Guidebook for London

Angie
Guidebook for London

Parks & Nature

Gorgeous park with 50 metre open air lido (swimming pool), tennis courts and an excellent FREE paddling pool (tucked in behind the lido). There are 2 playgrounds for kiddies and some lovely pubs. Gets a bit mad on sunny weekends, when all the hipsters break out their barbecues, but it's 2 minutes up the road and great for a swim. Be prepared to queue if you fancy a dip. It costs £4.25 per adult, kids go free.
429 helybéli ajánlásával
London Fields station
429 helybéli ajánlásával
Gorgeous park with 50 metre open air lido (swimming pool), tennis courts and an excellent FREE paddling pool (tucked in behind the lido). There are 2 playgrounds for kiddies and some lovely pubs. Gets a bit mad on sunny weekends, when all the hipsters break out their barbecues, but it's 2 minutes up the road and great for a swim. Be prepared to queue if you fancy a dip. It costs £4.25 per adult, kids go free.
Great for joggers or cyclists, you can walk to Islington or all the way to the Limehouse Basin via Victoria Park. Try the Towpath Cafe, Proud East or any of the other gorgeous spots for brunch or coffee.
46 helybéli ajánlásával
Regents Canal
14 Orsman Road
46 helybéli ajánlásával
Great for joggers or cyclists, you can walk to Islington or all the way to the Limehouse Basin via Victoria Park. Try the Towpath Cafe, Proud East or any of the other gorgeous spots for brunch or coffee.
A disused piece of land utterly transformed into an urban oasis. Bring the kids for a stone baked pizza and a craft class while you enjoy a cafetiere of freshly pressed coffee. A local GEM.
178 helybéli ajánlásával
Dalston Eastern Curve Kert
13 Dalston Ln
178 helybéli ajánlásával
A disused piece of land utterly transformed into an urban oasis. Bring the kids for a stone baked pizza and a craft class while you enjoy a cafetiere of freshly pressed coffee. A local GEM.
Amazing playgrounds, beautiful landscape and home to the massive Westfield shopping mall. Get here by train to Stratford from Hackney Central / Dalston Kingsland. If you'd prefer to avoid the mall and immerse yourself in Hackney's hipster scene, you can also get off at Hackney Wick and access the park from there. This family LOVES Hackney Wick - mindblowing streetart and super cafes, it's off the beaten track but brilliant.
755 helybéli ajánlásával
Queen Elizabeth Olimpiai Park
755 helybéli ajánlásával
Amazing playgrounds, beautiful landscape and home to the massive Westfield shopping mall. Get here by train to Stratford from Hackney Central / Dalston Kingsland. If you'd prefer to avoid the mall and immerse yourself in Hackney's hipster scene, you can also get off at Hackney Wick and access the park from there. This family LOVES Hackney Wick - mindblowing streetart and super cafes, it's off the beaten track but brilliant.
Another fabulous park (Hackney wins prizes for this stuff) with a wonderful cafe by the pond, 2 playgrounds (one on each side of the park), giant slides, a public paddling / splash pool area and a skateboarding park. If you've got little ones with you, make a day of this. The village is really cute too, plenty to see and do, particularly if you want to chill with some local families.
1666 helybéli ajánlásával
Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford Road
1666 helybéli ajánlásával
Another fabulous park (Hackney wins prizes for this stuff) with a wonderful cafe by the pond, 2 playgrounds (one on each side of the park), giant slides, a public paddling / splash pool area and a skateboarding park. If you've got little ones with you, make a day of this. The village is really cute too, plenty to see and do, particularly if you want to chill with some local families.

