Spitalfields (A Guided Walk in London)
"Spitalfields" is a Guided Walk in London, devised and led by the well known Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby, of Colin Crosby Heritage Tours.
These strolls are an excellent way of soaking up some Local History.
The walk starts outside Liverpool Street Station, on the pavement at the top of the escalator in Bishopsgate.
Spitalfields is a very historic area of London, but tends to be ignored by tourists and guides alike.
It is actually outside the City of London. Bishopsgate was one of the old gates to the City, and the gate itself was situated quite near the station, just the other side of St. Botolph's Church.
During the walk, Colin will be discussing the waves of immigrants who for centuries have shaped the character of this part of London.
In particular, he will be highlighting the Huguenots, refugees from religious persecution who settled here and such places as Braintree, Bocking and Halstead in Essex (where they founded the Courtaulds empire), and Canterbury and Sandwich in Kent. Spitalfields is rich in elegant houses built by these people.
Also to be seen is the magnificent Christ Church, Spitalfields, built by Nicholas Hawksmoor.
Spitalfields contains several sites associated with the notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper, who terrorised London in the 1880s, as well as Petticoat Lane market and some unexpected lanes with a mediaeval feel, including Artillery Lane.
"Spitalfields" is one of a number of walks led by Colin looking at aspects of London's history. These include "Tower Hill", "Bow Bells", "Churches of London", "Street Names of London", "Smithfield and Clerkenwell" and "Southwark and Bankside".
Dates, costs and where to meet
A place on 'Spitalfields' costs £5.50 per person, or £3.50 if paying in advance. The guided walk begins at Liverpool Street Station, and is running on:
I'm sorry, but there are no plans to run this event at present.
If you would like to book a place on one of these dates, please telephone Colin on (0116) 2611576 or email him at colin@crosbyheritage.co.uk.