The Battle of Cable Street: Discover a Defining Moment in East End History

This month, discover what happened 90 years ago on 4 October 1936, when communities across London’s East End came together during one of the most significant political confrontations in UK’s history: the Battle of Cable Street.

Discover a Defining Event in East End History

On 4 October 1936, Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists planned to march through an area with a large immigrant population, including Jewish and Irish communities.

In response, thousands of local residents, trade unionists, political activists and other anti-fascist protesters gathered in an effort to prevent the march from taking place.

The resulting confrontation became known as the Battle of Cable Street, and its legacy continues to shape how this episode of East End history is remembered and understood.

Explore the Streets Where History Unfolded

This research-led walking tour explores the streets where the events of 1936 took place, placing the Battle of Cable Street within the wider story of migration, poverty, politics, policing and community life in London’s East End.

The tour connects the political events of 1936 with the people, communities and neighbourhoods that shaped them. Along the way, you’ll discover the details of the confrontation itself — including the people involved, the terrain, the tactics used and the ways in which events developed throughout the day.

Rather than presenting the battle as an isolated moment, the tour considers the wider circumstances surrounding it, the choices faced by those involved and the arguments that continue to shape discussions about its legacy.

What You’ll See and Explore

1. Aldgate and Whitechapel
Discover the political and social landscape of London’s East End in the years leading up to 1936.

2. Sites of Anti-Fascist Organising
Explore the people and organisations that mobilised in opposition to fascism.

3. The Cable Street Confrontation
Learn how barricades, crowds, streets and police movements shaped the events of the day.

4. The Jewish East End
Discover the migration, institutions and everyday experiences of the area’s Jewish communities.

5. The Cable Street Mural
Explore how later generations commemorated and interpreted the events of 1936.

At a Glance

• Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours

• Price: £20 per person

• Start and finish: Near Tower Hill Tube station

• Distance: Approximately 2 miles

Whether you’re interested in London’s social history, the history of migration, political movements or the communities that shaped the East End, this walking tour offers an opportunity to explore the Battle of Cable Street in the streets where history unfolded.

Find out more and book your tickets:
www.battleofcablestreettours.com