Arts & Culture

Great place to go (with or without kiddos) to see how London living has changed through the years. Stunning building with gorgeous gardens and great cafe.
326 helybéli ajánlásával
Museum of the Home
136 Kingsland Road
326 helybéli ajánlásával
Great place to go (with or without kiddos) to see how London living has changed through the years. Stunning building with gorgeous gardens and great cafe.
A nostalgic look at childhood, with regularly changing exhibitions and a brilliant gift shop. This nearby branch of the V & A is a 25 minute walk away and a gorgeous place to while away a morning with or without the kids. Good cafe too.
418 helybéli ajánlásával
V&A Gyermekmúzeum
Cambridge Heath Road
418 helybéli ajánlásával
A nostalgic look at childhood, with regularly changing exhibitions and a brilliant gift shop. This nearby branch of the V & A is a 25 minute walk away and a gorgeous place to while away a morning with or without the kids. Good cafe too.
One of Hackney's bigger galleries, child friendly, great stuff to see and there's a fab Japanese cafe behind called TocoNoco. Mainly photography at the moment, but exhibits ever-changing.
26 helybéli ajánlásával
Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art
32 Fitzroy Square
26 helybéli ajánlásával
One of Hackney's bigger galleries, child friendly, great stuff to see and there's a fab Japanese cafe behind called TocoNoco. Mainly photography at the moment, but exhibits ever-changing.
We love this place in Hackney Wick. It's a bit wacky, there's an artshop and a cafe, exhibits very contemporary, up and coming artists.
63 helybéli ajánlásával
Stour Space
7 Roach Rd
63 helybéli ajánlásával
We love this place in Hackney Wick. It's a bit wacky, there's an artshop and a cafe, exhibits very contemporary, up and coming artists.
One of London's leading contemporary art galleries. Defintely one for the grown ups...
Flowers East
82 Kingsland Road
One of London's leading contemporary art galleries. Defintely one for the grown ups...
This area is alive with streetart, galleries, cool stuff to discover. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you find it too gritty you can easily head to Westfield in the adjoining Olympic Park. If you love streetart and cutting edge contemporary art, you'll love this place. Just get off the train and have a wander, or walk down the canal from Broadway Market for a longer adventure.
23 helybéli ajánlásával
Hackney Wick Rail Station
White Post Lane
23 helybéli ajánlásával
This area is alive with streetart, galleries, cool stuff to discover. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you find it too gritty you can easily head to Westfield in the adjoining Olympic Park. If you love streetart and cutting edge contemporary art, you'll love this place. Just get off the train and have a wander, or walk down the canal from Broadway Market for a longer adventure.
With its brand new wing about to open, this is THE must see London gallery for culture vultures, art lovers or architecture buffs. It's a really relaxed space for kids, no snobbery here, with a brilliant selection of shops and cafes onsite. Walk across the Millennium Bridge (look out for Ben Wilson, Chewing Gum man!) to St. Paul's Cathedral or stroll along bankside taking in this wonderful city of ours!
2008 helybéli ajánlásával
Tate Modern
Bankside
2008 helybéli ajánlásával
With its brand new wing about to open, this is THE must see London gallery for culture vultures, art lovers or architecture buffs. It's a really relaxed space for kids, no snobbery here, with a brilliant selection of shops and cafes onsite. Walk across the Millennium Bridge (look out for Ben Wilson, Chewing Gum man!) to St. Paul's Cathedral or stroll along bankside taking in this wonderful city of ours!
Eco friendly theatre featuring the newest in green technologies and the best in new British theatre. Many shows transfer to bigger theatres, it's a launching pad for new palywrights, directors and actors. Often host family activities too, so worth checking out if you're into that kind of thing.
199 helybéli ajánlásával
Arcola Bar
24 Ashwin St
199 helybéli ajánlásával
Eco friendly theatre featuring the newest in green technologies and the best in new British theatre. Many shows transfer to bigger theatres, it's a launching pad for new palywrights, directors and actors. Often host family activities too, so worth checking out if you're into that kind of thing.

