Area guide to Cambridge Heath

East London Cloth founder Gemma Moulton is gearing up to launch CC Moulton from her studio on arty Vyner Street

2024-04-24 -

Ilive just over the border in Hackney, but I spend most of my time near the studio in Cambridge Heath. We’re on Vyner Street, which is famous for its art, but the history of the street goes back to the rag trade. We’re based in a Sixties building that used to be a car garage, so we’ve got high ceilings and those amazing concertina doors at the front.

It’s a little more suburban than Bethnal Green, which has more of that city feel. For me it’s the best of both worlds between trendy areas like London Fields and the connectedness of Bethnal Green.

BEST EATING AND DRINKING

We’ve got a cluster of Italian places, though I’ve never quite worked out why. Perhaps it’s a coincidence. Ombra at the end of the street is our favourite for dinner, though people are more familiar with Café Cecilia and Bistrotheque nearby. Childcare-permitting, we go to The Victory pub on a Friday night, which gets a really interesting crowd. You’ll see all the regulars and then suddenly someone really famous. The pub itself has so much character.

WHERE I WORK OUT

I used to do a lot of long-distance running, but between work and kids I rarely have four hours, so I’ve started doing reformer Pilates. It’s challenging, but it also feels like a little treat. I come away feeling refreshed and level-headed.

TO COMMUNE WITH NATURE

The walk along the canal into Victoria Park is such a joy in the summer. I don’t often get the chance to walk home from work, but it’s always lovely. Bethnal Green Gardens near the station is another beautiful park, with grand buildings around the outside.

FOR A CULTURE FIX

Vyner Street is a bit of a culture hub, but sadly the Nicoletti Contemporary gallery is moving soon. Neven Gallery opened on Cambridge Heath Road last year and it’s showing some really beautiful work by Leo Costelloe. The Viktor Wynd Museum is a bit of an institution — I’d love to do one of their taxidermy classes. Then we’ve got the Young V&A down the road, which has been so thoughtfully redesigned. It used to be pretty boring, but I’m really impressed.

GROCERY SHOPPING

Next door to us is a slightly under-theradar Italian deli called 4Cose, which is run by artists who also have a gallery in the back. I think they recognise that galleries can be intimidating, while food is a common language. Their Parmesan is legendary. Supermarket-wise I’m partial to Lidl on Well Street, mostly for the bakery. A lot of the small independents have great fruit and veg. Ali’s sells basically everything, and Nature’s Health Store next to our Sainsbury’s Local also does really beautiful flowers.

GETTING AROUND

Give me enough time and I’d walk everywhere, but we do have the Overground and the Tube from Bethnal Green. I’m terrified of cycling, though I love a bus. I like the fact you can settle in next to a window and see London.

DREAM STREET

Cyprus Street has rows of Victorian houses with lovely colourful shutters, unlike anything else I’ve seen in the area. It also has a famous memorial, as it suffered the highest losses of any street in London in the First World War.

SOMETHING YOU ONLY SEE IN CAMBRIDGE HEATH

Vyner Street is probably the only place in London where you can see incredible art and about 100 taxis. It’s a service point for black cabs and some of them are literally in pieces. The area once hosted an archery competition and they cast the bronze trophy in the street, which was a little bit unnerving.