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E2 London Through Time: Markets, Arts and City Life
Walking through E2 today, you might spot well-dressed professionals heading to the City, art students sketching in cafes, and food lovers exploring Broadway Market. But this buzzing neighbourhood wasn't always London’s go-to spot for foodies and creatives.
From Victorian Trading Hub to Modern Hotspot
Back in the 1800s, E2 was London’s working backbone, with Regent’s Canal full of cargo boats bringing supplies into the city. Walk down the same streets today and you'll spot creative studios in old warehouses, friends heading to local coffee shops, and canal boats that are more likely to be someone's colourful home than a coal barge. The industrial buzz is still here - it's just got a modern twist. The neighbourhood's Victorian heritage peeks through at every corner. Gas lampposts still line some streets, while weathered cobblestones tell tales of horse-drawn carts and market traders. The old rope works near Haggerston produced the rigging for many ships that sailed the Thames, and today that same building hosts fashion designers and tech startups.
Broadway Market: E2's Living History
Broadway Market tells E2's story perfectly. What started as a Victorian trading street is now one of London’s most popular weekend destinations. Every Saturday, the street comes alive with food stalls, vintage finds, and local artisans. But it's not just about the weekend market - independent shops, cafes and restaurants keep the street buzzing all week long.
The market's roots stretch deeper than most realise - it began as an informal gathering of traders in the 1890s, selling essentials to local factory workers. The Barnes family's pie and mash shop, which served the area for over 150 years, was a testament to this heritage.
E2's Food Scene Is Hard to Beat
E2's food scene is something special. Within walking distance of Regent's View, you'll find three Michelin-starred restaurants: Behind (earning its star in just 20 days!), Da Terra with its two stars, and Brat, famous for its wood-fired cooking. Local favourites like Sune and Mare Street Market add to the mix, making E2 a proper food destination.
Food has always been at the heart of E2. The old-school pie and mash shops rubbed shoulders with Jewish bagel bakeries, and now you'll find everything from proper dumplings at My Neighbours the Dumplings (in an old brewery stable, mind you) to fancy French food at Brawn.
Green Spaces and City Places
Living in E2 means having both available at your door step. London Fields offers a heated lido, cricket pitch, and weekend BBQ spots. Victoria Park, just a 13-minute walk away, gives you 213 acres of green space. Yet the City of London is just one stop away on the tube from Bethnal Green station.
London Fields used to be where farmers would let their cows have a rest on the way to Smithfield Market - bet they didn't expect it would end up hosting yoga classes and BBQs! The massive old plane trees have been keeping locals cool since Victorian times, and they're still going strong. The gardens are lovely too - neat flower beds on one side, wild meadows full of bees and butterflies on the other. Perfect for a Sunday morning stroll or a lazy afternoon with a book.
London's Creative Playground
E2's creative spirit is everywhere you look. The area is home to numerous galleries, including The Old Bank Vault on Hackney Road. Columbia Road's famous flower market brings colour to Sundays, while Hackney Road and Shoreditch offer endless spots to explore art, fashion, and design.
The arty crowd started moving in back in the '70s, when all the factories were closing down. They took over the empty buildings and turned them into studios - proper DIY stuff. These days, places like Chisenhale Gallery show fancy art in what used to be an old factory!
Looking Forward
Only three new developments planned in E2 over the next five years, this area is set to keep its unique character. Property prices have grown 16% in the last five years, showing that others are catching on to E2's special appeal.
As E2 writes its next chapter, developments like Regent's View are adding to the story - it's about adding to the neighbourhood's story, not trying to rewrite it. Whether you're here for the food, the art, or just to soak up proper London life, E2's the real thing.