Shopping

Bustling market on Saturday and chock full of restaurants, independent boutiques and ace bookshops. One of London's most popular markets, hipster but happy ;)
1735 helybéli ajánlásával
Broadway Market
Broadway Market
1735 helybéli ajánlásával
Bustling market on Saturday and chock full of restaurants, independent boutiques and ace bookshops. One of London's most popular markets, hipster but happy ;)
Burberry is the flagship in Hackney's designer outlet shopping area, which also includes: Nike, Joseph, Anya Hindmarch, Pringle and more. This growing designer village is a must for fashionistas and bargain lovers alike. Watch out for the hoards of Chinese tourists every weekend! 10 minutes walk from the house.
12 helybéli ajánlásával
Burberry
21-23 New Bond St
12 helybéli ajánlásával
Burberry is the flagship in Hackney's designer outlet shopping area, which also includes: Nike, Joseph, Anya Hindmarch, Pringle and more. This growing designer village is a must for fashionistas and bargain lovers alike. Watch out for the hoards of Chinese tourists every weekend! 10 minutes walk from the house.
69B. Ethically sourced fashion, super hip and ace fantastic. There are lots of great shops on Broadway Market, but this is the best for female fashion.
69 Broadway Market
69 Broadway Market
69B. Ethically sourced fashion, super hip and ace fantastic. There are lots of great shops on Broadway Market, but this is the best for female fashion.
London's famous flower market happens every Sunday from early morning till 2pm. It's a MUST SEE for visitors to the city. There's great coffee, wonderful independent shops and the buzziest atmosphere in town. Bargain blooms, this place is beloved of locals and tourists alike.
1660 helybéli ajánlásával
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road
1660 helybéli ajánlásával
London's famous flower market happens every Sunday from early morning till 2pm. It's a MUST SEE for visitors to the city. There's great coffee, wonderful independent shops and the buzziest atmosphere in town. Bargain blooms, this place is beloved of locals and tourists alike.
This place is full of vintage stores, curry houses and streetart. Good to walk after a visit to chi-chi Columbia Road, en route to Spitalfields Market.
825 helybéli ajánlásával
Brick Lane vasárnapi piac
Brick Lane
825 helybéli ajánlásával
This place is full of vintage stores, curry houses and streetart. Good to walk after a visit to chi-chi Columbia Road, en route to Spitalfields Market.

Getting Around

Closest of 4 overground stations in the area. 2 stops to Highbury & Islington, where you switch to the tube (Victoria Line). Easy peasy.
148 helybéli ajánlásával
Dalston Junction station
148 helybéli ajánlásával
Closest of 4 overground stations in the area. 2 stops to Highbury & Islington, where you switch to the tube (Victoria Line). Easy peasy.
4 stops to Stratford, home to the giant Westfield shopping mall and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
98 helybéli ajánlásával
Hackney Central station
off Amhurst Rd
98 helybéli ajánlásával
4 stops to Stratford, home to the giant Westfield shopping mall and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The local Taxi Company +44( 0)207 254 7000 £45 to Stansted airport makes this place cheaper than the bus / train if there are 4 people. Very reliable. Not always the snazziest of cars, but you can be surprised and they always get you where you need to go. People carriers available (you'll need this for 4 or more people)
Queens Tyres
348 Queensbridge Road
The local Taxi Company +44( 0)207 254 7000 £45 to Stansted airport makes this place cheaper than the bus / train if there are 4 people. Very reliable. Not always the snazziest of cars, but you can be surprised and they always get you where you need to go. People carriers available (you'll need this for 4 or more people)

Essentials

Friendly convenience store with brilliant selection of fresh fruit and all the newspapers you could wish for.
16 helybéli ajánlásával
Greenwood Food & Wine
Greenwood Road
16 helybéli ajánlásával
Friendly convenience store with brilliant selection of fresh fruit and all the newspapers you could wish for.
Good dry cleaner, just around the corner.
The Laundry & Dry cleaning service
Good dry cleaner, just around the corner.
Great for fruit, veg, herbs, spices, bread, cheese and LAMB CHOPS. This is where we do our weekly shopping. Better selection and cheaper than the big stores.
25 helybéli ajánlásával
TFC Dalston
89 Ridley Rd
25 helybéli ajánlásával
Great for fruit, veg, herbs, spices, bread, cheese and LAMB CHOPS. This is where we do our weekly shopping. Better selection and cheaper than the big stores.
For all the basics, this is good for topping up after you've gotten the best stuff from TFC.
181 helybéli ajánlásával
Sainsbury's
112 High St
181 helybéli ajánlásával
For all the basics, this is good for topping up after you've gotten the best stuff from TFC.
Best pedicure in Hackney, possibly London, possibly the world. Cheap as chips, these funny Vietnamese ladies will sort the most hideous tootsies out for no more than £20. No booking required. ;)
New York Nails
Best pedicure in Hackney, possibly London, possibly the world. Cheap as chips, these funny Vietnamese ladies will sort the most hideous tootsies out for no more than £20. No booking required. ;)
If you happen to want your hair done while you're here, this is the place to go. Sophie for colour is sought after by models and mommas alike and Danielle for a cut is A+. Tell them Angie sent you ;)
Kennaland
143 Mare St
If you happen to want your hair done while you're here, this is the place to go. Sophie for colour is sought after by models and mommas alike and Danielle for a cut is A+. Tell them Angie sent you ;)
Michael is the king of the blow dry and the best source of local gossip. He also has a food blog, so he'll tell you all the best places to eat ;)
7 helybéli ajánlásával
Toppers of Hackney
65 Wilton Way
7 helybéli ajánlásával
Michael is the king of the blow dry and the best source of local gossip. He also has a food blog, so he'll tell you all the best places to eat ;)

