Guidebook for Hackney
Entertainment & Activities
Swim in a heated Olympic-size (50m) pool year-round! Especially good in the snow!
591 locals recommend
London Fields
London Fields West SideSwim in a heated Olympic-size (50m) pool year-round! Especially good in the snow!
Rio Cinema
107 Kingsland High StreetArt-house and world cinema, as well as popular films, in Dalston.
Hackney Picturehouse
270 Mare StOur local cinema, with a great range of films.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Nuff said!
Haggerston Park BMX Track
Watch or have a go if you can get hold of a bike!
Climb in an old water tower resembling a castle in what locals jokingly call the Hackney Riviera - reservoirs where you can also go sailing.
81 locals recommend
Castle Climbing Centre
Green LanesClimb in an old water tower resembling a castle in what locals jokingly call the Hackney Riviera - reservoirs where you can also go sailing.
Horse riding by the river Lea in the wilds of Hackney - yes they do exist!
37 locals recommend
Lee Valley Riding Centre
71 Lea Bridge RdHorse riding by the river Lea in the wilds of Hackney - yes they do exist!
Lee Valley Ice Centre
Lea Bridge RoadIce skating indoors
Arts & Culture
It's educational and fun for children and it's not far away - by the tube at Bethnal Green, a walk or a bus ride away.
418 locals recommend
V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath RoadIt's educational and fun for children and it's not far away - by the tube at Bethnal Green, a walk or a bus ride away.
Hackney Museum
1 Reading LnOur local museum.
Situated in the heart of London's contemporary art district, Vyner Street has loads of galleries open for free every first Thursday of the month.
22 locals recommend
Vyner Street
Vyner StreetSituated in the heart of London's contemporary art district, Vyner Street has loads of galleries open for free every first Thursday of the month.
Wander round the neighbourhood with the highest density of artists in Europe, bordering the Lea River and canal, and opposite the Olympic Park. With cafe's, a theatre and bars.
137 locals recommend
Hackney Wick
Wander round the neighbourhood with the highest density of artists in Europe, bordering the Lea River and canal, and opposite the Olympic Park. With cafe's, a theatre and bars.
Puts on plays for contemporary audiences, and it's trying to be as eco as possible.
199 locals recommend
Arcola Bar
24 Ashwin StPuts on plays for contemporary audiences, and it's trying to be as eco as possible.
Even if you don't go to see a show here, it's newly-restored splendour is a sight to behold!
202 locals recommend
Hackney Empire
291 Mare StEven if you don't go to see a show here, it's newly-restored splendour is a sight to behold!
Drinks & Nightlife
The Dove
24-28 Broadway MarketHuge range of Belgian beers.
The Taproom
163 Upper StBeer brewed on the premises, and just round the corner.
Packed on hot days, but with unrivalled terraces overlooking London Fields.
162 locals recommend
Pub On The Park
19 Martello StreetPacked on hot days, but with unrivalled terraces overlooking London Fields.
The Dolphin Tavern
44 Red Lion StRaw and raucous - and open late.
Vortex
11 Gillett SquareThe home of jazz and improvised music in London.
European-style bar with cosy atmosphere and live bands sometimes.
16 locals recommend
Biddle Bros Builders
European-style bar with cosy atmosphere and live bands sometimes.
Food Scene
Not my cup of tea at all! But if you like the typical East End dish of jellied eels then this is heaven!
12 locals recommend
F. Cooke
9 Broadway MarketNot my cup of tea at all! But if you like the typical East End dish of jellied eels then this is heaven!
Buen Ayre
50 Broadway MarketEnough Argentinian steak to satisfy the most ravenous carnivores.
E5 Bakehouse
396 Mentmore TerraceThe best bread in East London, right on our doorstep.
Only yards away, this one of three coffee shops by London Fields station.
9 locals recommend
Coffee Is My Cup Of Tea
103B Dalston LaneOnly yards away, this one of three coffee shops by London Fields station.
The place if you like curry. A spot for night life too. The centre of Bangladeshi London, but full of trendy young people. And a flea market every Sunday.
878 locals recommend
Brick Lane
Brick LaneThe place if you like curry. A spot for night life too. The centre of Bangladeshi London, but full of trendy young people. And a flea market every Sunday.
Beigel Bake
159 Brick Ln24 hour beigels and a longstanding landmark.
Cheap and very cheerful cafe run by an Italian family for generations. Lunch only, but be prepared to be squeezed in alongside strangers, who will engage you in conversation.
160 locals recommend
E Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green RdCheap and very cheerful cafe run by an Italian family for generations. Lunch only, but be prepared to be squeezed in alongside strangers, who will engage you in conversation.
Shopping
Saturday market with gourmet food - a big visitor attraction, and hipster central.
1735 locals recommend
Broadway Market
Broadway MarketSaturday market with gourmet food - a big visitor attraction, and hipster central.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadBlossoming and busy!
Sprawling market where a huge range of stuff is sold, usually cheap.
825 locals recommend
Brick Lane Sunday Market
Brick LaneSprawling market where a huge range of stuff is sold, usually cheap.
"Opened in 2017, Hackney Walk is a luxury designer outlet in East London offering up to 70% off luxury designer brands. The project has rekindled Hackney’s relationship with the fashion industry while offering shoppers an alternative to Oxford Street... home to designer brands including the likes of Zadig & Voltaire, BLK DNM, Gieves & Hawkes, Nike, Colombo and Nicole Farhi."
32 locals recommend
Hackney Walk
103 Morning Ln"Opened in 2017, Hackney Walk is a luxury designer outlet in East London offering up to 70% off luxury designer brands. The project has rekindled Hackney’s relationship with the fashion industry while offering shoppers an alternative to Oxford Street... home to designer brands including the likes of Zadig & Voltaire, BLK DNM, Gieves & Hawkes, Nike, Colombo and Nicole Farhi."
Parks & Nature
Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadBig local park with lake, acres of space and manicured gardens.
Walk or cycle along this to Victoria Park, the Olympic Park, or to Camden Market and London Zoo in the other direction, if your legs can manage.
339 locals recommend
Regent's Canal
Walk or cycle along this to Victoria Park, the Olympic Park, or to Camden Market and London Zoo in the other direction, if your legs can manage.
Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
13 Dalston LnAn eclectic and changing programme of events.
Hackney City Farm
1a Goldsmiths RowWith farm animals and a cafe. Aimed at children.
Getting Around
A cable car across the Thames. Then you can travel up the Thames with your Oyster card on a boat and get off at eg Tate Modern or the London Eye.
222 locals recommend
Emirates Royal Docks station
27 Western GatewayA cable car across the Thames. Then you can travel up the Thames with your Oyster card on a boat and get off at eg Tate Modern or the London Eye.
The station for connections to Stratford International (Eurostar); Highbury & Islington; Hampstead Heath; Richmond; Kew Gardens.
98 locals recommend
Hackney Central station
off Amhurst RdThe station for connections to Stratford International (Eurostar); Highbury & Islington; Hampstead Heath; Richmond; Kew Gardens.
Only 2 mins walk from the flat! Trains to Liverpool Street, Stansted Airport (one change) & Cambridge.
429 locals recommend
London Fields station
Only 2 mins walk from the flat! Trains to Liverpool Street, Stansted Airport (one change) & Cambridge.
Bethnal Green (Stop D) station
Central Line tube station.