Walking Hackney Shoreditch Spitalfields Culture and Politics

Hackney Town Hall is one of East London’s most striking civic buildings and a rewarding stop for tourists interested in architecture, history, and local culture. Located on Mare Street, the Grade II* listed building is best known for its elegant Art Deco style, completed in 1937. Its grand façade of Portland stone, clean lines, and tall columns reflect the optimism and modernity of the interwar period. Inside, visitors will find beautifully preserved interiors, including the Council Chamber, ceremonial rooms, and sweeping staircases, all showcasing geometric details, polished wood, and decorative metalwork typical of the era. The building has played an important role in Hackney’s public life for decades and is the Registery Office for local weddings, including my own. Next door is Hackney Empire is a grand 1901 music hall turned theatre, famed for its ornate interior, top comedy, theatre and music in East London.

London Fields is a lively green space in the heart of Hackney, popular with both locals and visitors looking to experience everyday London life. The park offers wide open lawns, tree-lined paths, and a relaxed, social atmosphere, especially on sunny days when people gather for picnics, games, and outdoor drinks. At its centre is the historic London Fields Lido, a heated outdoor swimming pool open year-round and a rare treat in the city. Thirty years ago this area was very poor and run down, with many buildings part of a thriving squatters movement.

Broadway Market is one of East London’s most vibrant and characterful streets, beloved by locals and visitors alike. Running between London Fields and Regent’s Canal, the market comes alive on Saturdays with stalls selling global street food, fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, and handmade crafts. The rest of the week, the street is lined with independent bookshops, cafés, wine bars, and boutiques, giving it a relaxed village feel in the middle of the city. Historic pubs sit alongside modern eateries, making it a great place to eat, drink, and people-watch. From the medieval days to the 1920s this was the main route for animals driven to Smithfield meat market.

Regent’s Canal in Hackney offers a peaceful escape from the busy streets of East London. Winding past London Fields and Broadway Market, this stretch of the canal is especially popular for relaxed walks, cycling, and waterside picnics. Narrowboats drift slowly by, adding to the calm, while trees, bridges, and old warehouses give the area a distinctive character. The towpath is lined with cafés, bars, and small creative spaces, making it easy to stop for a drink or a bite to eat. On warm days, the canal feels lively yet unhurried, with locals gathering along the water’s edge. We learn abot the industrial history of Hackney and see one of the original gas towers.

Hackney City Farm is a charming community farm that offers a surprising taste of the countryside in the heart of East London. Free to visit and family-friendly, it is home to farm animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, chickens, and rabbits. Visitors can wander through the yards, meet the animals up close, and learn about urban farming and sustainability. The farm also features gardens, a small café serving local food, and regular workshops and events. There was once a brewery on this site, bombed in the war. Next door is Hackney Children's hospital, where we learn about two insprational women.

Columbia Road is a colourful and much-loved street in East London, best known for its famous Sunday flower market. Every week, the road fills with stalls selling vibrant plants, flowers, and herbs, creating a lively, almost festival-like atmosphere. Traders call out their prices while visitors browse, take photos, and enjoy the scent and colour of the blooms. The rest of the week, Columbia Road is quieter and lined with independent shops, including art galleries, vintage stores, antiques dealers, and cosy cafés. The surrounding Victorian houses, the Jesus estate, add to its charm.

The Boundary Estate in Shoreditch is a historically important housing estate and a fascinating place to explore for visitors interested in London’s social history. Built in the late 19th century, it was the world’s first council housing estate, created to replace the overcrowded slums of the Old Nichol area. The red-brick apartment blocks are arranged around shared courtyards and streets, giving the estate a distinctive, village-like feel. At its centre is Arnold Circus, a raised circular garden built over former housing foundations, offering a quiet green space and views across the surrounding rooftops. Still a residential community today, the Boundary Estate tells an important story about urban reform and contrasts strikingly with the modern, creative energy of Shoreditch around it.

Brick Lane is one of East London’s most iconic and energetic streets, known for its mix of cultures, creativity, and food. Famous for its Bangladeshi curry houses, vintage shops, and street art, the area reflects generations of migration and reinvention. From Hugonot silk weavers to 100 years of Jewish life. On Sundays, Brick Lane and the surrounding streets host lively markets selling antiques, fashion, records, and global street food. The walls are constantly changing with bold murals and graffiti, making it a favourite spot for photographers and art lovers. By day it’s busy and eclectic; by night it fills with bars, music venues, and late-night eateries.

Brick Lane Mosque, officially known as the East London Mosque on Brick Lane, is a powerful symbol of the area’s layered history. The building has served different faiths over time, beginning as a Huguenot chapel in the 18th century, later becoming a Methodist church, then a synagogue, and finally a mosque reflecting the arrival of the Bangladeshi Muslim community. Its exterior still shows traces of these past lives, while today it functions as an active place of worship and community centre. Standing at the heart of Brick Lane, the mosque represents the area’s long tradition of migration, tolerance, and cultural change, making it a meaningful stop for visitors interested in London’s multicultural heritage.

Spitalfields Market is one of London’s most historic and vibrant markets, located under the shadow of the stunning 18th-century Hawksmoor's Christchurch. The market has been a hub for trade since the 17th century and today offers a mix of contemporary fashion, antiques, art, handmade crafts, and gourmet street food. Its elegant Victorian market halls and cobbled streets create a charming atmosphere that blends old-world character with modern creativity. On the corner is the Ten Bells where two of Jack the Ripper's victims frequented.