London East London

With cutting edge galleries, deliciously affordable markets and restaurants, a raging nightlife scene, and some of the best vintage and boutique shopping in the world, the East End is the heart of East London and also its star—up and coming and going nowhere. In the 19th century, the expansion of London and the nearby docks made this area, just east of the City, a natural gathering point for immigrants, including waves of Huguenots, Ashkenzi Jews, Irish weavers, and Bangladeshis. Eventually, the East End became synonymous with overcrowding, poverty, and disease, and it suffered further damage during World War II. The plus side of this, however, is that the area has remained one of the last affordable areas in central London, attracting cutting edge artists and musicians, including the Young British Artists and Gilbert and George. Today the area is undergoing massive refurbishment for the 2012 Olympics, which some fear will ruin its endearing edge; most, however, are confident in the area’s staying power. Meanwhile, there’s no reason to get off the elevated Docklands Light Railway (DLR) trains in Docklands until they reach Greenwich, home to sights that document its maritime past. Greenwich was also once the favorite residence of Queen Elizabeth. Old St. and Liverpool St. are best for the East End. Farther east, Tube lines serve Canary Wharf and Wapping. The DLR will take you to Greenwich.