Food Scene

Gorgeous Italian food
205 helybéli ajánlásával
LARDO
201 Richmond Rd
205 helybéli ajánlásával
Gorgeous Italian food
Brilliant selection of breads, great coffee, lovely for beakfast
272 helybéli ajánlásával
E5 Bakehouse
396 Mentmore Terrace
272 helybéli ajánlásával
Brilliant selection of breads, great coffee, lovely for beakfast
Best for a hearty breakfast and the most delightful service. No lattes here, but great filter coffee.
49 helybéli ajánlásával
Hash E8
170 Dalston Ln
49 helybéli ajánlásával
Best for a hearty breakfast and the most delightful service. No lattes here, but great filter coffee.
COFFEE! and the best boiled eggs and soldiers :)
105 helybéli ajánlásával
Allpress Espresso Roastery & Cafe
55 Dalston Ln
105 helybéli ajánlásával
COFFEE! and the best boiled eggs and soldiers :)
Steaks on an open grill. With chips and salad. And that's pretty much it. Book well in advance.
103 helybéli ajánlásával
Buen Ayre
50 Broadway Market
103 helybéli ajánlásával
Steaks on an open grill. With chips and salad. And that's pretty much it. Book well in advance.
Family run Turkish ocakbasi (open wood grill) on Mare Street. Cheap and delicious food for all the family, not fancy, packed with locals. Try the mackerel.
17 helybéli ajánlásával
Anatolia Restaurant
251-253 Mare St
17 helybéli ajánlásával
Family run Turkish ocakbasi (open wood grill) on Mare Street. Cheap and delicious food for all the family, not fancy, packed with locals. Try the mackerel.
Good for a special night out, fixed menu, excellent food, stylish space. Expect to pay about £50 per head without wine.
23 helybéli ajánlásával
Ellory - Hackney, London
1 Westgate Street
23 helybéli ajánlásával
Good for a special night out, fixed menu, excellent food, stylish space. Expect to pay about £50 per head without wine.
One of a number of excellent restaurants along this strip of Kingsland Road, it's mediterranean sharing food and ace cocktails. Mid range, expect to pay about £25 per head with a glass of wine.
93 helybéli ajánlásával
Rotorino
434 Kingsland Rd
93 helybéli ajánlásával
One of a number of excellent restaurants along this strip of Kingsland Road, it's mediterranean sharing food and ace cocktails. Mid range, expect to pay about £25 per head with a glass of wine.
If you can get a booking, take it. You'll be dining with all the coolest folk in town. Grown ups, not one for the kids. Shellfish a speciality.
141 helybéli ajánlásával
The Duke of Cambridge
30 Saint Peter's Street
141 helybéli ajánlásával
If you can get a booking, take it. You'll be dining with all the coolest folk in town. Grown ups, not one for the kids. Shellfish a speciality.
Shamazing. Limited number of tables available to book, otherwise you just walk in and take your chances. Worth waiting for. Sharing is caring.
162 helybéli ajánlásával
Morito
195 Hackney Rd
162 helybéli ajánlásával
Shamazing. Limited number of tables available to book, otherwise you just walk in and take your chances. Worth waiting for. Sharing is caring.
Family friendly Italian on Broadway Market. 30% off on Tuesdays...
55 helybéli ajánlásával
Bella Vita
53-57 Broadway Market
55 helybéli ajánlásával
Family friendly Italian on Broadway Market. 30% off on Tuesdays...
Best Indian restaurant in London. The lamb chops! The naan! Everything! There is always a queue. Get into it.
381 helybéli ajánlásával
Tayyabs
83-89 Fieldgate St
381 helybéli ajánlásával
Best Indian restaurant in London. The lamb chops! The naan! Everything! There is always a queue. Get into it.
Vegetarian Indian food, made and served by a mother and son team. It's fresh and delicious. White Rabbit across the road is good too. But totally different.
36 helybéli ajánlásával
Gujarati Rasoi Restaurant
10c Bradbury St
36 helybéli ajánlásával
Vegetarian Indian food, made and served by a mother and son team. It's fresh and delicious. White Rabbit across the road is good too. But totally different.
This place is home to London's hottest restaurant pop ups. At the moment, it's portuguese. Lovely vibe, good for big numbers, great beers on tap. Enjoy.
37 helybéli ajánlásával
Brat x Climpson's Arch
374 Helmsley Pl
37 helybéli ajánlásával
This place is home to London's hottest restaurant pop ups. At the moment, it's portuguese. Lovely vibe, good for big numbers, great beers on tap. Enjoy.
Great Japanese ramen place with good value homemade noodles and very tasty chilli sauce. There's another branch on Mare Street if you can't get in here...
139 helybéli ajánlásával
Tonkotsu East
1a Dunston St
139 helybéli ajánlásával
Great Japanese ramen place with good value homemade noodles and very tasty chilli sauce. There's another branch on Mare Street if you can't get in here...

