Historic Whitechapel Walking Tour: Uncovering the Hidden Gems of East London (4K)

Join me on a journey through the streets of Whitechapel, one of London's most vibrant and storied areas. Our East London walking tour begins at Petticoat Lane, a bustling market dating back to the 1600s now known for its lively atmosphere and diverse range of goods. From there, we'll make our way to Wentworth Street once the heart of the Jewish East End and still a weekday market and centre of textile shops.
As we continue our walk, we'll visit Commercial Street, where we'll see Toynbee Hall, a social reform centre that has played a crucial role in the development of the area. From there, we'll head to East Tenter Street, where we'll see the impressive St George's German Church dating from 1720.
Next, we'll make our way to Commercial Road then to the site of the original White Church that gives Whitechapel its name. From there, we'll visit the iconic Whitechapel Bell Foundry, a historic business that has been casting bells since the 1570s and the site of Whitechapel Fort, one of London's Civil War defences. Finally, we'll end our tour at the Whitechapel Mount, located next to the London Hospital.
Throughout our walk, we'll delve into the rich history and culture of Whitechapel, learning about the fascinating sites and stories that have shaped this vibrant neighbourhood.
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Music
Endurance - Aerian
Of Virtue - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
The Dawning - Anna Dager
The Haunted Concert Hall - Luella Gren
Why Is She Crying_ - Luella Gren
from Epidemic Sound
Image credits
The newly built London Hospital in 1753, showing part of Whitechapel Mount to the west with trees and a house
The London Hospital, Whitechapel: seen from the northern side of the Whitechapel Road. Wood engraving, after an engraving of c.1753. Iconographic Collections Keywords: Institutions
wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/... Gallery: wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/... Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-04-05): wellcomecollection.org/works/... CC-BY-4.0
The London Hospital, Whitechapel: seen from the northern side of the Whitechapel Road. Wood engraving, after an engraving of c.1753. Iconographic Collections Keywords: Institutions
Whitechapel Mount according to an 1801 drawing,[1] with the London Hospital to the left
Unknown author - Illustrated London News, 28 April 1862
Maps:
Open Street Map “© OpenStreetMap contributors” using data available under the Open Database Licence
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[@danspencer862]

John. I only discovered this channel about five months ago and I’ve had so much pleasure watching the back catalogue. I’ve been through some hard times lately and these films just take me away from all worries and troubles and transform me to another world, there so calming and engaging and walking has now become one of my best hobbies, thank you so much John.

[@welshhibby]

Hope you have a great 2023 Dan !

[@brendawordsworth9232]

I was at the London Hospital from 1969 to 1973 training as a nurse and living in the nurses homes in the streets behind the hospital. We used to pop across the Whitechapel Road to Kossof's bakery for fresh poppy seed bread, which we would demolish with half a pound of butter! Oh, and their cheescake too! Fantastic! Brings back many memories, although a lot of the streets I used to walk arond look unrecognisable, interesting to see the Outpatients' Department looks unchanged though, at least from the outside!

[@jasonantigua6825]

That’s a lovely story Brenda!

[@JW-yt7lr]

Sunday mornings down Petticoat Lane and onto Brick Lane with my Dad . He bred and sold Canaries down there , a family hobby going back to the Hugenot silk weavers of the East End from who we descend . In the winter it was so cold we used to get hot Sarspirella from a coffee stall on the market . John , you never disappoint . Thanks for the memories.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much for sharing that

[@missj.d9187]

Me too but with my Nan. The rest of my family run market stalls down Roman Road market. We originate from the Hugenots too so you never know we could be distant relatives. Sad how it's changed so much I'm grateful we got to see it in it's heyday. We were all mainly from Stepney but moved over to Bow. Lots of love to any true East Londoner's out there we are a dying breed ❤

[@jog1546]

Oh my word, the excitement of getting a tiny glimpse of Ann’s Place, off Wentworth Street, where my great great grandmother Alice was born in 1889 ❤❤❤

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Fantastic Jo!!

[@davidsmith2356]

Great blog John, My distant family spent around 200 years in the Whitechapel/Hoxton area and gradually moved east to Bow, Mile End, Forest Gate, and eventually Woodford and Chigwell . My mother died in the Royal London Hospital in Decmber 1958. I have a very strong draw to that area, I didn't know why until I researched my family history. My Great Grandfather had a workshop in Shoreditch New Inns Street EC2 he was a member of a livery company and had the freedom, he was a Drawing Room cabinet maker as were several generations, My Greeat Great Great Grandmother had a music business in the Bow Road.. Its changed so much from when I was a kid, it used to have its own smell like the tube trains.

