repurposed in many brilliant ways. This space is no exception, with the gallery and venue-for-hire space making it an art spot that is always changing.

The original bricks of the railway arch have been left exposed, making the Hoxton Arches one of the most unique-looking gallery spaces around. Art shows, pop-ups and public events have all been hosted there, so it’s worth checking out to see what’s on.

A hub for both local and global offerings, Rich Mix is a place that has become a platform for a diverse range of independent artists.

The cinema plays everything from blockbusters to hotly requested cult films, as well as international and home-grown film festivals.
You’re bound to discover something new here.

You’ll also find live events including theatre, music, comedy and spoken word performances. Monday is the discount day, and locals can get in cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

During the warmer months, the rooftop of this Shoreditch institution transforms into a cinema – complete with director’s chairs to sit in and blankets to snuggle under for when the sun dips below the horizon.

You can expect Hollywood classics, cult favourites, as well as all the latest blockbusters. Screenings usually start at 9pm (once it’s dark enough to project onto the screen), but you’ll probably want to get there early to enjoy a pre-screening tipple overlooking Shoreditch below.

Don’t despair if you’ve missed cinema season – the rooftop hosts a cosy Moroccan Medina in the wintertime.

Located in the Old Truman’s Brewery, this gem of a spot is stuffed full of records from all over the world. Staff can recommend all the best new sounds and will help you track down that album you’ve been searching for since forever.

An institution since 1976, this record store is more than a retail space – don’t miss special music events and even your favourite artists popping in to do signings. Blur and Queens of the Stone Age are among other legends who have performed here.

Let your taste buds loose and enjoy this lively street food market in Shoreditch. Street diners, bars and shacks offer a selection of food and drink while a DJ and a mass of LEDs provide a party atmosphere. Set over two levels, the addition of cosy, roaring fires means you can now sample food from across the world all year round.

Big screens allow you to sit back and watch all the live sports action with your friends. From wood-fired pizzas to burgers, craft ales to cocktails, this is street food at its best with a party vibe.

Hoxton Street Market has been serving the East End since its formation way back in 1687. Every Saturday you will find a range of items on offer at the market stalls. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere as everyone gathers to shop for local products and participate in some bargain hunting.

The colourful, vibrant stalls sell a range of fruit and veg, household items, clothes and more. Check out the specialist fashion market each Saturday, just part of the local retail offering. The market also has a selection of delicious street food to keep you refreshed.