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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
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Cat Olley

Cambridge Heath area guide: why Gemma Moulton reckons it's the 'best of both worlds'

I live 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.

Bistrotheque is one of the area's best known haunts (Daniel Lynch)

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.

Bethnal Green Gardens is a serene spot down the road (Daniel Lynch)

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.

Cambridge Heath Road runs north to south through the area (Daniel Lynch)

Grocery shopping

Next door to us is a slightly under-the-radar 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.

4Cose is an under-the-radar deli and gallery on Vyner Street (Daniel Lynch)

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.

Characterful Cyprus Street would be Gemma’s dream address (Daniel Lynch)

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.

Vyner Street is lined with black cabs in various states of repair (Daniel Lynch)

What’s the catch?

Sometimes the rawness and the soul and the things we love about it are loud and messy — but I wouldn’t change it.

In three words…

Authentic. Audacious. Fun.

CC Moulton launches April 25. ccmoulton.com

Schools

Mowlem Primary School has been rated outstanding by Ofsted, as has Sebright School towards Haggerston and Globe Primary School in Bethnal Green. Oaklands School is a good secondary on Bethnal Green Road.

What it costs

Buying in Cambridge Heath

Average property price: £501,070

Renting in Cambridge Heath

Average flat price, pcm: £2,630

Average house price, pcm: £3,220

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