London’s modern charm and unmatched history collide across Limehouse, a beloved East London neighbourhood with a captivating past, vibrant present, and a bright future. Its name comes from ‘lime kilns’, with the area once renowned for its pottery production, as well as its direct access to the River Thames, of course.
With so much fascinating history to explore, you can expect tales of sailors, trading, immigration, and beyond, with relics of the past still echoing down its significant streets. So, without further ado, here are some of the best things to do in Limehouse for your next venture east:
1. Visit one of London’s oldest pubs, The Grapes
Dating back to 1583, this legendary pub is properly worth a visit if you’re looking for a drink with a slice of history. With over 500 years of service, Charles Dickens was known to visit The Grapes (formerly known as The Bunch of Grapes), with the pub still famed for its bohemian spirit to this day, thanks to landlord Sir Ian McKellen.
The Grapes is a cosy pub that’s perfect for kick-starting your day out in Limehouse. From their top-notch pub grub (the Fish & Chips are a staple) to an unbeatable selection of ales and beer, it’s a quintessential London tavern, beloved by many a loyal local. We recommend heading here on a Monday for their fabulous pub quiz, with a chance to win a nice bar tab to keep those pints a’pulling, responsibly of course.
📍 You’ll find The Grapes at 76 Narrow Street, E14 8BP.
2. Catch a gig at the Troxy
As one of London’s many hidden gems when it comes to live music and entertainment, the Troxy is a stunning art-deco events venue in the heart of Limehouse. Its varied history perfectly encapsulates the space it is today, with past lives as a bingo hall, cinema, and even an opera house, gaining Grade II listed status in 1990. From campy nights out with drag excellence to must-see gigs for music lovers, it’s always worth keeping one eye open on the stand-out events line-up at the Troxy.
📍 You’ll find the Troxy at 490 Commercial Road, E1 0HX.
3. Take a picturesque stroll down Regents Canal
There are a handful of adorable canal walks in Limehouse, with all of them weaving their way to the iconic Limehouse Basin, a popular marina that’s jam-packed with canal boats and yachts. You could take the Limehouse Cut canal (pictured above) for a day out on the Thames, or opt for a stroll down the picturesque Regents Canal, taking you to nearby Mile End Park, or even further to Bethnal Green and beyond.
📍 You can find these canal walkways at Limehouse Basin, Goodhart Place, E14 8BT.
4. Relax and unwind on Ropemakers Field
Although small in size when compared to other London parks, Ropemakers Field is a quaint, yet humbly adored green space that’s a go-to spot for picnics, some well-deserved R&R, or a nice stroll when the sun is shining. It’s a great place to start that canal walk we mentioned above, having direct access to the Regents Canal Towpath and the Limehouse Basin.
📍 You’ll find Ropemakers Field at Barleycorn Way, E14 8BX.
5. Take on an institutional pub crawl with Limehouse’s Riverside pubs
If you liked the sound of The Grapes, then you may want to consider extending your stay in Limehouse for the ultimate London pub crawl. The Riverside pubs are iconic Limehouse watering holes nestled along Narrow Street, with so many other fantastic spots in the area worthy of a proper booze up.
After The Grapes, wind your way down the street for Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, another popular pub owned by a famous face, none other than Gordon Ramsey, so you know the food is going to be up to scratch. Then head north into Limehouse for more local favourites like The Prince Regent, The Old Ship, and The White Swan.
📍 The Riverside pubs are located on Narrow Street, E14 8BP.
6. Enjoy a fabulous feast of Chinese food at Shan Shui Jian
Limehouse was London’s original Chinatown, and the best way to honour this remarkable part of the capital’s history is by eating out at one of the few remaining Chinese eateries in the area. Shan Shui Jian is the undisputed favourite, serving authentic Chinese cuisine on Limehouse’s busy Commercial Street.
Although unassuming on the outside, a feast of flavour awaits inside, and at affordable prices too, making it a great option if you’re looking after the pennies. From classic dishes that we all know and love, to lesser-known delicacies, be sure to keep this hotspot in mind if you’re forever craving top-notch Chinese food from London’s best.
📍 You’ll find Shan Shui Jian at 562 Commercial Road, E14 7JD.
7. Meet some new friends at Stepney City Farm
One of the many fantastic free things to do in the capital, Stepney City Farm is a charming, 4.5-acre working farm, that is an absolute dream if you’re looking to escape the hustle of London life in the most adorable way possible! From sheep, goats and donkeys, to pigs, chickens and beyond, get up close and personal with farm animals at this east-end gem.
They even have an awesome educational programme throughout the year, as well as a popular Farmers Market every Saturday.
📍 You can find Stepney City Farm at Stepney Way, E1 3DG.
8. Take in the scenery at Limehouse Basin
We’ve mentioned the Limehouse Basin a couple of times already, but the beloved marina area is worth exploring too. From cute cafés and historic buildings to towering apartment blocks and fantastic shopping, wandering around the harbourside at Limehouse for a picture-perfect morning, or late afternoon for that sunset sky.
Of course, the harbour is full of London’s iconic canal boats, as well as some fancy yachts and other captivating vessels, making it a hotspot for people-watching and boat lovers.
📍 You can find Limehouse Basin at Goodhart Place, E14 8EG.
9. Appreciate the arts at the Half Moon Theatre
Focusing on giving young people access to the arts, the Half Moon Theatre is an initiative and local organisation, that are continuously putting on professional plays for young and family audiences, including teens and young adults. Expect puppetry, gripping storytelling, incredible staging, plus a whole lot more, with the theatre providing several opportunities through their extensive creative learning programme, including eight youth theatres. Click here to visit their website for more information and their current line-up.
📍 You can find the Half Moon Theatre at 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND.
10. Visit the enchanting grounds of St. Anne’s Church
If you frequent Limehouse quite often, you might’ve come across this gorgeous, towering church and its gardens. It is London’s second-highest clock tower, and although it’s currently in need of repairs, the striking exterior and lush surroundings make it a favourite for history and architect buffs, as well as those searching for some well-earned peace in the rowdy capital.
St. Anne’s was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, one of the many well-known students of Sir Christopher Wren. It dates back to 1709 and is said to be named after Queen Anne, as she funded this new parish following a coal tax for those on the neighbouring River Thames.
📍 You’ll find St. Anne’s Church at Three Colt Street, E14 7HP.