It's joyous to be strolling through these residential red-brick streets which have survived 300 years of redevelopment and the Blitz. Spitalfields, renowned for its rich cultural mix, has seen constant change over centuries. Once a medieval priory, the land was developed for Huguenot weavers exiled from France in the late seventeenth-century; big windows in these handsome Georgian townhouses allowed light in for the looms. The Huguenots were followed by Jewish refugees, then Bengali immigrants who carry on the garment trade to this day.
Thanks to the Spitalfields Historic Buildings Trust, this historic quarter has been preserved and revitalised. Two of those preservation pioneers went on to create this beautiful boutique hotel behind the facades of two adjacent houses behind Old Spitalfields Market. Its 29 supremely comfortable rooms and suites are named for local Georgian notables, from aristocrats to vagabonds (Batty Langley himself was an architect), and feature restored antiques, oil paintings and original four-posters. Authentic furniture has been cleverly adapted for modern living – beds were enlarged, wardrobes altered, flatscreen TVs hidden behind mirrors – and the bathrooms are excellent. There are parlours and snugs for drinks and relaxing by the fire, and an internal courtyard. Whether you're fancy-free or a family you'll fit right in at Batty Langley's.
Highs
- The concept: a quirky and top-notch reinvention of heritage townhouses, dating from 1724
- The location: slap bang in the heart of London's most dynamic district, with bars, restaurants, markets, boutiques, galleries, and good public transport links
- The service: welcoming unpretentious staff who are a mine of local knowledge and maintain the hotel immaculately
- The design detail: Georgian-style interiors cleverly incorporate modern conveniences from USB ports to power showers
Lows
- Spitalfields is bustling and occasionally noisy, but the hotel itself is tranquil, with double glazing in all rooms
- No restaurant on site – breakfast is served to your room at a time of your choosing – so you'll have to eat out; there's lots of choice on your doorstep. 24-hour room service and food delivery is easily arranged
- No twin rooms, but the Junior Suites have good sofa-beds
- Parking isn't easy, but truly there's no need to bring a car into E2
- Boutique Hotel
- 29 rooms
- Breakfast only; walk to restaurants
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 29 individually decorated rooms and suites are across four storeys (yes, there's a lift!). Each is named for local historical characters who plied various trades, such as silk merchant James Stillwell, portrait painter Charles Jervas, musician Obadiah Shuttleworth, actress Peg Woffington, and petty thief Ann Flynn.
We stayed in a Deluxe Double (anarchist William Godwin), which has a very comfortable canopy bed, double vintage wardrobes, and a copper power shower plus a roll-top bath in the spacious bathroom. Pleasingly, the room opposite is named for his wife, pioneering feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, and both chambers can interconnect on request.
Club Double, Superior Double and Deluxe Double rooms (in ascending size order) have 17th-century carved oak beds or Georgian four-poster beds. The Deluxe Double with Terrace (architect Batty Langley himself) has a four-poster, the Junior Suites have sofa-beds in their sitting rooms and work well for families.
The two top suites are utterly unique. Lavish Kitty Fisher (a courtesan) comes with a terrace, a sitting room with sofabed and an original Victorian bathing machine, while blue-hued two-level Earl of Bolingbroke has a huge canopy bed, a large terrace with long views over city rooftops plus an antique marble bath.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast (not included in the rates) is the only meal served – complete the menu card the night before – and can be taken in-room or downstairs in the Tapestry Room or Library. Besides a main dish – perhaps fruit crunch, bakers basket, bacon sandwich or smoked salmon bagel – you can add smoothies, porridge or cereal too. Drinks include freshly squeezed juices and hot chocolate; if celebrating or recuperating, Bucks Fizz or Bloody Marys are available. There’s also a 24-hour room service menu and food deliveries can be easily arranged; the hotel can supply cutlery and crockery.
The hardest thing about eating out is the sheer choice. Shoreditch has every type of eatery and watering hole, from Michelin-starred restaurants to pop-ups in the Boxpark food court, from honest pub grub to hole-in-the-wall bars. You'll find cuisines from British modern to French, Turkish and beyond. Head to Kingsland High Road for Vietnamese noodle cafes, or to Brick Lane (aka Banglatown) for the full gamut of curry houses. Spitalfields Market is renowned for its food trucks and stalls as well as its popular open-plan diners. Eataly, on Bishopsgate, showcases the flavours of Italy across nine restaurants and bars.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Take a guided tour of this fascinating neighbourhood or construct your own: perhaps focusing on the layers of history (Tower of London, Jack the Ripper, Huguenots, the Battle of Cable Street)
- Explore the markets (Petticoat Lane, Spitalfields, Columbia Road, Truman Brewery) or the street art (especially around Shoreditch)
- Brick Lane is home to curry restaurants, trendy bars, pop-up galleries, vintage shopping, and the famous 24-hour Beigal Bakery
- Arts and design lovers can visit the Whitechapel Gallery, the Museum of the Home in Hoxton, or the Barbican Centre - East London’s largest cultural complex showcasing music, theatre, art and film
- It's 5 mins' walk to Bishopsgate, the boundary of the City of London: here discover the medieval Guildhall, or secret Roman sites like the Temple of Mithras
- Or walk from St Paul's Cathedral across the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern, then along the Thames Path for iconic river and Tower Bridge views
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
Best Time to go
You can visit year-round, London is definitely an all-season city. The markets and shops get dressed up for Christmas, and the January sales are a draw. Columbia Road is at its best in spring, while in summer the East End and City of London are bustling with outdoor activity. Spitalfields Market has a Halloween makeover every year.
Our Top Tips
A complete one-off and must-see is just next door: Dennis Severs' House is a “still-life drama”, over several rooms and floors, comprising tableaux of life for a family of Huguenot silk weavers over the generations. It's a fascinating insight into the social history of Spitalfields; make sure to book your tour in advance.
Location
Batty Langley's is in the historic Spitalfields area in East London, northeast of the City of London, and a 7-minute walk from London Liverpool Street Station.
By Air
London City (12km) is the closest airport, but most scheduled airlines fly into Heathrow (31km) or Gatwick (50km), while budget airlines often use Stansted or Luton (both 55km). All airports have train links into London; or you can take a taxi or arrange a private transfer with the hotel.
By Train
Liverpool Street Station is within walking distance, while Paddington, Marylebone, King’s Cross, Euston, Waterloo, Victoria and St Pancras (Eurostar terminal) are all an easy Tube ride away.
By Car
You really don't need a car in central London, and parking is a nightmare. Much better to use public transport, a ride-hailing app or your feet! If you're set on driving, the hotel has a list of local car parks and EV charging points.
Airports:
- London City Airport 12.0 km LCY
- London Heathrow Airport 31.0 km LHR
Other:
- Beach 60.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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