St. George in the East

Exploring some of the lesser-known parts of London is always revealing and a visit to St. George in the East, a parish squeezed between Wapping and Whitechapel, adds yet another dimension to the historical mix of the East End.

The imposing St George-in-the-East church designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, dominates the area. Being so close to London Docks it suffered badly from wartime bombing but the exterior shell survived and so did the familiar pepper-pot towers. This was once a turbulent area especially in 1936 when Oswald Mosley attempted to take his Blackshirt followers marching along Cable Street. The huge mural on the wall of the old Town Hall building recalls that time.

The walk starts at Limehouse station and continues along the river to Shadwell Basin and London Dock, now a quiet housing estate. The Shard is unmissable. It reaches high into the sky and well above Tower Bridge. Like it or loathe it, this design by Renzo Piano dominates the London skyline and is certainly a talking point on any walking tour.