Exploring Some Off-beat Attractions of London

If you're arriving at Gatwick Airport, transfers can get you to the very heart of London in a surprisingly short space of time. Once there, you may want to see many of the world-famous sights that London has to offer, but if you’re looking to break things up a little and see some off-beat and slightly less touristy things, consider some of the following.

Shoreditch

This area of London is immediately to the northeast of the City of London’s Roman and medieval boundary, which you may circumnavigate on the Gatwick Airport transfers. It’s part of famed "East End" and in the 19th and for much of the 20th century it was regarded as poverty-stricken and deprived. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries it was a great centre for the French Huguenots (Protestants) who fled religious persecution in their own country. They quickly established lace-making and other businesses and the area became relatively profitable. Explore the streets and you’ll find some incredibly well-preserved 18th and early 19th century terraced houses and some lovely churches that are partly their legacy. Today the area is considered very desirable but also slightly alternative.

Wapping

This is also part of the East End, but in an area directly on the Thames. Just stand facing Tower Bridge on the Thames with your back to The Tower itself and walk along the river for about 5-10 minutes and you’ll be there. In the 18th and 19th centuries this was arguably the most dangerous part of London and, even within living memory, the police would only patrol the streets in groups. Those days are long gone, however, and today the area has some trendy properties, marinas and restaurants/pubs. More interestingly, it has some ancient pubs with associations to river pirates and executions by drowning (The Prospect of Whitby), and some very interesting architecture along the river front. There are also some great views across the river.

Aldgate

As the name suggests, this was once one of the city’s Roman and medieval fortified gates, though it has now long gone. Architecturally, it’s not hugely interesting - being a large road junction - but it does represent an important boundary line between The City proper and the East End. Take a walk eastwards, along either the Commercial or Mile End Roads, and once you pass some slight corporate overspill buildings you’ll encounter colourful shops and restaurants of Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin, where you'll see some eclectic and unusual products. Interestingly, this is part of a long continuity. From the mid-19th to mid-20th century much of this area was occupied by Eastern European Jewish shops or those of Chinese immigrants.

Get around

The regular Gatwick Airport transfers to London mean that you can be out and about exploring in no time. While you should, of course, see all the iconic sights, try to visit some of the more out-of-the-way ones as well. Your Gatwick Airport transfers driver is a perfect "insider" to quiz on possible attractions so make the most of your time on the way to your accommodation.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Gatwick airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.