Hackney Area Guide
Explore the areas we serve – from parks, entertainment and transport links, to shopping, eating and drinking.
Living in Hackney
Hackney has become one of the most desirable areas of Inner London to live in. Hackney occupies part of east London and north London with Islington to the west, the City of London to the south, and Haringey to the north. Over that past 20 years, Hackney has undergone a complete regeneration that has shaken off its tardy image to become one of the best postcodes in London – E1.
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What is it like to live in Hackney?
What is it like to live in Hackney?
The property market in Hackney is now booming with many homeowners finding that they get more space for their money than areas like Shoreditch and Hoxton. There are many fine examples of Victorian and Georgian-period houses for sale or rent in Hackney. With quick travel times to central London, Hackney has become a destination for City workers, young professional couples, and families to live in.
Investment to revive Hackney has meant many positive changes to the area’s infrastructure and facilities. With the arrival of the London Olympic Games in 2012, Hackney secured its place as one of the best places to live in London.
4 Interesting facts about Hackney
1.
The name Hackney comes from a marsh (that is still there today) and was referred to as Haca’s Eye, or “raised marsh”.
2.
Hackney was a holiday destination for Tudors in the 16th century and was where King Henry VIII reconciled with his daughter who later became Bloody Mary.
3.
Sutton House still survives from the Tudor era and is a fine example of an ancient property in East London.
4.
Famous residents of Hackney have included William Shakespeare, Lord Alan Sugar, Barbara Windsor, Alfred Hitchcock, and Colin Firth.
Properties in Hackney
Properties in Hackney
Although Hackney has undergone a transformation in recent years, there are still great examples of Georgian and Victorian properties to be found. Many of these large townhouses have been converted into flats to cater to the increasing need for rental accommodation in Hackney.
Some of the more spacious Georgian villas are found on Urswick Road, Lower Clapton Road, and Clapton Square. Over recent years, many of the larger flat-fronted Victorian houses have been restored back to single homes from multi-occupation properties.
There are also many new build homes, warehouse conversions, and ex-council properties that attract people who need to be close to central London.
Public transport
Public transport
Hackney has an extensive bus network with many bus services that operate in the area. This means that it’s possible to get direct links to most areas of London from Hackney.
There are 2 Tube stations in Hackney. Old Street Station is in Travel card Zone 1 on the Northern Line and also has over ground train services on the Northern City Line. The other Tube station is Manor House on the Piccadilly Line in Travel card Zones 2 and 3.
Green Spaces
Green Spaces
There are plenty of green spaces in Hackney were local residents can relax and get away from busy city life. The largest park is Victoria Park which has been voted as the most popular public park 3 times – something that no other park in the United Kingdom has achieved. The park is also in close proximity to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Also, London Fields has many sports facilities including a heated lido, cricket pitch, tennis courts, and an extensive network of cycle paths.
What’s to do in Hackney?
What’s to do in Hackney?
There is a wide choice of fine restaurants, cafes, and pubs to choose from in Hackney. Mare Street and Broadway Market are where most people go for dining. There you can find restaurants serving Italian, Vietnamese, Turkish, Asian, and traditional English cuisine.
There are also plenty of pubs and clubs to choose from and Hackney is a popular place for locals and visitors alike to spend time with friends at the weekend.
Schools in Hackney
Schools in Hackney
There are many schools in Hackney which give families a wide range of choice when it comes to choosing a good school.
Almost all primary schools in Hackney have been rated as “good” by Ofsted. The most outstanding primary schools are Orchard in Holcroft Road, London Fields in Westgate Street, and Kingsmead in Kingsmead Way.
There are also 6 comprehensive schools in Hackney, all with at least at “good” rating. All apart from one, all are co-ed comprehensive schools.
Local amenities in Hackney
Local amenities in Hackney
You are always near good shops when living in Hackney. The main street is Mare Street and this is home to the usual high-street shops selling groceries, clothes, phones, and bargain items.
To find local produce, the Broadway Market has many specialized shops like butchers, fishmongers, and bakeries. There are also weekly markets on Saturdays at Broadway Market and Netil Market.