Hackney is one of London’s inner boroughs, the borough was formed in 1965 by the merging of the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney with the Metropolitan Boroughs of Stoke Newington and Shoreditch. Hackney is one of the boroughs which hosted the London Olympics in 2012 and has several of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Venues.
The history of Hackney
The first ever documented settlement in Hackney was in Saxon times. In these times most of the borough was farmland which was providing food from the city of Londinium (a Roman city). Two major Roman roads were situated in Hackney and one of which is now the A10. The name ‘Hackney’ was first recorded in 1148 AD.
In the tudor times, Hackney was full of palaces and hunting grounds. In the 16th century it was a cluster of small villages of courtiers and aristocrats. In this time people would usually go to Hackney for holidays and hunting. At the Kings house, known as Brooke House, Henry VIII restored his relationship with his daughter after five years. However, in the 1950s the house was destroyed by the council.
By the 18th century, Hackney was filled with coffeehouses, bowling greens, assembly rooms and taverns. It had a population of several thousand and was mainly home to the middle class.
In the 19th century, Hackney went from mostly green land to grey as the population increased from 12,730 in 1801 to nearly 200,000 by the end of the 19th century. It was now filling with canals, railways and factories.
Things to do in Hackney
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Go to St Augustine’s Tower
St Augustine’s Tower is located in central Hackney, it is just outside Hackney’s central station. It is the oldest building in Hackney and had survived when the rest of the parish church was demolished in 1798.
Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard
Sutton House is the oldest domestic building in Hackney, it was built by a prominent courtier in the Tudor period. The garden outside Sutton House is called Breaker’s Yard and it features 1970s caravans that artists have converted into historic stately homes, and artistic treasures.
It is open:
- Wednesday – Friday: 15:00 – 17:00
- Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 – 17:00
Chatsworth Road Market
If you want to visit a sunday market this is the one for you. This market in Hackney is full delicious foods, fresh bread and many more treats.
Chatsworth road also has a lot of restaurants, cafes, vintage furniture shops, antique shops and much more!
Open Sunday 10am-4pm.
London Fields
London Fields is Hackney’s most popular park, it has many features including:
- paddling pool
- two children’s play areas
- cricket pitch
- pétanque area
- outdoor gym
- wildflower meadow
- sports changing rooms
- London Fields Lido
- Lido Cafe
- two tennis courts
- table tennis table
The London Fields Lido is an 50m Olympic size heated outdoor pool which is open all year round.
Travel In Hackney
You can travel to/from/around Hackney by:
- Bus
- underground
- overground
- cycling
- walking
- car
- taxi
The cheapest way to travel will be with an oyster card.
Places to stay In Hackney
There are many hotels dotted around Hackney which you can stay.
Prices based of a one person and one night stay!
Hotels: £35 – £266
B&Bs/apartments: £35 – £418
