The insider: The Art of Visiting East London as a local
- Jan Johannessen
- Nov 7, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 10, 2025
At the intersection of three vibrant East London neighbourhoods, Hoxton, Islington and Shoreditch. Tomás Villachica, nhow London´s marketing and communications manager, shares his best tips for the area.
-East London is a mix of art, creativity, independent businesses, and a strong community spirit, Villachica explains.
The area has transformed from its gritty industrial past into one of the world's most dynamic and culturally rich urban destinations. This is where Victorian warehouses have become cutting-edge galleries, where street art adorns historic walls, and where the aroma of artisan coffee mingles with spices from Brick Lane's famous curry houses.
For Tomás Villachica, London has been his home since 2014, after working in the hospitality industry in Scotland for 2 years.
-I moved to Aberdeen to learn English for a few months. My brother was working as a front-office supervisor in a hotel. They were looking for a night auditor, and didn’t mind that I couldn´t speak English, he explains.
-What was supposed to be a few months has turned into more than 10 years in the UK, he continues.
He has been with nhow London, the first nhow Hotels & Resorts property in the UK by the global hotel group Minor Hotels, for the last couple of years,
-East London is where some of the world’s most famous bells, including Big Ben and the Liberty Bell, were cast, and it’s also considered the birthplace of modern boxing.
For your 48 hours in the British capital, and especially when staying in East London, the marketing manager has these tips for your 48-hour itinerary:
-Near nhow London, visit the Barbican Conservatory, and on Sundays, the Columbia Road Flower Market, Tomás says.
The Barbican Conservatory is a hidden tropical oasis in the heart of London's Brutalist Barbican Centre. Perched on the second floor of the iconic concrete complex, this lush indoor garden spans over 23,000 square feet and houses more than 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees, including palms, cacti, and ferns from around the world.
Columbia Road Flower Market is one of London's most beloved Sunday traditions, transforming a Victorian street in East London's Shoreditch into a riot of colour, fragrance, and energy every weekend.
Speaking of Shoreditch
-Don’t miss Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane, Tómas states.
Spitalfields Market has been a trading hub since 1638, though today's glass-roofed Victorian hall bears little resemblance to its origins as a wholesale fruit and vegetable market. The restored market now houses an eclectic mix of independent fashion designers, vintage clothing dealers, and artisan food vendors.
A five-minute walk brings you to Brick Lane. Once home to Huguenot silk weavers, then Jewish immigrants, and now the heart of London's Bangladeshi community, each wave has left its mark. The former Huguenot chapel that became a synagogue and is now the Brick Lane Mosque perfectly embodies this evolution.
Vintage shops occupy former industrial spaces, street art by international artists decorates every available wall, and the Sunday Upmarket transforms the Old Truman Brewery into a maze of food stalls and independent designers.
-For a historic pub experience, try Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. For food, Borough Market is fantastic, and if you like ramen, Monohon Ramen in Old Street is affordable and one of the best I’ve tried, Tómas advises hungry visitors.
If you want to escape East London and hang out at the world's biggest collection of living plants, Tomás sends you off to Kew Gardens.
The botanical garden is located in the southwest area of London, easily reached by the tube. Get off at Kew Gardens Underground Station on the District Line, and then there is a short walk to the entrance of the gardens.
Away from London, Tomás loves to travel, and he highlights Japan as his favourite destination so far.
-Because I love the food and how polite people are, he explains.
nhow London
Tucked between the creative quarters of Shoreditch and Islington, nhow London is a hotel that feels more like an art installation than a place to sleep. Designed by renowned architect James Soane, this bold, pop-art-inspired space celebrates London’s eccentricity—think neon Union Jacks, punk-rock murals, and playful nods to British icons from tea culture to royal pageantry.
Rooms are sleek and vibrant, with custom artwork and industrial details. Downstairs, the Guilty London restaurant and sports bar buzz with locals and guests alike, serving British comfort food with a creative twist. Perfect for travellers who want their stay to reflect the city’s energy,
2 Macclesfield Road, London EC1V 8DG
