Whitechapel

Whitechapel has been the first thing you hit on the walk out of the City since the Romans laid the road, and in all that time it has never once tidied up for the occasion. The Elizabeth line now delivers commuters to the hospital doors in minutes, which estate agents call regeneration and the stallholders on Whitechapel Road call another Tuesday. It is loud, crowded and about as restful as a fire drill, though nobody moves here for restful. People move here because the Square Mile is a stroll away and they've finally admitted the garden was never going to happen.