My stylist recently moved salons, from Covent Garden to Shoreditch. Reading about Shoreditch on here and other sites makes me think while it may be a bit rougher than I'm used to, it should be safe enough. The actual salon is on Redchurch, just before Bethnal Green Rd. My husband also read the same reviews and he isn't as comfortable with me going there alone, at least for my first time. He (and our 5 year old son) will probably come with me, but will need somewhere to hang out while I'm getting my hair cut. Looking at google maps it seem like 10 minutes west there is a large field with a playground called Weaver's Fields. Is anyone familiar with it? It looks like any other urban playground, but I just wanted to make sure that it was mostly children playing there -- as opposed to punky teenagers and other less friendly people!

It may not be as posh as Covent Garden, but it's not exactly South Bronx either!

Here's map of local playspaces drawn up by the professionals:
http://www.playtowerhamlets.org.uk/i...lay_Places_Map

The very nearest playspace to Redchurch St looks as though it may be attached to a particular housing block, so local residents might be a bit proprietorial about it (and it might not be easy to find). From what I've seen of local playspaces, incidentally, the Council has been putting in quite a bit of money - the equipment looks pretty smart and up-to-date, at least down my end of the Borough.

Not too far away (and much nearer than Weaver's Fields) is the Spitalfields City Farm, which could occupy a 5-year old for a while:

http://www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org/...tle-spitz.html
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/04/...lds-city-farm/

that part of shoreditch is almost in the city area. mostly city workers thereabouts. they tend to get a hold of your money legally ;-). you'll be fine!

Oh - definitely send them off to the City Farm, they'll love it.

Redchurch street is extremely fashionable. The only danger is getting eye strain from all the bonkers clothing and assymetrical haircuts LOL.

Make the most of it and go for a spot of lunch, there's some great restaurants in the area.

Thanks for the reassurance. Hopefully it will calm my husband down a bit. Now I'm worried that I am just not trendy enough for this new salon! Oh well -- I probably didn't fit in at the old place either. At least I know I'll walk out with cute hair!

The farm will be perfect, exactly what we were looking for. Thank you!

Well, I know we all hate it when people ask questions but then never come back to write a trip report, so here's mine!

After showing my husband this post I convinced him that I was a big enough girl to go on my own. So, I made it to Shoreditch. It is an interesting area -- different from the touristy places we usually see. I commented to my stylist that it felt more like NYC than London -- architecture was newer, lots more graffiti, etc. I definitely am not hip enough to live there, but I think I'll be okay sneaking in and out for the occasional haircut!

Thanks everyone!

The fact that the architecture is newer is probably the work of the Schicklgruber Demolition Company

He started the work seventy years ago on 7th September
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...t-fire-new-war