20+ Things To Do Near Liverpool Street | Quirky & Fun Activities
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But it’s not all business on offer: markets, museums and eateries mean that there are plenty of fun things to do near Liverpool Street, London.
I spent my intern year travelling through Liverpool Street station to get to Essex. I got used to bolting for my train while dodging other commuters without spilling hot coffee on myself. A life skill everyone should have.
It gave me a chance to explore some of the amazing places and activities in Liverpool Street. Visiting Liverpool Streets is one of the top things to do in East London.
Yes, the streets are always bustling with workers hurrying by, and If you look down the road, you’ll spot glass high-rises, including the iconic Gherkin, alongside converted Victorian townhouses.
And as you move out of the tube station, onto the street and into the surrounding area, you are embarking on a walking tour of London’s history.
Touching memorials to war victims at Liverpool Street Station give way to the skyscrapers that have come to represent London’s cityscape.
Things To Do in Liverpool Street, London
Liverpool Street is one of the busiest parts of London. The main attraction is the tube station with its slew of evocative memorials.
1. Liverpool Station, London
Liverpool Street Station is where you’ll likely start your exploration of this bustling area. An attractive commuter station, thanks to its many monuments and stunning design.
The station is one of the four railways on the British version of the board game, Monopoly!
The station first opened in 1864 and is Britain’s third busiest terminal, with 64 million commuters passing through every year.
You can also catch a train from here to other UK regions, like Cambridge and Suffolk, adding to the bustling atmosphere.
Apart from taking in the environment, you’ll want to admire the architecture. The vaulted iron ceilings are a throw-back to the advent of rail travel, while the glass roof and walkway add a contemporary touch.
2. Kindertransport -The Arrival Memorial
If you are looking for things to do near Liverpool Street Station, visiting the poignant monument should be a perfect detour.
It recognises a rescue mission the UK took part in before World War II. ‘Kindertransport’, the operation’s name, aimed to rescue Jewish children from Nazi Germany and other Nazi-occupied territories.
Britain took nearly 15000 Jewish and non-Jewish children from these areas, housing them in foster homes and hostels.
The artist behind the Kindertransport monument is Frank Meisler, one of the children rescued in this mission.
He made five memorial sculptures, and they are on display along the route he took to survival.
The first one is in Poland, but the one you see today in Liverpool Street station is the fifth and final sculpture.
It is titled ‘Kindertransport – The Arrival’ since the children entered their foster homes from Liverpool Street station. The statue is a group of five young children with suitcases newly-arrived in the UK.
It’s a powerful reminder of World War II’s tragedy — many of these children never saw their parents again, as many died in Holocaust concentration camps.
3. The Arcade in Liverpool Street
Before shopping malls, there were arcades covered passageways with shops on either end.
Visiting the Arcade is one of the best quirky things to do near Liverpool Street. It’s so beloved that 6000 people successfully petitioned the government not to demolish it in the 1980s.
The stores you’ll find in the Arcade cater to city workers and residents: there’s a barber, florist, jeweller, and a leather repair store.
However, several quaint eateries are selling Japanese soup, halloumi and chocolates. Come by around noon to experience the whole hustle and bustle of city workers running lunchtime errands.
Note: You’ll pass through The Arcade as you exit Liverpool Street Station. The passage opens onto Liverpool Street and Old Broad Street on either end.
4. Fur Das Kind Memorial
Another evocative monument in Liverpool Street Station is the Fur Das Kind Memorial. The sister tribute to the Kindertransport Memorial, Fur Das Kind honours the people involved in bringing those children to safety.
The statue is currently incomplete. Initially, it showed a standing girl and a glass suitcase containing objects children brought with them.
However, due to planning permission and conservation challenges, the glass suitcase is no longer on display, and a seated boy has been added.
The monument also pays tribute to those killed during the Holocaust, including over one and a half million children.
5. Great Eastern Railway War Memorial
The World Wars are fundamental, so it’s no surprise that there is another war memorial in the Liverpool Street Station.
In honour of the First World War soldiers, this one is a more traditional marble edifice plastered onto the wall, with engravings of the war dead’s names.
The soldiers honoured in the Great Eastern Railway War Memorial were initially staff members of the railway company who, to quote the dedication, “in response to the call of their king and country, sacrificed their lives during the Great War.”
More Things To Do Near Liverpool Street
There are many more fun things to do. Just around the corner are soaring skyscrapers, markets, and cultural institutions. If you want to explore with a guide, take a bike tour.
But if you want to experience it all in your own time and at your own pace, take a look at their best activities and attractions.