[@brianjrichman]

My Dad was born and raise during the 1920's in Welclose Square when it was a Jewish Tenement. My mother was a little girl living above her fathers Tobacconist shop on the south side of Southwark Bridge all until WWII and the blitz. What you say about change and new sights is especially true and for London.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for sharing that Brian - I’ll be going back down there soon

[@harrybongo2002]

Still home to the famous Wilton’s music hall. My mum grew up in neighbouring Swedenborg Square in the 40s. I myself also grew up ‘in the manor’.

[@brianjrichman]

@@harrybongo2002 Outstanding.

[@jamesjameson4566]

"change" I can thing of a few phrases to better describe this gentle unassuming word

[@arriesone1]

@@jamesjameson4566 It saddens me so much what London has lost.

[@AliB102]

Thank you John. I love this series of walks where you bring the old London back to life. Wishing you health, happiness, good luck and great walks in 2023!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Ali

[@andrewhead6267]

Brings back memories of Sundays before Christmas visiting the area. Dad worked for the Electricity generating Board and had keys to substations. So we parked up in one and walked from Liverpool Street station to Petticoat Lane, the markets, Kossofs for bundles of rolls and bread. Club Row market to see the animals for sale. Walking around the remains of my Grandfathers beloved Bishopsgate Goods Railway Station. No visit would be complete without popping into to the Houndsditch Warehouse - The Selfridges of the East End.

[@malcolmwinter6797]

The shop that John Merrick ( The Elephant Man ) was exhibited still exists in Whitechapel Road. It's number was 123, now renumbered 259..

[@RedcoatsReturn]

The Bell Foundry was marvellous… I hope the building is rescued…its part of history 🙏🏻 Happy New Year John 😊

[@MartinJames389]

I hope so, too, but not as a "bijou hotel". A museum would be a better use for the building.

[@moisturisedgnome1181]

@@MartinJames389 more like more tenements for immigrants

[@MartinJames389]

@@moisturisedgnome1181 Since it's Grade II listed it can't be what you call, in quaint old language, "tenements". Who do you mean by "immigrants"? Are you denigrating refugees from horrors you've never seen and can't imagine?

[@moisturisedgnome1181]

@@MartinJames389 haha didn't take long did it

[@jasonantigua6825]

@@moisturisedgnome1181never does! Haha

[@LTMM_]

I work in Whitechapel. I rode near the Tower of London and the old Roman Wall. Instantly thought of you and this channel. Happy New Year.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Letago

[@gaylereid8264]

@@JohnRogersWalks Happy, Prosperous, Enlightening New Year, John ❣️🫵🤟🙌

[@keithdart9254]

Hi John, my dad worked as a tea blender in John fisher Street in the 60s and on Saturday's he used to take me with him to work from Battersea to aldgate East and then walking down towards the river and under the railway to John fisher Street. Brings back so many memories thank you

[@jasonantigua6825]

My friends uncle was a caretaker in some flats on John Fisher Street

[@bnpandsc]

Fascinating walk to end 2022 and kick off the 2023 season, this area simply oozes history..I look forward to your next walk(s) regaling tales from the Whitechapel streets. Thank you John !

[@catieoates1726]

What a stellar walk, I look forward to more in this series. Absolute tragedy that the bell factory closed!

[@WOLFROY47]

they can use the scrap waste from the bell casting, and call it, a henry moor statue, you could add, an unmade bed, a wire basket for paper waste, and, any left over paint slung at a large piece of canvas ? that they are calling art these days ? ? ? my hero is the guy that put different sorts of excrement, into glass cases, and when he won the first prize from the arts council, he then, released a statement to the press, that said ? i told you that they wouldn't know the difference between art and shit. the connection ? they take the oldest continualy running business inthe city of london and just dispose of it, and what will they use the factory space for ? another towering termites building ? more profi9t for someone, and screw peoples jobs and history. yep i am expressing IRONY

[@AnthonyHatfull]

The deli` in Wentworth Street was I think Marks Deli`. In the 60`s and early 70`s we would queue on Sunday morning for freshly cooked lutkas. In Wentworth St was Jackie Braffmans dress shop. He made a fortune in the Rag Trade, but loved to hold court Sunday mornings, and auction of unsold stock. Other traders would buy from him. He craved publicity, and featured in the film A Kid For Two Farthings. He would "obtain" tickets to posh events, and have a photographer on hand then he would go up and put his arm round an unsuspecting celeb` then the snapper would do his stuff. The photos would be plastered all over the walls of his shop. I remember a snap of him with Mohamed Ali who looked as surprised as he did when Our `Enery knocked him down.

