Old Jewish Walking Tour with Gavin - Brilliant!

"I went on the "Old Jewish Quarter" walk with Gavin, and it was brilliant. The walk was so interesting, and Gavin is a wonderful guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the subject, was funny and engaging, and made the walk come alive.

I would really recommend this tour with Gavin!"

TripAdvisor: Review of London's Old Jewish Quarter

Jewish London Walking Tours

London Beigels

Sandy's Row

Old Street

London Beigels

1/7

On Jewish London Walking Tours, I trace the history of London’s Jewish community in the East End of London. Tales that embrace the poverty of the pogrom refugees and the glittering success of the Rothschilds; the eloquence of Prime Minister Disraeli and the spiel of the Petticoat Lane stallholders; Set amid the alleys and back streets of colourful Spitalfields and Whitechapel, it’s a tale of synagogues and sweatshops, Sephardim and soup kitchens.

One of the highlights is visiting the historic Bevis Marks synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the United Kingdom in continuous use, built in 1701.

In recent years the area has been regenerated and it has become one of London's hippest and most vibrant areas.

Duration: Half day tour

Availability: Sundays to Fridays

Key Attractions on Jewish London walking tours:

The Jewish Soup Kitchen: Built in the 1850s to combat poverty, this building stands as a testament to community solidarity and support.
Brick Lane: Once the epicentre of Jewish life in the East End, Brick Lane is known for its koffeeklatsches, historic bakeries, and classic Jewish treats like beigels and salt beef.
Bevis Marks Synagogue: The oldest synagogue in the UK, serving the Sephardic community since 1701. It is a Grade I listed building and the only synagogue in Europe that has held services for over 300 years.
Memorials and Plaques: Throughout the district, small plaques and discreet memorials pay tribute to local heroes, Holocaust victims, and ordinary residents whose stories testify to both suffering and survival.
Sandy’s Row Synagogue: Founded by Dutch Jews in 1854, this synagogue is the oldest Ashkenazi house of worship still in use in London.

Highlights of Jewish London walking tours:

Visit the historic Bevis Marks Synagogue, built in 1701 (Re-opening to visitors in 2026).
Walk along the famous Petticoat Lane Market (Sundays only) famous for its schmutter and spiel.
See the Old Jewish Soup Kitchen once feeding the Ashkenazi Jews fleeing the pogroms of the late 19th century.
Hear about the people born and bred in the area who out of the poverty of the East End were to influence the world of fashion and theatre.
Pass old synagogues, shops and the last old Jewish business in Brick Lane.
Hear the reason why the East End was a centre of immigration for many different groups over the centuries.
Let me share some of my families stories growing up in an area that was described as a place that you didn't live, but survived!

Why not combine this tour with a Street Art or Food Tour, which is close to the area. Or alternatively, head over to a The Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels and hear all about the imprisonments, torture and executions that took place in the gruesome castle!

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