Lost London - The Immigrants and Estates of Spitalfields

photo © Ruth Sharville

MEET: in Starbucks in Liverpool Street station at the bottom of the Bishopsgate escalator exit at 10.45 for tea

or at platform 17 for the start of the walk at 11.15.

My number is 07815009191.

Spitalfields takes its name from the medieval hospital that stood here for hundreds of years. We'll see the ruins of the institution that took in even the royal sick. There's evidence of Roman dead and famine victims too. We'll talk about why they are here.

In time the area became a haven for wave upon wave of refugees: Huguenots first, then Jews and Irish and most recently Bengalis. We'll take in the only building in the western world to be a church, a synagogue and a mosque. There's the oldest social housing in the country and still standing, the tragic story of artist Mark Gertler, how Hawksmoor's massive Christchurch was almost demolished and street upon street of 18th century houses. Finally, find out the best place in east London for a curry (HINT: it's not in Brick Lane.)

The walk is circular.
Please pay £12 to my account number 75471878 sort code 090128, paypal or cash on the day.

If you see unpaid by your name just ignore it.