[@lizstevenson7801]

Its been many years since I walked down these streets and I must admit I never recognised Petticoat Lane as it is now. I can remember stopping at Tubby Issacs on many occations for jellied eels or bowl of cockles in my younger time. It all looks so different with all the glass skyscraper buildings. The history of this area is amazing, I never tire of listening to the stories. Thank you so much. Wishing you and your family a wonderful healthy, happy new year. 💕🇦🇺

[@jamesjameson4566]

We've been replaced, that's what you can't put your finger on

[@TracyPicabia]

It is a memory lane for me too. I found John's images of it now, the street furniture and traffic signage, quite painful to look at

[@jamesjameson4566]

@@TracyPicabia the street furniture and the traffic signage? nothing else a bit amiss

[@wasATsea]

@@jamesjameson4566 everything is amiss. The double yellow line, the towering modern architecture in the background, the crude signage between the shops and the rooms above them, the depopulated atmosphere of christmas eve....

[@jamesjameson4566]

@@wasATsea Christmas doesn't live around there

[@williamrobinson7435]

Happy New Year to you and all your family and team, John. I recall a chat many years ago with a gent who was a retired town planner, I would bump into him in S. Ken and we'd have a pint. He was of the opinion that the nature of the substrate in Whitechapel was such that the bomb damage suffered there went further than was superficially apparent, and that many buildings had to be demolished because thier footings had been undermined, leading to the perhaps greater changes to the area than one might expect.. I do hope the bell foundry site can be preserved in some form. Thanks for another fascinating film, a great start to 2023!🌟👍🎉

[@stephanbach1652]

I took a tour of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in about 2005. I’m so glad I did.

[@indepthcardetailing2254]

Great Video as always. I used to live at Denning Point until 1995, backs onto old castle street. I often go back to take a look around the old place. Great memories.

[@highpath4776]

Always felt like I would not have minded living there, but were the bins always full of old tellies in the 1980s !

[@kyran333]

@@highpath4776 I live at denning point, it has greatly improved since then lol, the bins have some modern tvs occasionally 😂

[@jchanning72]

I worked on Aldgate High Street between 2014-19 and spent many lunchtimes wandering the streets and marveling at the history. As you know there are so many things to cover, including a lot of buildings demonstrating Victorian philanthropy.

[@jamesjameson4566]

Did you marvel at the lack of English people, or was your head in the clouds

[@bobbybigboyyes]

Do you remember the great old English actor David Kossof, or his son Paul Kossof who was in the band 'Free' who had lots of hits in the 70's. ? Gotta love Will Self with his dry humour. Do you remember seeing him in the many great 'Grumpy Old Men' tv series that the BBC did for years ? I was watching some of them yesterday. The actor John Stride is a family relation. Petticoat Lane was one of my favourite haunts to visit every Sunday morning as a 16 year old back in 1969, and Aldegate East Station. They should preserve the bell foundry as a museum. It's part of London's history. Interesting video John, Happy New Year mate! 😊

[@MrBestfootforward]

You look so excited by everything around you. What a treat to start my year watching you in Whitechapel. And yes Lord Profumo did indeed volunteer at Toynbee......my brother David was doing legal advice for Peckham Citizens Advice Bureau and Citizens Advice at Toynbee all on top his regular legal work in Shipping Litigation and had meetings with him throught the 1980s , he told me at first he had no idea who Lord Profumo was. David died in 2021 such a loss for us all. He helped so many Londoners with his legal advice .

[@shaunjeffries2628]

The Whitechapel Bell Foundry tour was one of London's finest and its closure and broken historic links has left the city a less rich place. Luckily, we have your videos to plug the cultural gaps. Looking forward to your 2023 output.

[@user-xc8pv4ip2f]

This place has an outstanding atmosphere !

