property, homes and houses for sale in Hackney

Hackney's regeneration and influx of City workers has given it back its aitch!

Living in Hackney

The London Borough of Hackney covers thirty-six square miles of East London.

At its heart is Hackney Central, which was the original Hackney Village. To the north are Hackney Downs, to the east lie Hackney Marsh and Hackney Wick, to the south east are Well Street Common and Victoria Park, known as South Hackney, and to the west are Dalston and Kingsland.

For many years Hackney was a place to avoid but since the turn of the millennium Hackney has been on the up. Extensive regeneration of social housing estates, the redevelopment of commercial buildings into lofts and apartments and a new broom sweeping parks and public spaces, have encouraged a fresh wave of immigrants from the City of London.

Most encouragingly, many of the blocks of council flats that helped to cause so much of the urban squalor have been replaced in recent years by new developments of affordable housing.

Heavy industry that employed legions of workers in the Lee Valley and in neighbouring Homerton has mostly gone and now Hackney Borough Council and Homerton University Hospital are the principal local employers.

Streets in Dalston and Kingsland are lined with large Victorian villas that are proving especially popular with more affluent families. The most sought-after houses in Central Hackney, however, are near London Fields as they look out onto the beautiful park.

For singles and couples, Kingsland Basin has attractive waterside apartments, and the old Hackney Institute on Dalston Lane has been converted into sizeable lofts.

Transport

Hackney is missing a tube station but it has a good National Rail link to the City from the station at London Fields. Also, when the East London Line is completed between Dalston Junction and West Croydon in 2010, it will have a direct link to the Docklands.

Stations at Hackney Wick, Homerton, Hackney Central and Dalston Kingsland are all on the London Overground, lying between Stratford and Clapham Junction and Richmond via Willesden Junction.

For information regarding bus routes in Hackney please visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/default.aspx.

For details of train services throughout the UK please visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/.

History and culture

Hackney Town Hall was built in the 1930s and has been completely restored. The majestic white stone exterior looks stunning and much of the original Art Deco interior remains.

Built in 1901, the much-loved Hackney Empire with its electric lights was a technological wonder. Charlie Chaplin appeared a number of times, and Stan Laurel perfected his act upon its boards.

The Empire's biggest star was singer, comedienne and 'Queen of the Music Hall' Marie Lloyd, who lived near the theatre on Graham Road.

In 2001, the Empire's centenary year, Griff Rhys Jones announced that after many years of hard work the Empire had raised £15 million to fund the restoration of the theatre. Three years later the work was completed and the theatre reopened in 2004.

For information on current and forthcoming productions please visit http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/.

The Rio Cinema, situated in Kingsland High Street, is also a popular haunt, and Hackney's Holy Trinity Church doubles as a clown museum in memory of the legendary Joe Grimaldi.

For information on films showing at the Rio please click http://www.riocinema.ndirect.co.uk/.

Hackney has plenty of art galleries and community centres and loads of green spaces, including London Fields, Hackney Downs and Victoria Park.

The Grand Union Canal is perfect for gentle strolls, and Hackney Marsh is a wonderful utility for sports, walks and recreation.

For current information regarding Hackney please visit http://www.hackney.gov.uk/