East London, Subregion in London, United Kingdom
East London is a large subregion of London, east of the City, covering areas such as Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Waltham Forest. Old brick buildings and modern apartment blocks stand side by side, giving the area a layered look that reflects decades of change.
East London was for centuries the heart of the city's docklands, with wharves and yards handling goods from around the world and employing thousands of workers. When the docks closed in the late 20th century, the area began a major shift, with warehouses and factories converted into homes, galleries, and offices.
East London is best explored on foot, since walking between neighborhoods is the most natural way to get a feel for how the area changes block by block. Trains and buses connect the area well to central London and to each other, making it easy to move between different parts without a car.
Many of the most talked-about street murals in East London were painted on walls that were scheduled for demolition, making them accidental short-term galleries. Some of these works have since become landmarks in their own right and are now regular stops on walking tours of the area.
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