Hidden in a side street off busy Mile End road is a tiny enclave of cute cottages, surrounded by death.

This is Mile End Place, and is exceptionally easy to miss as the road leading to it is probably the least inviting sight you are likely to see in a long time. A ramshackle building forms a bridge over what would otherwise look like a goods entrance to the back of the shops.

Head down here though, and it opens up into a bucolic delight, a small row of cottages with gardens overflowing onto the pavements. These 19th-century cottages were originally built as workers homes, for the nearby Charrington’s brewery, and some are still occupied by former Charrington’s pensioners.

By all accounts, they’re quite small cottages, and those that are rented seem to go for a reasonable price, but how delightful to be so close to the main road, yet totally hidden away from it.

Surrounding this little mews like street though is death, three separate but all Jewish cemeteries from the time when the East End was more Jewish and Golders Green was more fields. The cemeteries are hidden behind high walls and closed doors, so unless you’re an inquisitive sort, it would be quite possible to live in the area all your life and never know that a large chunk of land is given over to wildlife — a rare haven in these parts.

It’s not just a hidden cemetery, but also the oldest Jewish cemetery in Britain, purchased in 1657 after Oliver Cromwell permitted Jews to return to England 267 years after they were expelled by Edward I.

If you want to go inside, go a couple of doors along Mile End road, and there’s a former Sephardi hospital, and a sign indicating who to contact for access.

As you head out of Mile End Place though, do look up at the archway, as there’s a rather charming old style lamp still clinging on to existence.

NEWSLETTER

Be the first to know what's on in London, and the latest news published on ianVisits.

You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails.

Tagged with: , ,
SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE

This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles.

It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising.

Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver, every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website, and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts.

If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here.

Thank you

3 comments
  1. Brenda gurie says:

    Loved this .. donibtetesting

  2. Dave says:

    One alley I know about! Back in the mid 60’s attended school a short walk from here in White Horse Lane. One of my classmates lived with his family in the first terraced house on the right. Thinking back I remember their front room being tiny, in comparison with my own house.

  3. Jean says:

    I came across your site by accident while looking up Mile End Place after reading an article about Dorothy Rendell, an artist who lived in one of the cottages and taught art at the Harry Gosling School. The houses couldn’t be seen on google street map so thank you for the photos. I’ve bookmarked your site!

Home >> News >> London's Alleys and Passages