An Urban Wander from Shoreditch to Hackney (part 2 of 3, Hoxton to Cambridge Heath)

Later than I had originally hoped for, but here at last is the second installment of my Shoreditch to Hackney wander. This part covers the drift from Hoxton towards Cambridge Heath.

Until recently I'd never much cared for graffiti or street art, but often it can brighten up an otherwise dreary area. I particularly liked this hare.

Street art on Hackney Road, London

Most ghost signs generally are written left to right, so it's always a pleasant surprise to find one with vertical lettering. Unfortunately I am at a loss to work out what this one says, other than:

?? ING ?? ES

Also, and this may simply be my imagination, but there almost seems to be an eerie image of a face in the brickwork to the right of the lettering.

Ghost sign just off the Hackney Road, London

Not quite sure what to make of this next picture. I had half a mind not to include it, but it does hold a certain curiosity. The ornate brickwork around the door frame, the basic graffiti, the more elaborate street art in the centre and to the right of the door, and what looks like a daffodil, lonely discarded in front of the boarded up door.

Boarded up doorway on Hackney Road, London

No doubt about what this ghost sign says:

PLYWOOD

IMPORTERS

Ghost sign on Hackney Road, London

This next ghost sign is a double, if not perhaps a triple, and appears to have been revealed (not sure how recently) by the removal of a more modern advertising board.

The deeper ghost sign reads

CABINET MAKERS

UPHOLSTERERS

whereas the more recent, red one reads

MODERN ????

???????

UPHOLSTERERS &

????????

Ghost sign on Minerva Street, London E2

If anyone missed the first part of thos urban wander then it can be found at An Urban Wander from Shoreditch to Hackney (part 1 of 3, Shoreditch to Hoxton).

Stay tuned folks, the third and final installment will be posted in the next few days.

    

An Urban Wander from Shoreditch to Hackney (part 1 of 3, Shoreditch and Hoxton)

I've really been enjoying the lighter evenings and the weather over the past couple of weeks. Last week I was at a meeting in Shoreditch which gave me time to drift around one of my favourite London areas. I actually ended up wandering around more that just Shoreditch and made it all the way to Hackney, via Hoxton, which turned out to be quite a trek, with lots of photo opportunities, so this will be a two, or maybe even a three part posting.

First up we have the Shoreditch Tramshed which used to be the electricity generating station for the local trams and is now a trendy restaurant.

Tramshed, Shoreditch, London

I'm always amazed by the ever changing landscape of London street art and particularly in and around the Shoreditch area.

Street art, Shoreditch, London

This next picture is of a ghost sign, featuring just the word GLASS. I have studied the picture but can see no other wording, but maybe the area below the first floor window once bore some lettering as the word seems a bit strange on its own.

Ghost sign in Shoreditch, London

Just further along the road was another ghost sign. Slightly harder to read but fairly sure it says KINGSLAND SHEET WORKS.

Ghost sign in Shoreditch, London

As my journey took me away from Shoreditch and into Hoxton, I found some more street art. The whole building was covered top to bottom, but this particular image stood out, Love Will Tear Us Apart.

Street art, Hoxton, Cremer Street, London

Street art, Hoxton, Cremer Street, London

And just behind the graffiti clad building was this fantastic old Citroen van.

Old Citroen van, Hoxton, London

Just before I headed under the railway arch that carries the London Overground northwards, I turned around and spotted this ghost sign for GORDON FABRICS on Cremer Street.

Ghost sign, Cremer Street, Hoxton, London

And finally on this part of the wander, an old, abandoned pub on Geffrye Street, I presume, judging by the signage which reads FOSTERS LAGER and BEN TRUMAN EXPORT ALE.

Abandoned pub, Geffrye Street, Hoxton, London

Parts two and three of this urban wander will follow over the next few days and be linked here.