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Your complete area guide, from world-class markets and historic landmarks to free galleries, rooftop gardens and the best reasons to stay in a serviced apartment nearby.
As the gateway to Central London and the East End, Liverpool Street station is more than just one of the capital's busiest transport hubs: it's the front door to a neighbourhood that genuinely has it all. Within a 15-minute walk you'll find some of London's best street food, a 1,000-year-old royal fortress, a rooftop garden in the sky, and contemporary art galleries that punch far above their weight on the global stage.
Whether you're arriving for a short business trip, a city break, or an extended stay, the Liverpool Street area rewards exploration. This guide covers the top attractions, what to expect from each, and why staying in a serviced apartment near Liverpool Street gives you the ideal base to enjoy all of it.
Why Liverpool Street is one of London's best places to stay
Few areas of London balance work and leisure quite as well as Liverpool Street. You're in Zone 1, with direct Tube and Elizabeth line connections to Heathrow, Canary Wharf, and the West End. You're a short walk from Shoreditch's bars and restaurants and a short Tube ride from South Bank and Greenwich. And the neighbourhood itself, spanning the old City, Spitalfields, and Aldgate, is packed with things to see and do.
For business travellers, the area's proximity to the financial district, tech companies around Old Street, and major law and media firms in the City makes it an obvious choice. For leisure visitors, the density of world-class attractions within walking distance is hard to beat anywhere in London.
The Top Attractions, Explored in Depth
These are the five must-visit destinations within easy walking distance of Liverpool Street station, with practical detail for travellers planning their days.
1. The Whitechapel Gallery
For anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art, the Whitechapel Gallery is essential. Founded in 1901 to bring great art to the people of East London, it has since grown into one of the world's most respected platforms for modern and contemporary art, the gallery that gave Picasso's Guernica its UK debut, and first showed Jackson Pollock and Frida Kahlo to British audiences.
Today the Whitechapel hosts a constantly rotating programme of exhibitions, commissions, artist talks and events. Unlike many London galleries, it specialises in spotlighting emerging artists alongside established names, meaning you'll regularly see work here that you won't find anywhere else. The bookshop is exceptional if you're interested in art publications and limited-edition prints.
Entry to the main gallery is free, with ticketed exhibitions usually priced between £10–£16. It's a five-minute walk east from Liverpool Street station along Whitechapel High Street, passing through Aldgate.
2. Old Spitalfields Market
One of London's oldest and most beloved markets, Spitalfields has been trading on the same site since 1638. The Victorian market hall, a magnificent iron-and-glass structure that survived both the Blitz and 1980s redevelopment plans, now houses a brilliant mix of independent fashion designers, vintage sellers, antique dealers, artisan food stalls and street food traders, all under one beautiful roof.
The market operates seven days a week, with the best specialist markets on specific days: Thursday is particularly good for antiques and vintage, while weekends see the highest concentration of independent designers and the liveliest atmosphere. The surrounding streets, Brushfield Street, Lamb Street, and Commercial Street, are lined with some of the best independent restaurants and cafés in East London, making the whole area a great destination for a full morning or afternoon.
Spitalfields is less than five minutes on foot from Liverpool Street station, making it one of the most accessible markets in central London. If you're staying in a serviced apartment nearby with a kitchen, the fresh produce and artisan food stalls are a great way to stock up without resorting to a supermarket.
3. The Tower of London
Few places on earth pack more history into a single square mile than the Tower of London. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has served, over its nearly 1,000-year life, as a royal palace, a prison, an armoury, a treasury and the home of the Crown Jewels, which remain here today and are included in every visit.
The White Tower, the original Norman keep at the centre of the complex, houses one of the finest collections of historical armour in Europe. The Yeoman Warders, the Tower's resident guards, better known as Beefeaters, lead guided tours throughout the day that bring the building's extraordinary and often brutal history vividly to life. Highlights include the Traitors' Gate, the Bloody Tower (where the Princes in the Tower are said to have been held), and the ravens whose presence, legend has it, protects the kingdom itself.
The Tower is around a 15-minute walk from Liverpool Street, or a single stop on the Circle or District line from Tower Hill. Pre-booking tickets online is strongly recommended, especially in peak season, and typically saves several pounds over gate prices.
4. The Sky Garden
London's highest public garden sits on the 35th, 36th and 37th floors of 20 Fenchurch Street, the distinctive "Walkie Talkie" building that's become one of the most recognisable additions to the City skyline. The Sky Garden is free to visit, though pre-booking is essential as timed tickets are released three weeks in advance and go quickly.
The space itself is genuinely spectacular: a vast, light-filled atrium with tiered landscaped gardens, tropical planting, and 360-degree panoramic views taking in the Shard, St Paul's, Canary Wharf and the Thames. There are two bars and a restaurant if you want to extend your visit — the afternoon tea here is a popular treat for a special occasion, but you're under no obligation to spend anything beyond the time it takes to book your free ticket.
The Sky Garden is around a 20-minute walk from Liverpool Street, or accessible in about 10 minutes from Bank or Monument underground stations. It's best visited on a clear day when the views are at their sharpest, early evening, when the city lights begin to come on, is particularly magical.
5. Bank of England Museum
Housed within the Bank of England's own headquarters on Threadneedle Street, this free museum tells the story of one of the world's oldest central banks, founded in 1694 , and its pivotal role in shaping the global financial system. It's a surprisingly fascinating visit even for those with no particular interest in economics.
The collection includes original banknotes dating back to the 17th century, gold bars worth millions (which visitors can actually lift, subject to a security check), documents relating to the financing of wars and the abolition of the slave trade, and interactive displays explaining how modern monetary policy works. The museum is set within a reconstructed version of the Bank's original stock office, which is a stunning piece of late 18th-century architecture in its own right.
Bank station is a 10-minute Tube ride from Liverpool Street on the Central line. The museum is free and open Monday to Friday, it doesn't operate at weekends, making it ideal for business travellers who want to fill a lunch hour or early afternoon with something cultural.
Visitor Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Area
Whether this is your first visit to East London or you're back for another stay, a few local tips make the difference between a good trip and a great one.
Transport
Liverpool Street serves the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, plus the Elizabeth line (Crossrail). An Oyster card or contactless card is always quicker than a paper ticket.
Book Ahead
Sky Garden tickets, Tower of London entry and popular restaurants in the area all benefit from advance booking — especially at weekends and during school holidays.
Walk where you can
Most of the attractions in this guide are connected by pleasant walking routes through some of London's most characterful streets. The riverside walk from Tower Bridge west to the City is particularly good.