Hidden Gems
Coventry University London is right at the heart of one of London’s most distinctive and unique areas, Shoreditch.
From the colourful graffiti-artwork by famous and upcoming artists alike decorating the streets, to the enticing smells of Brick Lane and independent shops, this is the centre of the City of London. This is where creativity and business work alongside each other.
As a student in this vibrant area you’ll want to make the most out of all the fun and exciting opportunities on your doorstep, so here are some of our favourite hidden gems for you to explore!
Lifestyle
Spitalfields
Where the old and the new sit together, there has been a site on Spitalfields Market for over 350 years and it is now home to a mix of fashion and eateries. From the finest brands to a market which is open seven days per week (top tip: Friday is the day for fashion lovers), there is something for everyone! You’ll be able to get your hands on affordable vintage, handmade gifts and attend themed events.
Distance from campus: 0.2 miles
The Old Truman Brewery
This used to be home to London’s largest brewery and now it’s creating something different – a buzz around Shoreditch! This is now home to independent shops, galleries, bars and restaurants. You’ll be able to attend events like yoga workshops, spoken words performances, fashion shows and many more!
Distance from campus: 0.5 miles
Broadgate Circle
Right next to Liverpool Street Station, you’ll walk into Broadgate Circle which is London’s latest hub of activity! It is perfect to enjoy all year-round with sun-filled terraces during the summer and an ice skating rink (and even Santa Claus!) during the winter.
Distance from campus: 0.4 miles
Boxpark
Boxpark brings together street-food stalls together with a pop-up mall for an effortlessly cool collection of fashion, food and drinks. Some of our favourite tenants include FalafeLicious, tasty and healthy middle-eastern cuisine specialists, and Soft Serve Society, who do everything from a simple ice to a mega freakshake. Hype features clothing with Pokemon, the Gift Box will make present buying more fun, and you find the best retro clothing at Nordic Poetry.
Distance from campus: 0.5 miles
Food
Strut and Cluck
Delamina East started off as a pop-up restaurant, but is not your standard fast-food poultry shop. It specialises in free-range turkey and vegetarian recipes served as meze with Middle-Eastern influences.
Distance from campus: 0.4 mile
Sky Garden
Walking around the financial district you might not expect to look upwards and see a public garden but on top of the Walkie Talkie building there are views to rival the Shard. And tickets are free, you just need to book first! You’ll have the pick of 3 eateries and 2 bars so you’ll be able to dine in the Sky Garden.
Distance from campus: 0.6 mile
PUMP
This is another food village on Shoreditch High Street where you can sample even more of East London’s finest street food. From the outside, PUMP looks like an American-style gas station but as you walk inside you’ll see colourful food sheds, serving cuisines from Venezuela, India and more, with cushioned seating areas for you to enjoy your dishes.
Distance from campus: 0.6 mile
Pizza East
Set in an old warehouse, Pizza East serves food straight from the wood oven and you can buy treats including cheese and Italian cured meats from the deli.
Distance from campus: 0.5 mile
Honest Burgers
Walking around London you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice for burger restaurants and literally a one minute walk around the corner will bring you to the local contender. Honest Burgers focus on using great British ingredients – and you need to try their rosemary chips.
Distance from campus: 300ft
Ottolenghi
If you’re looking for a healthy meal to pick-up and take to campus, try Ottolenghi’s grab-and-go fridge filled with salads and sandwiches with a Mediterranean influence. We find it very hard to resist the pastry and cake display in the window too!
Distance from campus: 390ft
Department of Coffee and Social Affairs
It’s time to enter our nomination into the great coffee debate: The Department of Coffee and Social Affairs not only provides quality coffee but is also well-known for its humanitarian work in the UK and abroad!
Distance from campus: 0.3 mile
Shopping
Absolutely Vintage
Make a statement in Shoreditch by visiting a warehouse which is now home to Absolutely Vintage. Fall in love with their vintage stock – which is loved by fashionistas and celebrities alike – and reinvent yourself in every era.
Distance from campus: 0.4 mile
Backyard Market
Celebrate the creative community by visiting the Backyard Market, one of Truman Brewery’s outlets. This was the first market to open on a Saturday in the area and you can experience the real charm of Brick Lane by exploring the clothes, jewellery and other unusual accessories on offer.
Distance from campus: 0.5 mile
Columbia Road Flower Market
If you’re looking for something different to do on a Sunday, take a walk down Columbia Road and see how the street becomes transformed by colourful flowers. As well as the scent of flowers, there are sixty independent shops lining the street from galleries to cake shops.
Distance from campus: 1.2 miles
Nightlife
Cargo
Best known for being home to two Banksy masterpieces, Cargo is located in a disused railway yard and is one of Shoreditch’s best loved music venues. The outside garden has a photo booth and fooseball table, and DJs take visitors from day to night.
Distance from campus: 0.7 mile
Simmons
A two-minute walk from campus brings you to Simmons, a quirky cocktail bar decorated with chic lampshades and old school desks. You can play retro video games and order drinks from teapots making it an affordable and enjoyable experience.
Distance from campus: 430ft
Entertainment
Street Art
You’ll quickly notice all the street artwork all around you in London and this is particularly true in Shoreditch. The creative streets are always being updated so new masterpieces will continue to appear. Here are a few streets for you to start exploring: Brick Lane, Rivington Street, Princelet Street and Fashion Street.
But if you’d like some guidance about what you’ll be looking at there are many Street Art Tours on offer in the heart of Shoreditch.
Distance from campus: Everywhere!
Electric Cinema
Is there a better way to sit back and enjoy a film than from a leather armchair with cashmere blankets? The Electric Cinema on Redchurch Street is a relaxing cinematic showing a range of films from the newest blockbusters to art house favourites. You’ll find the cinema in the three-flour Barber and Parlour, which has an assortment of beauty spaces and a fully licensed del-bar and coffee station to complete your day out.
Distance from campus: 0.6 mile
Spitalfields City Farm
One of the only things central London is missing is the countryside… but Spitalfields City Farm makes this a reality! It is free to visit this green space and the Farmyard is the centre of the farm with many animals including donkeys, goats, and ducks. You can get involved by volunteering or even attend a Goat Race in the Spring.
Distance from campus: 0.2 mile
Local History
Jack the Ripper
When people talk about the history of London, it’s hard to ignore the gruesome history of Jack the Ripper and how the city reacted in the days when he was alive. And when night-time falls, you can step back in time and walk the old alleyways of the Victorian East End on a Jack the Ripper tour with experts on the subject.
Distance from campus: 0.4 mile
The Monument
In 1666 the Great Fire travelled through the streets of London after starting in a bakery on Pudding Lane. Most buildings in the city were made of wood so the flames raged for 4 days with nearly one-third of all buildings being destroyed. Today you can visit the Monument – just 202ft from the original fire site - and climb 311 steps to the top!
Distance from campus: 0.7 mile
Bank of England
Many of our students have had the opportunity to tour the Bank of England and discover how this has shaped the country over the last 300 years. Set in an impressive building, visitors can explore the financial history, learn about policies and even hold a real gold bar!
Distance from campus: 0.6 mile
St Paul’s Cathedral
The dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is a famous feature of the London skyline where royalty have been married. You can walk across the Cathedral floor, climb the dome to experience the Whispering Galley or go down below to the crypt.
Distance from campus: 1 mile
Guildhall
The Guildhall ’s history has spanned more than 800 years where merchants held court and an archbishop and queen were tried for treason. This traditional home to the powerful in London has also been the venue for our Coventry University London graduations, where our students add their own history.
Distance from campus: 0.7 mile