[@markriley4665]

My home turf John. I look forward to more fantastic videos in 2023. Happy New Year!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Mark

[@truebrit3578]

Interesting to see how Whitechapel continues to ‘develop’ - it really is something of a jumble of different buildings and commerce. Back in the late 1980s I was working for an American Bank who occupied 25 Cannon Street, a lovely place to work with St. Paul’s on one side, the Financial Times across the road and on the other side Bank of England offices. It even had a pub on one side of the building (the ‘Dandy Roll’). But as part of a cost saving exercise everyone was moved to a building at 1 Alie Street. That provided quite an experience for City Bankers because at that time it was rather an island of Finance in the middle of the traditional East End. I doubt that anyone considered it a success, other than the Finance people. Eventually a further move was made to Canary Wharf. But with hindsight it was one of the precursors of the City’s move east.

[@effyleven]

《 What a lovely guy, isn't he? I'd love to spend an afternoon, or rather, a whole day, wandering the streets with him. I am sure I am not the only one. Happy New Year to you, John.... and thanks for what you do here.》

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks Effy - Happy New Year

[@sandypearce7302]

Loved watching this video. How times have changed the face of this area where I lived, played and worked. I live abroad now but look forward to seeing more of your historical walks.

[@davy2022]

Although I live in Glasgow I’ve always had a fascination for East London. Such an interesting video!

[@ShotOnDigital]

I lived in Spellman Street in 91, and it is shocking to see how the area has changed. Thanks, John. Lovely work again!

[@davidhumphrey1558]

Really great perspective John. A mix of the new with the history. Thank you for showing it!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure David - glad you enjoyed it

[@daveconyard8946]

Happy new Year, have A Good 2023. Thank's For all Wonderful The Post's. "keep safe"

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Dave - really looking forward to 2023

[@pedallinraw]

These are my top favourite videos John,capturing that older era ....love the old taverns ....🙂👍🏻

[@Jpkjr52]

Been to London 19 times directly from Chicago Love it John in Chicago

[@glenharrison987]

Many happy memories of my old dad who worked for watneys at the man and crossman brewery where sainsbury is now

[@brandondean8060]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year John.. Cannot wait to walk through London 2023 with ya. 🤠

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Brandon - it’s going to be a great 2023

[@brandondean8060]

I'm in hospital now with pneumonia but should be home tomorrow and fighting fit 4 2023. Atleast I had a great view of Downtown Dallas to see our firework/Drone celebration to ring in the new year..

[@mungmungie]

It is fascinating to get a visual sense of this area of London. My family lived farther west, but an unfortunate ancestor, Richard Finch, died in the area and was immediately buried at St. Mary's Whitechapel in 1707. Like almost all of my family who lived and died in London, all trace of their final resting places was erased by the Luftewaffe. The neighbourhood in which I live in Vancouver BC has a tiny high street called Commercial St. I suspect that early settlers may have come from the east end of London, as other street names suggest. One of the streets that intersected Commercial St. was once known as Montegue, and there are a couple of other names in common as well.

[@ashleysgaze]

‘Ripper’ of a walk, John! Terrific insights. Cheers! ❤

[@glenbooth-martin7722]

In the mid eighties I worked in East Mount Street which is to the left of the front of The London Hospital. The company I worked for was a bespoke shoemakers that had previously been located a few doors away from the half moon theatre in Stepney and moved onto an old egg processing building at the end of east mount street which at that time led into the London Hospitals consultants carpark. The private post office underground line runs underneath East mount street although I’m not sure if it is still in use.

[@CaroleMora22]

A wonderful tour as always - Happy New Year!!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Carole

[@sr3d-microphones]

@@JohnRogersWalks Happy new year John, did you get my last email by any chance?

[@hondohsv]

Thank you for this amazing walk! This is my fave area of London, I spend svereal weekend trips there with my Dad until 2017 where we went to London for the last time. Interesting history lesson and images of a quite changing area.

[@santorini8423]

@@World_official64GFY

[@kimrobinson6280]

Brilliant John 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Kim - much appreciated

[@calvinmarkpayne]

I went to City of London Poly at the same site as you John in the early 90s. John Profumo could sometimes be seen in a local pub (I forget which one) having a quiet drink after work, which as a Politics student was a strange experience...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That’s brilliant Calvin - gutted I didn’t know that at the time, my Dad did some work at Clivenden at the time of the scandal. Also studied Politics at City Poly btw

[@michaelwood3099]

Back in the real heartlands of London, got given your book for Christmas which I must confess I'd still not bought for myself.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hope you enjoy it Michael

[@johnreynolds5103]

As a former student at Sir John Cass ISchoo of Art, 've always loved that area, I was lucky enough to be there when it went gentrified.