Entertainment & Activities

Independent(ish) cinema, nice big seats, full bar and more culture than you can shake a stick at. Shows all the new releases and has comedy nights, acoustic performances, film festivals and the like. It's here or the Rio if you fancy a film, kids club Saturday mornings too!
445 helybéli ajánlásával
Hackney Picturehouse
270 Mare St
445 helybéli ajánlásával
Independent(ish) cinema, nice big seats, full bar and more culture than you can shake a stick at. Shows all the new releases and has comedy nights, acoustic performances, film festivals and the like. It's here or the Rio if you fancy a film, kids club Saturday mornings too!
independent cinema showing a mix of independent, arthouse and general release films. Kids club Saturdays and parent + child showings midweek. You get to change nappies on the stage. Fun times ;)
322 helybéli ajánlásával
Rio Cinema
107 Kingsland High Street
322 helybéli ajánlásával
independent cinema showing a mix of independent, arthouse and general release films. Kids club Saturdays and parent + child showings midweek. You get to change nappies on the stage. Fun times ;)
Very busy 50m open air swimming pool. £4.25 per person to enter, kids go free. Expect long queues on sunny days. Clean as a whistle inside. Better for small children is the adjoining paddling pool (FREE). Entrance beside the tennis court, lovely shaded area, ideal for picnics on really hot days.
591 helybéli ajánlásával
London Fields
London Fields West Side
591 helybéli ajánlásával
Very busy 50m open air swimming pool. £4.25 per person to enter, kids go free. Expect long queues on sunny days. Clean as a whistle inside. Better for small children is the adjoining paddling pool (FREE). Entrance beside the tennis court, lovely shaded area, ideal for picnics on really hot days.
Indoor soft play for kids. Ball pool, slides, bouncy castle, that kind of thing. Its a bit on the manky side, but show me an under 8 who doesn't love this place and I'll show you a... Oh, I dunno, they all LOVE it.
7 helybéli ajánlásával
Kidzmania
28 Powell Rd
7 helybéli ajánlásával
Indoor soft play for kids. Ball pool, slides, bouncy castle, that kind of thing. Its a bit on the manky side, but show me an under 8 who doesn't love this place and I'll show you a... Oh, I dunno, they all LOVE it.