6. The Gherkin
30 St Mary Axe, “The Gherkin”, is one of London’s most iconic skyscrapers. While you’re exploring the Liverpool Street area, it’s definitely worth stopping by this landmark.
The Gherkin is the product of celebrated British architect Sir Norman Foster. The steel and glass facade has a striking spiral design, with the tower reaching 591 feet.
This attraction is home to offices but also to some fabulous eateries. Unless you attend one of the Open House Festivals, your best bet of getting into the building is visiting one of the restaurants.
Since the skyscraper is incredibly glamorous when it’s lit up at night, why not go in and grab a cocktail on the top floor?
7. The Scalpel
At the corner of Leadenhall and Limes Streets is The Scalpel. Although high-rises surround it in the economic hub, this one stands out as London’s “sharpest skyscraper” (thanks to the sharp angle at the top).
The Scalpel, which boasts 38 floors, is the work of multinational architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox.
Their brief was to design a tower that wouldn’t block any views, especially St Paul’s Cathedral. Hence the angular shape that makes this attraction so unique.
8. Spitalfields Market
The top of your Liverpool Street itinerary must be Old Spitalfields Market. It’s one of the loveliest Victorian Market Halls in London. You’ll find it near Brick Lane and Bishopsgate.
Since the 17th century, there has been a market on this spot. It’s open seven days a week, and, since it’s an indoor venue, there’s no need to worry about the temperamental weather of London.
This vast market has everything you could need, including a big emphasis on boutique fashion and lifestyle goods.
Here, workers, residents, and tourists congregate to shop, eat and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere.
9. The Heron Tower – 110 Bishopsgate
110 Bishopsgate, formerly known as The Heron Tower, is the third tallest building in Britain. And the good news is that you can visit this skyscraper if you book a seat at either of its two restaurants.
Sushi Samba on the 38th floor serves Peruvian, Brazilian and Japanese cuisine. If you’d prefer European cooking, choose Duck and Waffle on the 40th floor, which is open around the clock.
Both restaurants have panoramic views of London. Now, everyone will have the same idea as you so book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Duck and Waffle have the most ridiculous reservations booking wait time, and sometimes you’ll have to make a reservation up to 6 weeks in advance!
Ridiculous, I know, so if you are planning on visiting this restaurant, book well in advance.
11. The Bank of England Museum
If you’re a history lover wondering what to do in the Liverpool Street area, this is for you. The Bank of England Museum recounts a three-hundred-plus-year history of English coinage and economics. And it’s free!
Of course, there’s a section on actual money: follow the evolution from gold bars to coins to banknotes.
However, you can also admire other items like weaponry used to defend the bank and archaeological finds, including Roman mosaics, that builders discovered when renovating.
And why not get a peek at the bank’s dealings with the rich and famous? The museum includes documentation for customers like Horatio Nelson, George Washington, and Marlborough’s Duchess.
12. The Walkie Talkie
This skyscraper in the City of London’s name is officially 20 Fenchurch Street. But due to its top-heavy shape (meant to maximise floor space on the top floors), it’s somewhat derisively called ‘The Walkie Talkie’.
One of London’s most controversial buildings since it was voted the UK’s worst building in 2015.
Every Londoner has strong feelings about the skyscraper: it’s responsible for channelling sunlight onto vehicles, causing damage, and producing strong down draughts. So, it’s worth checking it out to form your own opinion.
Your best bet for getting inside the building is with a visit to the Sky Garden.
Note: London offers tons of walking tours that cover other amazing buildings and historical landmarks. Out of all of the available ones, the historic walking London tour is a hit.
13. The Bow Bells
In Britain, if someone says they were “born within the sound of Bow Bells”, they’re saying they’re a Cockney (or an East Londoner).
And the “Bow Bell” in question? They belong to the Church of St Mary-le-Bow, a quirky place to visit near Liverpool Street.
The church’s bells are ancient; reports indicate that they rang every night as far back as 1469.
Since the 17th century, people have claimed to be East Londoners if they were born in the area close enough to hear the bells.
The church, which is free to enter, has a busy events programme, and its bells are still the sound used by the BBC ahead of some broadcasts.
14. Brick Lane
Brick Lane is one of the best places to see London’s multicultural side. There are many things to do in Brick Lane here, from savouring scrumptious curries to browsing vintage markets and so much more.
For the shopaholics, there are five markets held on different days. The liveliest is the Sunday Brick Lane UpMarket which spills onto the streets and often hosts street performers. The Brick Lane Vintage Market is open daily and is a fabulous treasure trove of antiques.
City Spice Brick Lane is a top choice for curry. The award-winning restaurant has various Indian-style curries on offer. For an added Bangladeshi flavour, try Brick Lane Brasserie.