[@carolives7977]

I've just discovered your vlogs. I started my career at the royal docks working for a ship's stores in Silvertown called international Watts Fincham and finished my career at the London Metropolitan university, initially the London Guildhall when I started at Goulston street. I'm really enjoying binge watching having been born in Stratford and till 2017 still living there. You have opened my eyes to so much that I didn't realise was on my doorstep. Thank you

[@billford5395]

Happy new year to you and the rest of your family how are you celebrating your holidays so far?

[@GWJUK]

We also have the Rack and Tenter pub at Moorgate I was in The Bell the other week, it would seem the6 don’t switch the heating on so you have to drink with your coat on 😂

[@glennparfitt8068]

Great Video John - since my son moved to Wapping a couple of years ago I’ve been exploring the area east of Liverpool st - there is so much history in the area - and once again you’ve helped bring it alive for me.

[@ckSport3000]

Cool video.. ! I'm finally coming to live in the UK. (My #1 life-long bucket list) Curtis, 56, recently retired US Navy. .. Flying next week.. Portsmouth this month, Coventry next month, up to Edinburgh for a month then 3 MONTH walking around London. LOVE your videos John.. thanks.

[@highpath4776]

enjoy your time. we are not much bigger than some US states but a lot packed in.

[@acefeeley7836]

Hope you've had a wonderful holiday season, John. God bless you and your family.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Ace - and the same to you

[@danieladams9950]

Fascinating, particularly about the Civil War earth work..

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Daniel

[@Tony-gv6ty]

Astounding show and narration. Thankyou.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Tony

[@morriganwitch]

Happy New Year to You and Yours xxx

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Morrigan

[@morriganwitch]

@@JohnRogersWalks I ve a good feeling about this year the astrology is really looking hopeful cxx

[@garyclarke5042]

Fascinating, you do bring lost history back to life. Thanks John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Gary

[@martaorduna7857]

An other amazing tour.Thank you so much to teach me about London,Im learning a lot with you,Happy new year from Argentina!!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Marta!!

[@John_C-ng9eu]

I really enjoy your videos! Keep up the great work, ... looking forward to seeing what you come up with next.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks John

[@cheekyllamacreations]

This was amazing John, I thoroughly enjoyed it. So great to see Whitechapel again. Some of my family managed the Whitechapel Bell Foundry for many years. They lived above it and it was so interesting to go there and see how the bells were made. I live in Western Australia now and coincidentally we visited a town here called York and their local church had the Whitechapel Bell Foundry bells and there were photos on the wall of when the bells were installed. I was born in London Hospital and lived in Cable Street, Stepney until I was 6 years old. My Dad had a grocery shop on the corner of Cable and Devonport Streets but sadly when all his customers were re-housed in new developments the people who owed him money “on the slate” moved away without paying him and he went bankrupt. Poor Dad passed away a couple of years later, I think it was the stress of it all.

[@TXMEDRGR]

I appreciate the way your walks can be either country, city, or somewhere in between but all interesting and entertaining. Thank you for all the wonderful videos in 2022, I'm looking forward to your walks in 2023, where ever that may be.

[@annepuffett2025]

Brilliant John happy new year to you and your family

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Anne

[@heatherwhittaker6169]

Thank you John,and a very happy and healthy new year.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

A very happy new year Heather

[@iTomAnks]

So much to see in such a small area of Whitechapel. Happy new year John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Tom

[@LauraValcarcelRodriguez]

Hi John, Happy New Year! Thanks for this video! I work in Aldgate Tower and go for walks at lunch time every day, I think you got the correct development where the remains of the theater were found, however they can be appreciated better from Middlesex St, there is a plaque and even an area on the pavement marking the layout, part of it can be seen through the new building's glass windows, probably entry is allowed too (I have not tried though)

[@billford5395]

Happy new year to you and the rest of your family how are you celebrating your holidays so far?

[@briancox4339]

Great video to start the New year the many dark secrets of Whitechapel worked there for many years in cavel street converting a clothing factory in to offices and many different stories from local folks true or fantasy who knows , but well done John Rogers for another great video.

