Whether you’re a day tripper or a local, many would regard Hackney as the unofficial centre of the East. Bordered by the leafy Clapton to the north and the grittier Bethnal Green to the south, the past few decades have seen a vast resurgence in the area’s fortunes. For a neighbourhood that is constantly evolving, the borough has a high concentration of historic property, from warehouse conversions, Georgian villas and Victorian terraces aplenty. Scattered amongst the housing stock are bountiful pockets of green, boasting the title of London’s greenest borough, Hackney has no less than 50 parks and public gardens for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Here is our guide to the must-see spots in the neighbourhood.

Chase & Sorensen

238B Dalston Lane, London E8 1LQ

Those with a penchant for all things Scandinavian will certainly feel at home at Chase & Sorensen. Housing a carefully curated selection of furniture, objects and lighting, new additions sourced directly from Northern Europe are added weekly to their store on Dalston Lane.

Arch389

389 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PN

Home to over 1500 square feet of vintage and mid-century treasures, it is hard to step into Arch389 and leave empty-handed. As the name would suggest, it is housed in one of the many repurposed railway arches, just moments from London Fields Overground Station.

TOKOBO Pottery

Unit 74 Regent Studios, 8 Andrews Road, London E8 4QN

Run by Japanese ceramicist, Mizuyo Yamashita, TOKOBO Pottery studios look out onto the bustling Broadway Market. As well as providing a working studio space for Mizuyo, TOKOBO Pottery offers classes for both the intermediate and beginner potter, whether you’re looking to level up your skills on the potter’s wheel or simply get your hands dirty throwing a pot.

Klei

Unit O Netil Market, 12-23 Westgate Street, London E8 3RL

Klei, which translates directly to clay, is a collective of local makers and ceramicists selling their wares from Netil Market. Founded by potters Jessica Joslin and Skye Corewijn, their shop often hosts exhibitions and private viewings of guest potters and their own members.

Yorkton Workshops

1-3 Yorkton Street, London E2 8NH

Nestled off Hackney Road on Yorkston Street lies Yorkton Workshops, the London design studio of Pearson Lloyd. The building’s conversion from a motley collection of dilapidated Victorian stables is the result of a collaboration with Cassion Castle Architects. Retaining its historic industrial aesthetic, the versatile gallery and event space is available to hire for a whole host of activities from photography shoots and exhibitions, to private meetings and product launches.

Yeast Bakery

Unit 1 Canal Place, 1-3 Sheep Lane, London E8 4QS

Having opened a brand new site a stone’s throw from Broadway Market, Yeast Bakery offers baked goods of the finest quality. Remaining true to their goal of creating the perfect croissant, this speciality viennoiserie bakery is family run and meticulous in their craft. If you’re wanting to avoid mingling with the weekend crowds at Broadway Market, this is worth a visit.

Wilton Way Deli

63 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG

Tucked away on a quiet residential street lies Wilton Way Deli, a must-stop for fresh pasta, homemade lasagne to take home, and wine from quality Italian vineyards. Their neighbours along Wilton Way include homewares and pottery shop Momosan, trendy bakery spot Violet, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Pidgin.

Peg

120 Morning Lane, London E9 6LH

Since its opening in 2019 and reopening in September 2021, Peg has quickly become a neighbourhood staple. Residing on Morning Lane, Peg is the newest edition to the collection of uber-trendy restaurants from the team who brought us P Franco and Bright. To avoid disappointment, a reservation is a must!

The Flâneur: A Guide to Hackney