East London Heritage Trails

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, 2008

The Heritage of London Trust, supported by the Borough of Tower Hamlets, are planning a weekend to draw attention to the wealth of interesting historic buildings in East London, many of them little known and rarely open to the public.

An illustrated trail guide, East London Heritage Trails, available from September 1st, will include information about the buildings and their neighbourhoods, with maps and directions.

Guided walks will also be arranged over the weekend: details of these will be available in the trail guide. Most of the buildings will be open on Saturday and Sunday,10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Those taking part will include:
St. George’s German Lutheran Church, Alie Street, Aldgate (a rare 18th century interior, pictured left); St. John, Bethnal Green, (church by Sir John Soane, pictured right); The Congregation of Jacob Synagogue (unusual painted decoration); the Tower of London; St. Dunstan’s and All Saints, Stepney Green (fascinating maritime and tomb monuments, pictured below left); Wilton’s Music Hall (an exceptional Victorian interior, Sunday only, pictured top right); Queen Mary College, University of London, (‘People’s Palace’ Library); Museum of Childhood) Christ Church, Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs (fine Victorian fittings), and many others.

You can dowload the trail guide and maps by clicking on the links below. However, if you would like to receive a free copy of the guide, please send a stamped (66pence), self addressed envelope size DL (8.5 ins x 4.5 ins.) or A5 to: The Heritage of London Trust, 38 Ebury Street, London, SW1W OLU. The guide book will also be available to pick up from larger libraries across London, and from many libraries and public venues in the City and Tower Hamlets, or from the Heritage of London Trust offices from the beginning of September. To learn more about opening times for participating buildings, lectures, guided walks and events that will take place over the weekend of September 13-14th, please click on the link below. E-mail Tara at the Trust for further details. We want to encourage as many people as possible to come and explore East London, so please tell all your work colleagues, friends and family! CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE TRAIL GUIDE AND TRAIL MAPS!                                                               

**** NEW TOURS ADDED - if you would like to explore the Velho and Nuevo Jewish Cemeteries in Mile End, there will be special tours at 10:30am and 2:30pm on Saturday, September 13th. Meet at the clock tower in front of the Queen's Building, Queen Mary College, Mile End Road / St Anne's Limehouse will now be able to open the interior of the church, which is currently under restoration / Jonathan Nichols, Conservation officer at Tower Hamlets, will be on hand at St Dunstan's Stepney Green on Saturday, September 13th at 10am to talk about St Dunstan and the church ****