[@colinmorgan8624]

The P&0 bought a shirt factory off Middlesex street only after they got an agreement that if they turned the back of the building into the front ,as it faced Aldgate church ,it would be classed as EC1.This was necessary as messengers never left the City. When we first moved in whilst the building opposite Lloyds was being built there were still anchor point from the sewing machines in the floor

[@shikunbinui]

My Great Grandparents owned a Shoe Shop (H.L Cohen) on 59 Wentworth st. Kosoff's actually rented their shop from them. Our shoe shop moved later on to Middlesex St. Closed down in the nineties. Thanks for the walks. Wishing you a very Happy New year!

[@mykola_kanyuk]

Happy New Year, John. God bless You and Your family.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Mykola- all the best to you and yours

[@nicetry492]

Happy new year

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year hi hi

[@nicetry492]

@@JohnRogersWalks thank you 😊

[@simonholden1095]

I'm not an academic, but your videos of London are fantastic, very informative, I love the gems the churches, old terraces. Thank you

[@Nick-mq9on]

Wow you have a knack for taking me back in time John. Back in the seventies in my Hippy days I squatted in Fieldgate Mansions for a while the whole area was like a bomb site, hard for me to envision it these days now I'm in my comfortable retirement. Good work.

[@markturner1970]

An area I know well, I once lived in a block close to Sainsburys and my daughter was born in London Hospital and its now an area I deliver around. Happy New Year John.

[@telemachus53]

Like you I did a great walk around Whitechapel, inspired partly by Stephen Berkoff (the actor!) and his Jewish-roots walks around Whitechapel, and also by the fact that my dad worked in Commercial Road. I looked for his office in the shop where he worked but it had long since gone. Highly recommend the Cable Street murals, the strange manhole covers I found and of course Kossov's bakery off Whitechapel road, not far from Stepney Green station. This of course in addition to the wonderful sights you pointed out in the vid. Thanks!

[@smilevideobritain499]

Thank you John. old and new and historic. nice start on NEW YEARS DAY with Cod n chips and you. Thank you

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks SmileVideo

[@paulfitzpatrick3090]

Taught at City Poly in Moorgate in the 80s. Happy Times.

[@ronahart219]

Thanks for this, fascinating! My grandparents lived in Bearsted House Middlesex Street and later in Petticoat Tower. Amazing how the area has changed.

[@NoSugarThanks]

Great video once again John,looking forward to the next one already.Happy New year!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Christian

[@sallypassmore8748]

Happy New Year, John. Crikey hasn't it all changed around 'the lane'! Looking forward to more in this series and the rest of the 2023 walks.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Sally - a Happy New Year to you

[@johndoyle1866]

Used to work in this area very interesting Happy new year

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks John - Happy New Year

[@johndoyle1866]

@@JohnRogersWalks Hi are you planning to do the St Katherines Dock area and the seamens mission

[@waynejacksonofficial]

I Worked And Squatted In And Around Whitechapel Late 90s onwards.. Ever Changing ... Brilliant Memories Come Flooding Home... Thank You John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Wayne

[@highpath4776]

I had too much stuff to squat ! Got a fairly cheap flat out in zone 4 instead.

[@mharixx]

Can’t help but feel a deep underlying sadness watching these at the architectural atrocities we have committed over the centuries.

[@stanbewick2685]

I worked in Whitechapel for 3 years on the then Crossrail project. It was a joint venture and our offices were in the old Post Office building opposite the underground station. Happy days.

[@alltheteam69]

Thank you John. Nothing like the Whitechapel I know working and going out in 1970….. I took little interest then, so enjoying your videos. Always learn something

[@timsmith2279]

Someone upset the left?

[@ianmaddams9577]

Cracking walk. Happy new year John 🎉

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ian - Happy New Year

[@philburdett]

Excellent stuff as always sir...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Phil

[@christopherbutler7588]

Thank you so interesting I work with a chap Mr Harry Brown Who worked in the Whitechapel Bell foundry when he was a young man. His skills came in very handy when he was in the army and had to cast some metal work for a bridge they had Cross a river. One of his stories he told me was saw Gandhi on one of his marches and talking in the park. Happy New year 🎉

[@schlongdaddy]

Altab Ali Park in the early 70s as kids we called it Itchy park because there was so many homeless people there

[@maurice8607]

Used to go there too occasionally but used Weavers Fields much more.

