Living in Shoreditch

About Shoreditch

Historically, Shoreditch has sat outside the City’s puritanical boundaries but has been seen as a haven for actors, poets, prostitutes and spies. The first playhouse in Britain was built here in 1576, and some of Shakespeare’s most iconic works debuted on its stages. Shoreditch was infamous for drinking, dancing and “play making” and some would argue not much has changed.

Today, Shoreditch High Street is still buzzing with bars and restaurants frequented by the arts crowd. But wander into its Dickensian alleyways and you’ll uncover a more refined side. Designer boutiques offer a diverse range of products, from artisanal coffee to handmade shoes and antiques. Hip hotels and rooftop bars jostle for space alongside upmarket galleries. With Shoreditch House and the Ace Hotel now part of the landscape, the area has matured, but it hasn’t lost its reputation as a pleasure seeker’s playground. Nor would its residents want it to.

Fact file

• In 1605, Guy Fawkes’s Gunpowder Plot was uncovered in a house on Hoxton Street.
• The TV series Rev was filmed at St Leonard’s Church, based on its real-life vicar. The church is also immortalised in the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons: “When I am rich, say the bells of Shoreditch.”
• Alfred Hitchcock made his first films at Gainsborough Studios—now stylish canalside flats.

Architecture and property 

While tales of medieval chapels and Tudor theatres abound, there’s little physical evidence left of Shoreditch’s 16th-century notoriety. What you will find are elegant Georgian terraces, converted glass-roofed factories, and French street names are remnants of the Huguenot silk weavers who settled here in the 17th century and helped establish Spitalfields’ textile trade.

The area was heavily bombed during the war, but the last two decades have seen a dramatic transformation. Industrial relics have become chic lofts, and new developments rise rapidly. It’s this juxtaposition of period drama charm on one street, gleaming towers on the next that defines Shoreditch’s character.

Though Shoreditch itself is compact, its historic boundaries stretch to Hoxton and Haggerston, where you’ll find leafy parks and traditional East End markets. Property types range from classic townhouses and warehouse conversions to ex council flats and housing association homes. The red brick buildings around Arnold Circus are particularly sought after. Built in 1896 as Britain’s first social housing scheme, the bandstand and surrounding homes are now Grade II listed.

Going out

Living in Shoreditch means never going hungry. From budget bites to Michelin stars, the area caters to every craving. Street food stars like Mother Clucker serve up fried chicken in the Truman Brewery car park, while Brick Lane’s curry houses and Kingsland Road’s Vietnamese joints are legendary. For upscale dining, Prescott & Conran’s Albion and Boundary offer refined fare. The Clove Club is housed in Shoreditch Town Hall and earned its first Michelin star in 2014.

The pub and bar scene is vast, but step off the main drag and things get more intimate. Many venues come with a story, such as The Carpenter’s Arms, which was once owned by the Kray twins and The Ten Bells is steeped in Jack the Ripper lore.

Though the old theatres are gone, Shoreditch still delivers on culture. Rich Mix offers cinema and arts programming and the independent Art Deco cinema in Dalston, Rio is just a short walk away. Redchurch Street’s galleries shine during First Thursdays, when over 150 East London galleries host late night events.

Local amenities

Shoreditch may not boast a full-sized supermarket, but it more than makes up for it with character and choice. Tesco Metro and Sainsbury’s Local cover the basics, while Waitrose is just a short walk away on Whitecross Street and at Angel. For something more curated, The Grocery on Shoreditch High Street offers organic, fairtrade and locally sourced produce. Longdan on Hackney Road is a go-to for Asian ingredients and pantry staples.

Wellness is well catered for too. Ironmonger Row Baths offers a swimming pool, gym, spa and traditional Turkish baths. Shoreditch House East, a private members’ club, features a rooftop pool with skyline views.

Redchurch Street has reinvented itself as a hub for upscale fashion, interiors, beauty and gourmet goods. Brick Lane remains the go-to for vintage finds and its bustling Sunday market. Calvert Avenue is a hidden gem for stylish shoppers, and the Truman Brewery regularly hosts pop-ups and sample sales.

Markets are part of the local rhythm. Brick Lane’s Sunday market has become a magnet for tourists, but Hoxton Market retains its authentic East End charm, selling everything from fresh produce to fashion and household goods. Cycling is a way of life here, reflected in the abundance of bike shops.

For food lovers, Leila’s on Calvert Avenue is a visual treat with its seasonal fruit and veg displays, while St John Bread and Wine is revered for its exceptional loaves. And no guide to Shoreditch would be complete without a nod to the legendary 24-hour Brick Lane Beigel Bake, a local legend and home of the iconic salt beef bagel.