Exploring the Old Truman Brewery and taking in a gig at Rough Trade East are other fun activities in the road. You could also take a street art tour of the area.
For more on Brick Lane, read my guide to the Brick Lane market in London.
15. The Barbican
This mammoth, state-of-the-art cultural complex serves as a venue for music concerts, theatre performances, art exhibitions, and so much more. In fact, it’s the biggest cultural centre in the UK.
The best way to experience this attraction is to book tickets to one of its offerings. But if you want to understand the building, it’s best to take a tour.
The Brutalist style and use of concrete (not the usual architecture you would expect in London) are what makes this venue stand out.
Outdoors, there’s a sprawling public garden home to a splendid water feature, exotic fish, and over 2000 different species of plants. The Barbican also has a conservatory (the second-largest in London).
With the tropical plants climbing the concrete walls, losing all your stress in this tranquil environment is easy.
16. Church of St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate
St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate is the fourth church in a 900-year history to stand on the corner of Alderman’s Walk and Bishopsgate. It’s just a three-minute walk from London’s Liverpool Station.
Amazingly, the church mostly survived the Great Fire of London and the Blitz. It’s home to an Anglican congregation, as well as an orthodox parish.
Amongst the church’s notable parishioners, John Keats, a famous poet, was baptised at the church in 1795.
The churchyard is home to England’s earliest memorial dedicated to those who died in World War I and was erected in 1916, well before the war ended.
17. Sky Garden
Sky Garden is one of the top things to do in the Liverpool Street neighbourhood. It’s on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie, offering superb views of London. It’s also free to visit, though it’s best to book ahead online.
You can spot The Shard, The Gherkin, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the River Thames, amongst other iconic London landmarks with panoramic views.
Sky Garden also boasts an indoor garden where you can relax amongst the greenery, even on a rainy day.
You can also grab a bite at one of two restaurants or order a drink at one of the bars. No wonder it’s one of the top London landmarks.
Restaurants Near Liverpool Street, London
Whew! Now that you’re out of things to do, Liverpool Street eateries should be next on the list. Here are the top options near Liverpool Street. But if you can, try and enjoy all these restaurants at different meal times during the day.
Please Note: Some of the attractions on this list are home to in-house eateries. Those are best because they’re convenient; the restaurants in this section have outstanding food and a unique atmosphere.
The Ned
One of London’s hottest new hotels, The Ned, is just a 12-minute stroll from Liverpool Street Station, London. Sure, you can book a boutique room, but you’ll get the atmosphere with only one fabulous meal there.
There are eight eateries within The Ned. For cocktails, The Nickel Bar has glamorous decor and classic American drinks.
If it’s English fare you want, slide into a pale pink velvet booth at Millie’s Lounge. Japanese dishes, Californian superfoods and American grill are also options at the other restaurants.
The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town
If you’re exploring London’s Liverpool Street in the evening, you won’t go far wrong with a drink at this quirky bar.
It’s got a speak-easy atmosphere: to get in, go to the Breakfast Club Cafe and ask for “the Mayor”.
The bar itself is downstairs, with lots of cat-themed décor (as a cat mom, I approve of all the décor).
On the menu are burgers, nachos, and deluxe sandwiches. Standout cocktails include ‘Flower Power’ with elderflower, gin, and lavender syrup or ‘Cinema Paradiso’, made with bourbon, popcorn, ginger beer, and caramel syrup. Mmm!
Pizza East Shoreditch
Just ten minutes away, Pizza East is one of the top restaurants near Liverpool Street in Shoreditch. Don’t be put off by the seemingly bland name; this is a unique place, with no bland pizzas in sight.
Pizza East is now a small chain of restaurants, but the Shoreditch branch was the first. The venue is the Tea Building, one of the most iconic buildings in the area.
The interior is a refurbished warehouse that remains packed with local hipsters. Wood-fired pizza is the main dish, but you’ll also find salmon and salads on the menu.
Final Thoughts On Liverpool Street Things To Do
With so many activities near Liverpool Street, it has become a unique area in London. A place where you sample Indian curry, admire Roman mosaics and attend an Anglican church service.
The neighbourhood’s effortless blend of modern and ancient styles makes it a treat for the senses.
And that’s not to mention the mix of English tradition and cosmopolitan diversity, which exudes a beautiful, vibrant atmosphere.
Whether you’re just passing by on your way to Liverpool Street Station or out to explore the markets, I hope this guide tempts you into spending a little more time in the area.
You could easily spend an entire day shopping, exploring and eating. And, you know what else makes Liverpool Street so amazing?
With so many fun things to do near Liverpool Street, London — you won’t regret spending so much time in this fabulous neighbourhood.