[@schlongdaddy]

@@maurice8607 remember them both well in the 60s & 70s don’t recognise lon Dr on in 2023✌🏻

[@maurice8607]

@@schlongdaddy Slightly further away was Vicky Park. Mainly used it for the lido now sadly gone. What school did you go?

[@schlongdaddy]

@@maurice8607 Hackney Free

[@Ed-kv2vb]

Yes - and didn't the Small Faces' "ItchyCoo Park" refer to it?

[@leeharveydarke]

Happy new year John, looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2023!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy New Year Chapman

[@howarddavies9932]

A great start to inspired walks in 2023 - a great January ‘ pick me up’ - full of such fascinating and inspiring historical connections. Thanks

[@garymepsted9741]

Thanks John. The perfect treat for the start of the new year. All the very best for 2023.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

HNY Gary

[@JohnC2009Edin]

Thanks for the last years videos, and I’m looking forward to the new year! Best wishes!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers John

[@wibblewabblewoo6249]

Wandered around this area in summer. Entrance of Toynbee hall has a lot of interesting historical information, I remember spending a good half hour reading it all!

[@capabilityred3606]

Hi John. Happy new year. Brilliant video. I have lived and worked in the Whitechapel area for much of my life. I recall the Red Lion pub which I think stood on the corner of Leman Street and Aldgate High Street and I think that it was demolished when the Aldgate Barrs shopping and commercial complex was built. That in turn has since been demolished and replaced with even biiger offices! Tubby Issacs certainly did have his stall on the spot you highlighted, he also had a local rival called Barney, the two worked opposite each other but never spoke. Kossoff's certainly had a shop in Middlesex Street and sold brilliant bread pudding. There was also a Jewish restraunt in Aldgate High street near the White Hart pub. I can't remember it's name but it was good for bagels! Keep up the good work.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Brilliant thanks - the restaurant was Blooms, gutted that I never sat in for one of their Salt beef sandwiches.

[@jaaaa364]

I hope you and your family are well John and wishing you a happy new year, I hope you do many more interesting walks into 2023!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Jack

[@attlee1945]

Thanks John. I can spend hours just listening to all the facts and stories in your videos. Looking forward to 2023

[@maggiemitchell4359]

Brilliant walk thank you👍

[@roscowoodward6037]

Love your walks Smiler 👍 stay safe n Happy New Year to you and your family 💐🎉💐🎉💜☮️

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Rosco - long time since I’ve been called Smiler - thanks

[@highpath4776]

I heard Tony Benn speak in Calcutta House It was one of the student society events put on, he spoke a lot of sense in terms of UK and World affairs past and present at that time ( Met his son, Hilary, much later more recently at a Leeds charity he was a patron of )

[@roba7345]

Hi John, just to say that I was really pleased that you focused on other aspects of Whitechapel rather than just the Ripper murders, thank you for another great video. I absolutely adore your channel and all the videos you create and share with us: fascinating and so detailed with little nuggets you simply couldn’t find elsewhere combined with your humour and warmth. Wishing you a very happy new year and I look forward to seeing you on the next walk, wherever that may be!

[@AnthonyHatfull]

My own thoughts about Jack The Ripper was that he was probably an insignificant nobody. After all who ever heard of Peter Sutcliffe, and he murdered twice as many, although people have made lots of money from Ripper theories.

[@yorkyfozzy2867]

​@@AnthonyHatfullkzbin.info/www/bejne/jWmye5eaZ8l7gK8si=t7Wksz5Y5iHDYQzW

[@TodayFreedom]

The Whitechapel Murders are an absolutely crucial element in the history of London. They highlighted centuries of violent poverty and triggered national outrage at the disgusting conditions endured in what was the most powerful city on this planet. Every area “has more to it” than just one event, but there’s no point ignoring the absolutely colossal importance the autumn of 1888 played in London’s history. The tenement clearances in large part stemmed from memories of what happened to those poor women in Whitechapel.

[@JacqTracks]

Thanks!

[@BumblebumBear]

One of the best channels on KZbin…

[@cdeldn2012]

Great video John!

[@TheCinderellaman10]

The Whitechapel mound sounds and looks fascinating. Would of loved to of seen it in the day. Some great insight as always 👍 looking forward to seeing more videos on Whitechapel and the East end

[@kindnesscake2819]

Thank you John 👍 I just came across your channel... wonderfully engaging and very interesting content!