East London Antiques Walking Tour

We’ll begin our day at Spitalfields Antiques Market, where you’ll have plenty of time to browse a lively mix of stalls offering everything from vintage ceramics and objets d’art to collectables, jewellery, homeware, fashion, and art.

From there, we’ll take a scenic walk through some of East London’s most charming neighbourhoods—Arnold Circus, Columbia Road, Broadway Market, London Fields, Wilton Way, and Chatsworth Road—stopping at over 10 of the area’s best antique and vintage homeware shops, including a few that will open by appointment especially for us.

Having lived in East London for over twenty years, I know where the hidden gems are—shops that are easy to miss, and the best times to visit them. This tour is designed to save you hours of research and legwork: no more showing up to closed shops or wondering which ones are worth your time. I’ve carefully curated the route so you’ll discover a rich variety of finds, from different time periods and parts of the world—ranging from suitcase-sized treasures to larger furniture pieces (most of which can be shipped across the UK and internationally).

We’ll take a lunch break at Hackney City Farm, where the café serves reasonably priced seasonal dishes (starting from £6.50) —think homemade soups, sandwiches, and salads.

Those opting for the half day tour, should expect to walk around 2 miles (about 4,000 steps) and those opting for the extended tour should expect to walk around 6.5 miles (about 14,000 steps), so comfortable shoes are a must.

To keep the experience relaxed and personal, group sizes are limited to between 2 and 8 people.

Good to Note:

• Bring cash (often preferred, and helpful for bargaining)
• Pack an empty tote bag (not all vendors provide bags)
• The cost of lunch isn't included in the ticket price — but you’re more than welcome to bring along a packed lunch and enjoy it in the park.
• Don't forget weather-appropriate gear (umbrella, sunscreen, layers, etc.)
• This is a tour focused on antique and vintage homeware (not vintage fashion)
• The Half Day Tour will finish at around 13:00 on Hackney Road
• The Extended Tour will finish around 16:30 in Clapton and includes an additional six shops.

Tour Reviews:

Amy, Essex: "I loved Liz’s tour, I really enjoyed seeing parts of East London I’d never been to and we had a good mix of shops to look at, some more high end antiques and others smaller vintage pieces at affordable prices."

Jess, London: "It was magical, so fun to explore some places I hadn't been to before and I picked up some treasures! I really had a blast, and met some lovely people too."

Nina, London: "Liz's tour was fantastic. Exactly what I'd hoped for! She's knowledgeable, friendly and adaptable. I'd recommend not only for those new to the city/area but also London locals (like me), as she took us to a whole bunch of vintage/antique hidden gems I'd have never found or considered on my own. She's clearly a seasoned local - knew all the shop owners and some were open for our appointment only. Thank you Liz!"

Ursula, Kent: "It was such a great experience. I would highly recommend it."

Info: Arrive early to grab a pastry and a hot drink from % Arabica or one of Spitalfields’ local cafés. We'll gather and get ready to set off at 10:00 sharp.

Info: Wander through a vibrant mix of antique and vintage stalls. From mid-century ceramics to curiosities you didn’t know you needed.

Info: We’ll wind our way through some of East London's most charming streets, popping into hand-picked antiques and vintage homeware shops along the way. Half Day ticket holders will end the day here.

Info: Take a break at this relaxed city oasis. Enjoy lunch (starting from £6.50), with time to chat and recharge before the afternoon exploration.

Info: We'll continue exploring the best of East London’s antique and vintage offerings—more shops, more finds, and maybe that perfect piece you didn’t pick up earlier.

Host or Publisher Liz Beardsell