Local area
Hackney is fast becoming one of the most sought after places to
live, work and run businesses in London, boasting vibrant
multi-ethnic communities with a rich cultural heritage and
attractive open spaces.
Hackney has enormous strengths, diversity, contrast, energy and
great opportunities; we are in the centre of London, one of the
world’s most thriving cities!
We will also be hosting Olympic sports in 2012, and as a result,
the area is benefiting from significant regeneration and
redevelopment in the years leading up to these events.
Come and join us to be part of the positive changes taking
place!
Sports and Leisure
There dozens of exciting sporting activities around Hackney for
young and old alike. Here are just a few of the facilities Hackney
offers you:
- Over 70 football pitches on Hackney Marshes
- Tennis courts at Clissold Park, London Fields
- Hackney Downs, Springfield Park, and Millfields
- Bowling at Springfield Park
- Outdoor basketball courts at Hackney Downs and Millfields
- All weather artificial football pitch at Haggerston Park
- The West Reservoir Centre for canoeing and boating
- The Climbing Wall at the Water Tower Stoke Newington
- A variety of Gyms with concessions for students and the
elderly
Schools and colleges
Hackney has a wide range of schools and colleges, ranging from
State run to private and religious / supplementary schools.
Additional secondary school places and more specialist schools are
being developed.
Hackney also has 7 Libraries around the borough providing lending
and reference services for adults and children, study space, ICT
facilities (including FREE Internet access) and an annual programme
celebrating the cultural diversity of the borough.
Housing and Estate Agents
Hackney has a rich built heritage with 1250 listed buildings;
many with artistic connections reflecting back to the 18th century.
The area has a rich diversity of housing, ranging from Victorian
terraced houses, estates and new apartment developments. Hackney
has a vision to improve all council housing in line with the
government’s vision of ‘Decent Homes’ by 2010. Regeneration work is
taking place throughout the borough and Hackney’s house prices are
still rising despite falling house prices in other parts of
London.
Please see the useful links below for more information:
http://www.housing.nhs.uk/
This site aims to help potential and existing NHS staff with their
accommodation needs in finding appropriate and affordable
housing.
http://www.keyworkerliving.co.uk/
A government-led initiative to provide housing for “Key Workers”.
Please check via this site to see if you are eligible to meet the
required criteria.
http://www.hackney.gov.uk/housing-renting-private.pdf
If you are thinking of renting a property, this document provides
useful advice and guidance on the processes involved, and
information on your tenancy rights.
Properties for Sale
and Rent
This site lists properties for sale and to rent in the area and
throughout the country.
Local Estate Agents
This site lists all local estate agents in the Borough.
Ethnicity and Religion
Variety is the spice of life! And nowhere is this better
represented than in City & Hackney! With a total population of
approximately 250000, we make up one of the most economically and
ethnically diverse populations in the UK.
More than one third of our local population come from black or
ethnic backgrounds, ranging from Eastern Europe, Africa and the
Caribbean, to Turkey, Greece, Ethiopia, Somalia, India, Pakistan
and Bangladesh. A wide range of religions are practiced in the
area, with a strong tradition of mutual respect and tolerance.
Hackney is an area of great contrast, diversity, energy and
opportunity and is a vibrant place to live and work.
More information on
local religious and ethnic groups
Green Spaces
Hackney benefits from quality open spaces, including parks and
woodland, waterways and wetlands. We boast the largest expanse of
green space in the whole of inner London.
Hackney’s parks are alive with fun and family friendly events, from
circus performances to Tai Chi workshops.
There are a total of 62 parks, gardens and open spaces totalling
approximately 330 hectares, ranging from the largest concentration
of football pitches in Europe at Hackney Marshes to the beautiful
and historic settings of Springfield and Clissold parks.
Markets in City & Hackney
There are a host of local well known markets within the area.
Recently Broadway Market has had a revival, giving a traditional
East End feel coupled with trendy and sophisticated food, clothing
and jewellery stalls.
Hoxton and Well Street Markets also boast quality merchandise,
affordable for all, and for a global range of international foods,
fruit and vegetables, don’t miss the Kingsland Ridley Road market –
a feast for the senses!
Museums, Theatres & Cinemas
There are three independent cinemas in the area. The Rio, (with
its original Art Deco interior) is one of the few independent and
community run cinemas in the country and features a popular annual
Turkish film festival. The Africa at the Cinema Group showcases
African film, bringing African filmmakers to Hackney.
The Hackney Empire has recently been refurbished to its former
Edwardian splendour, and hosts popular shows by some of the world’s
best known performers, as well as hit shows and more locally
flavoured cabaret and variety. There is also a lively music scene
in Hackney and a wide variety of museums to visit, to suit a
variety of interests.
The links below will lead you to more information on local
places of interest:
The Geffrye Museum http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/
The Hackney Empire http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk%20/
Sutton House (National Trust)
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-suttonhouse/
The Arcola Theatre http://http//www.arcolatheatre.com/
Hackney Museum http://156.61.16.5/hackneymuseum/main.htm%20
The Rio Cinema http://www.riocinema.ndirect.co.uk/
The Vortex Jazz Club http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/
Eating out in City & Hackney
There is a global selection of restaurants, pubs and street
cafés in Hackney with a wide variety of delicious menus of food
from all over the world. The borough’s restaurants reflect the rich
cultural diversity within the area, ranging from the traditional
East End “Pie and Mash” shop to Asian, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese,
Turkish, Italian, Caribbean and African cuisines.
With a vibrant restaurant, club and bar scene in Dalston, Hoxton
and Shoreditch, and pavement cafés and fresh bread shops in Stoke
Newington and Clapton, many of the restaurants reflect the cultural
diversity of local residents - you will definitely be spoilt for
choice!
Transport links in City and Hackney
Transport links in the borough are developing fast, currently
there are several over ground train lines with direct lines to
central London via Liverpool Street. We are seeing a continued
increase in the number of bus lines in operation across the borough
and the extension to the East London line will also bring
underground tube links to the area within the next few years.
Transport for London - this
includes a very useful “journey planner” to help you find your way
around.
Olympics 2012
London will be hosting the 2012 Olympics! With the success of
London’s bid this is set to provide a massive boost for East London
in terms of plans for local regeneration. A historic opportunity to
transform the area for the better!
More information on the
Olympics