London's Historic Brick Lane
French Huguenots, Jews and Bengalis have made this their home
Brick Lane, in London's East End has been home to immigrants for centuries. Now it's mostly the Bengali community who fill the streets with curry houses and sari shops
London's Brick Lane - A Refuge for People Escaping Prosecution
Its name comes from its association with the brick and tile industry which was active here in the 15th-century and over the years this small area in London’s East End became a refuge for the Protestant French Huguenots, prosecuted and exiled from Catholic France, many were master weavers and they built tall, elegant houses, some of which still stand today.
Then came the Jews and the area became known as ‘little Jerusalem’. Rag trade workshops lined the streets and most of the shop signs were written in Yiddish and English. A fine synagogue was built and the streets on Saturdays were filled with Orthodox Jews wearing their fur-trimmed hats.
London's Brick Lane - The 'Curry Capital'
The area had its dark side in the past. The infamous Jack the Ripper roamed the streets of nearby Spitalfields and, on a more elevated note, Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ had its opening night on London’s first permanent stage in Shoreditch, just a short walk away.
Today Brick Lane is the busy centre of London's Bengali district. The first to arrive were sailors who came in the 19th -century when the area was still mainly inhabited by Jews. A few Jewish shops have survived including a bagel bakery which is open 24 hours a day. A great place for a late night snack.
The Bengalis have filled the area with curry restaurants and shops selling saris, silks and spices and Brick Lane is described as London’s ‘Curry Capital’ and is known locally as ‘Banglatown’. The street signs are still bilingual - now in Bengali and English - and a huge Bengali street festival is held here every year.
London's Brick Brick Lane is Changing Again
Brick Lane and its surrounding little streets are showing signs of gentrification. This began in the 1980’s when people began to buy and restore the beautiful Huguenot houses, Artists are moving in and trendy bars are beginning to make an appearance.
Look out for a tall brick chimney half way up Brick Lane. This is the Old Truman Brewery which was founded in 1666, the year of the Great Fire of London. It is now a multimedia centre for fashion and design and IT. Yet another example of the changing face of Brick Lane.
London's Brick Lane Market - A Draw for Traders over Centuries
The Sunday market draws in the crowds, This is a slice of real East End London. you can buy anything from treasures to trash and a lot of interesting stuff in between. There are cheap leather jackets, kitsch collectables and vintage clothes, plus second-hand furniture ranging from Art Deco to junk and a good collection of bric-a-brac. Also, this is your opportunity to sample a real London delicacy - jellied eels.
Many of the traders have been here for generations, particularly those selling fruit and vegetables. this is a real working market. It is not full of stuff that tourists might buy - this is for Londoners who are looking for a good deal, and this is part of its charm for many visitors. It’s a great place for a bargain.
The area has been a draw for shop keepers and traders over the centuries and the tradition continues. Cockney vendors vie for your attention alongside people of all colours and languages - buyers as well as sellers. Get there early-ish as the market closes at 2pm.
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