This Trendy London Street With Affordable Vintage Clothes Is One Of The UK's Most Photogenic

When you're dreaming of a trip to London, your Instagram feed will probably flood with the genteel pastel townhouses of Chalcot Crescent and greenery-covered brick buildings of Colville Place. Those quiet, elegant places are gorgeous and definitely worth a stop. But once you're done taking photos, it's time to move on because there's just not much to do there. Enter Brick Lane. This trendy London street is incredibly photogenic in a much grittier way. It's also packed with vintage stores and stalls, vibrant street art, and some of the best curry houses in the city.

Brick Lane in London's East End is now the center of the city's Bangladeshi community. Many people from the Sylhet region of what is now Bangladesh arrived there after World War II, and as you wander around the area, you'll see street signs in both English and Bengali. Brick Lane has welcomed other groups over the years and was home to a large Jewish community from the 17th century to the 1930s. Now, this fantastically multicultural area is one of London's hippest hangouts.

For urban photography enthusiasts, Brick Lane is a goldmine. Market stalls are piled high with antiques and colorful vintage clothes, and there are murals that line the walls. As darkness falls, the street is lit up by neon signs, giving your shots a totally different atmosphere. Whatever the time of day, the streets bustle with people. Brick Lane isn't the manicured streets of London's West End — it's far more intriguing.

You can easily lose track of time on Brick Lane, which pulsates with life from dawn until well after dusk. Start your day hunting for some vintage and antique treasures. Brick Lane is the perfect alternative to Oxford Street, a tourist trap and London's busiest shopping street. To grab a bargain, go on a Sunday when the main street market is open, with stalls overflowing with clothing, accessories, and much more.

Throughout the week, there are many other markets in the Old Truman Brewery. Check out the Vintage Market for clothes and the Backyard Market for accessories. As well as clothes, you'll also find the Tea Rooms, which sell almost everything you can imagine, from fine china to typewriters and vintage maps to old cameras. For more clothing, head to ATIKA, a vintage department store in an old Victorian warehouse just off Brick Lane, where you can browse for hours. Some of the most affordable clothes in the area are in Vintage Basement and Nonstop Vintage, two sister stores that have sections selling items for £10 ($13). If you're on a tight budget during your London vacation, these stores are your friends.

When you're done shopping, head outside to enjoy Brick Lane's outdoor gallery of street art. Works by famous artists like Banksy and ROA jostle for space alongside those by locals, and the images change constantly. Wander the lanes and alleyways solo or take a street art tour — just make sure you have your camera ready to capture the vibrant murals!

Once you've worked up an appetite, it's time to indulge in some local cuisine. Brick Lane is famous for bagels, and the 24-hour Beigel Bake is the best-known place to get one. (A shot of this shop is also a must for photographers!) The salt beef with gherkin (pickle) and mustard is a classic. Leave some room for your visit to Upmarket, where street foods from around the world are gathered under one roof. As the sun goes down, Brick Lane stays lively, and it's time to test out your night photography skills before you grab dinner. The neon-lit storefronts and floodlit street art murals make for unique photos of London.

When you're ready, it's time to try the food of Brick Lane. While Soho might be the best London neighborhood for foodies, Brick Lane beats it hands down when it comes to curry. Curry houses line the street, and picking just one to try is hard. Favorites include Aladin, Bengal Village, and City Spice, all of which have won awards and acclaim. You can indulge in classic dishes, like tikka masala and jalfrezi, and enjoy the extensive vegan selections. For more authentic Bangladeshi cuisine, check out Graam Bangla, where diners love the home-cooked-style food and friendly atmosphere. From vintage finds to street photography and lip-smacking cuisine, Brick Lane is serving it all.