London is a vibrant city, rich with culture and so much to offer. The city is packed with some of the best food spots, vintage shops and markets, and is also a hub for young creatives with several music venues, museums and theatres across the city. Confetti London is located at the heart of Whitechapel and is not far from some of the London’s best hangout districts such as Brick Lane, Spitalfields and Shoreditch. Here are just a few ways you can spend your time off campus whilst getting to know the city better.
Rough Trade East
Rough Trade East is a must-visit for all music lovers and is located in the trendy Brick Lane area. This shop is the largest of its UK stores and is best known for hosting some legendary live performances since it first opened in 2007 including Blur, John Prine and Public Enemy. The shop holds an impressive selection of vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, books and other music-related merchandise. You can even stop for a hot drink, toastie or beer at the café before browsing the collections. By night, you can attend intimate gigs and signings, where you’ll get the chance to socialise with fellow music fans. You can find their upcoming events here and check out the store’s cool vibe:
Spitalfields City Farm
Spitalfields City Farm is a small farmyard complete with luscious green gardens and a rustic café, all located in the heart of London. Only a 12-minute walk from our London campus, it’s a perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature. The farm is home to a range of animals and wildlife including donkeys, goats, pigs and rabbits. It also features a little tea hut serving homemade produce and bakes, many of which are grown and produced right on the farm. While there is the option to donate (something we highly encourage), entry to the farm is completely free and you can visit Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Check it out:
Spitalfields Market
You can find a diverse range of food, fashion, art and music at Spitalfields Market, just a 15-minute walk from our London campus. As well as many well-known restaurants, cafés and clothing shops, the market is home to hundreds of independently-owned stalls selling tasty food and one-of-a-kind pieces. Open every day of the week, the market has something for everyone and is worth exploring.
Vintage shopping around Brick Lane
Brick Lane is a famous destination for vintage shopping in London. The area is known for its eclectic mix of vintage shops, offering a wide range of unique and rare items, including clothes, bags, shoes, accessories and vinyl. With some vintage items getting pricier, student-friendly vintage shops like Vintage Basement have a basement full of preloved items, all priced at £10. Atika also offer a 10% student discount all year on all of their own branded vintage and handmade items. Lastly, Brick Lane Vintage Market has a range of stalls selling fashion, jewellery and cheap vinyl. Take a look at them here:
Beigel Bake
London’s best bagel? Beigel Bake is one of London’s oldest and famous bagel spots, founded in 1974. You can grab a bagel at any time, as this shop has their door open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! All of the bagels are made fresh every day and the menu has countless filling choices, all at affordable prices. They also serve a selection of pastries if you prefer a sweet treat.
Just a heads up, this place is always busy so be sure to arrive with plenty time. The queue moves fairly quickly, just make sure you’re not late for class!
Libreria
If you’re looking for a good read, Libreria won’t disappoint. This unique, second-hand book shop located just off Brick Lane takes a creative approach to organising its shelves. They’re categorised by themes like ‘Wanderlust’, rather than alphabetically, offering a completely different browsing experience and the chance to discover new titles you may not have otherwise seen. The cosy interior and reading nooks, make it a relaxing escape from the busy streets and place to get stuck into a book.
