A half-day from East End brick lanes to the Thames and Tower, with the postcard Westminster views as a quick optional finish. Walk the first three chapters; skip or ride between stretches if your feet vote no.
The first three chapters are the half-day plan; figures are rough and exclude interiors. Pick just one ticketed visit (Tower, Tower Bridge or Tate Modern) and keep the rest to quick exterior stops. For the Westminster views, finish at St Paul’s and take the Tube or a taxi; the 4.2-mile West End chapter is an optional longer extension.
Open the shared Google Maps collection ↗Good call: the salt beef, mustard and pickle is the East End move. Beigel Bake is open 24/7 at 159 Brick Lane, a short hop from Old Spitalfields and right on the route. Browse the market, then grab lunch here.
The walk’s first stop: a lively Victorian market hall. The daily market runs Monday 10:00–18:00 and the Kitchens 11:00–18:00; food stalls are a rotating international mix. Continue to Brick Lane for your beigel.
Poppies’ Spitalfields branch is at 6–8 Hanbury Street, a few minutes from the market. It’s the classic British option if you decide you want a full plate instead; check its live hours before setting off.
At 37–39 Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell. CAMRA’s listing (updated 5 July 2026) lists the pub open Monday noon–10:30pm, but its food times say “No Service” on Monday. Mikkeller’s own site has a food menu but no Monday kitchen hours, so don’t rely on it for lunch. Keep Beigel Bake as the dependable meal; detour to Mikkeller for a pint if time allows.
For a memorable British meal back near Spitalfields: seasonal nose-to-tail cooking, sharing plates and a daily-changing menu. Reserve and check what’s on.
Official menu & booking ↗Masala Brick Lane does familiar curry-house favourites and a meat thali sampler. Handy if you want butter-chicken-style comfort on Monday; Dishoom can stay special for Tuesday.
Thali / offers ↗M.Manze is the old-school London pie-and-parsley-liquor experience, south of the river and best treated as a deliberate detour.
Locations & hours ↗