walk/tour
Outside hub by Premier Inn London Spitalfield, 86 Brick Lane, E1 6RL
Huguenots had a huge impact on London’s culture, commerce and industry from the 17th century onwards. But how much do we really know about them? During this walk we will discover and explore the history of Spitalfields.
Aldgate East, Liverpool Street
Liverpool Street
We'll end in Puma Court opposite Old Spitalfields Market
Walking tour
10:00–11:45
How to book
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Spitalfields in London’s East End is a small area but rather important in the story of immigration. One of the first refugee communities who settled here were the French Huguenots who fled religious persecution in the 17th century. Their story was one of danger, terror, courage, optimism, hope, and change. In this walk we’ll (re)discover the area, looking for traces of Huguenots’ heritage still visible today – where and how did they live and work? What happened to their places of worship and how did they make a living? We’ll find clues hidden in plain sight, pass commemorative plaques and learn why many of them kept canaries.
This tour is led by a graduate of Open City’s Golden Key Academy - an eight-month course designed to train insightful and engaging guides who bring London’s rich stories to life.
Learn more about the Golden Key Academy here: open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy