Whitechapel London Is It Safe?
Whitechapel London: Whitechapel has arguably quite a dark and somber history, with this area of London terrorized by the likes of ‘Jack the Ripper’ and the cruelty inflicted upon its most famous resident, the ‘Elephant Man’. Thankfully, it’s murky past has long since gone. Nowadays, it’s one of London’s fastest-changing areas that’s so much more than ‘just another neighborhood’ in the city.
From its historic, working-class heritage, its sizeable Jewish population, the influence of Commonwealth residents to (let’s not forget) a pretty disproportionate amount of hipsters that now call this area of London home.
Like many other London neighborhoods, Whitechapel has become an exciting melting pot to explore the city’s culture, art, design, and food… and all within a short walk from the shiny skyscrapers of Bank and Tower Bridge. Take a look at the top spots to visit in Whitechapel.
What area is Whitechapel London?
Whitechapel is a built-up inner-city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London. It is located 3.4 miles (5.5 km) east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street, and Cavell Street on the east, and Commercial Road on the south.
Is Whitechapel in London safe?
London is very safe except for a few areas where tourists wouldn’t go anyway. It’s also pretty crowded during the day and at night with people coming home/going to work/going out at all hours. No cause for concern. Yes, it’s safe, and it’s perfectly fine to walk around in the evenings.
Why is Whitechapel famous?
For many people throughout the world, the London district of Whitechapel is known for only one thing – the 1888 rampage of notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper. He is, arguably, the most famous killer of all time.
Secrets Of London Whitechapel
Purpose-built to a contemporary aesthetic, The Whitechapel stands on the original grounds of a textile manufacturing company once owned by five brothers. Inspired by our site’s industrial past, we have also referenced specific iconic elements, which are woven into the fabric of the hotel design. There are a total of 27 bedrooms available at The Whitechapel, including premier singles, doubles, and twins plus eight superior Executive twin and two magnificent King rooms. The Whitechapel also offers an exclusive Penthouse Suite and a further four boutique-style One Bedroom Apartments designed for executives, creatives, and the leisure visitor seeking the perfect in-town, life-style experience with a luxury designer touch.
Whitechapel is a very affordable area, yet very convenient to reach virtually any part of central London and the east, thanks to its vicinity to the city and the many tube lines that allow you to reach Canary Wharf, the southeast, the Olympic village, the wapping area, the nightlife of Old Street and Shoreditch in a matter of minutes.
Whitechapel is such a vibrant area and constantly evolving. I love that you can walk to some of the best parts of East London – Victoria Park, Columbia Road Market, and Shoreditch are all so close. Some beautiful old buildings, great pubs, and only a short tube ride into the center of the town make it a really great place to live.
Whitechapel Secrets Of London
Step back in time and experience one of the original Jack the Ripper Tours that happen most evenings in Whitechapel. Join forces with a Victorian police force and members of the Victorian London to try and solve one of the most infamous serial killer cases in London’s history!
1.) Chomp on delicious food at Tayyabs
Tayyabs was founded some 40 years ago in the very area it still occupies. Creating some of the finest Punjabi cuisine this restaurant is a haven for food enthusiasts from far and wide. Tayyabs food is also reasonably priced with a main meal costing around £6 to £9. This, alongside its delicious cuisine makes Tayyabs a very popular destination for Londoners, particularly on the weekends!
One of their signature (and Moorish) dishes is the Dhal Gosht, made with the finest lentils, lamb, chili, garlic, and masala. Yum!
2.) Discover one of London’s most iconic galleries
Reopened in 2009, The Whitechapel Gallery is one of London’s most prized art galleries. Though much smaller than the Tate Modern or National Gallery, the Whitechapel Gallery presents some of the most pioneering and exciting contemporary art from around the world.
In the early 20th century this gallery posted some of the more fringe artists who have now become known throughout the world. The gallery even housed some of Picasso’s work back in 1938. The gallery has built its name and reputation of being one of the most forward-thinking galleries in the world!
3.) Discover the East London Mosque
Another amazing experience to have in Whitechapel is to visit the East London mosque. East London mosque is integral to the makeup of Whitechapel and is a reminder of how beautifully diverse this area is.
Top tip: Check out their website to find particular days where you can tour the mosque and learn more about its history within Whitechapel.
Whitechapel London 1888
Between 1888 and 1891, London’s East End was the scene of various brutal murders that remain to be unsolved to this very day.
All of the victims were prostitutes, all took place relatively close to each other (in the districts of Whitechapel, Aldgate, Spitalfields, and the City of London), and all are believed to have been committed by one man. And although his identity has baffled historians and experts for over a century, today he’s known as the world’s most infamous (and unidentified) serial killer: Jack The Ripper.
Because Whitechapel was (unfortunately) considered to be the epicenter of these murders, to live in Whitechapel around the time when Jack The Ripper was stalking his next prey must have been a very dark time indeed.
From constantly looking over your shoulder when walking around the streets at night, or eye-balling each and every person who was strolling past, one can’t even begin to imagine how truly terrifying it must have been to be living in Whitechapel while Jack The Ripper roamed the streets.
But Jack The Ripper wasn’t the only worry the Whitechapel residents had on their minds during the time of the Whitechapel Murders…
By the late 19th century, London was the largest capital city on the planet and the center of the British empire. Queen Victoria had already been on the throne for over 50 years, and the now-famous Victorian lifestyle in London was in full swing.
By 1888, London’s West End was going through a massive renovation with new music and concert halls, restaurants, and hotels propping up on nearly every corner. London’s East End, on the other hand, seemed like a world away from the “posh” areas of Chelsea, Westminster, and Marylebone.
Stretching between Aldgate and Spitalfields in the west, to the Mile End in the east, Whitechapel was the worst district in London’s East End and was considered a “no-go zone” for those living in London’s other boroughs.
…And this was all before Jack The Ripper came along.
By the late 1800s, around 900,000 people called London’s East End their home, with a quarter of a million of its inhabitants being based in Whitechapel. The area was overcrowded and littered with a crime, and the working, living, and sanitation conditions for those who lived in the area were horrendous (and that’s putting it lightly).
Whitechapel’s mazes of roads, alleyways, and courtyards were only lit by a single gas lamp making the streets incredibly dark, and sheep and cattle were often herded through the streets, leaving trails of excrement behind them. Not only that, residents would often throw their raw sewage into the streets, so the wafts of smells drifting through the area would have been unbearable.
Many of the local residents were foreign immigrants with little or no money and education, and would often work for hours on end just to make ends meet. If they were lucky, some of the local men managed to find work in the docks, while others found work in various shops and factories where the hours were long, the work was hard, and the pay was low.
Whitechapel London Jack The Ripper
You wouldn’t know it from visiting Whitechapel these days, but this used to be one of the dodgiest parts of London. Go back in time just a few decades and Whitechapel was the heart of the East End of London, once known for poverty and unsavory behavior.
These were the streets where Jack the Ripper stalked his victims.
It was where low-class workers found employment on the nearby docks and factories.
It was where immigrants, arriving in England with almost nothing, made their new homes.
But now? Well, Whitechapel these days still has reminders of those days (and I’ll mention them shortly), but this part of the East End has become the domain of the cool Londoners.
When you’re thinking about the things to do in Whitechapel, it’s all about street art, the trendy cafes, the hip bars, and the vintage shops.
You see, the ‘poor’ workers and the ‘poor’ immigrants have been joined by the ‘poor’ artists. And it’s this wonderful mix of cultures and creativity that has made Whitechapel one of the best parts of London.
