property, homes and houses for sale in South Hackney

South Hackney is fondly called Victoria Park Village... and with good reason.

Living in South Hackney

South Hackney is in the London Borough of Hackney, north of beautiful Victoria Park and adjacent to Well Street Common. Victoria Park was laid out in the 1840s and the substantial Victorian villas that characterise the area were built soon after.

In Tudor times, South Hackney consisted of small settlements around two moated houses. For a while, one house was occupied by a chimney sweep who employed young boys to clean chimneys. Both houses have gone but the Two Black Boys public house commemorates the children's dirty work.

However, South Hackney is fortunate to have retained many old buildings and much of the residential property is in solid mansion flats, converted commercial premises, large Victorian villas and traditional terraces of Victorian and Edwardian houses.

There is also property for sale in stylish contemporary apartments and townhouses, and in superior former local-authority blocks of flats.

South Hackney is served by excellent local shops, stores, restaurants and pubs. There are also neighbourhood markets and good access to public transport.

Most importantly there is Victoria Park, which is more than a breath of fresh air.

Transport

There is a good National Rail link to the City from London Fields and Cambridge Heath, stations that lie to the west of South Hackney.

To the north of South Hackney is Homerton Station, which lies on the London Overground between Stratford and Clapham Junction, Willesden Junction and Richmond.

Bethnal Green tube station is a short bus ride or a ten to fifteen-minute walk from South Hackney. It is on the Central Line, one stop from Liverpool Street and two stops from Bank.

For information regarding bus routes in South 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

Known locally as 'Vicky Park' - Victoria Park is a large, green, open space that borders Bethnal Green, South Hackney and Bow. Reminiscent of Regent's Park, though much less busy, it is one of the finest parks in London.

In 1831 London Bridge was demolished, and two pedestrian alcoves from the bridge are sited in the park near Hackney Wick war memorial. The alcoves have been Grade II listed since 1951.

Victoria Park's reputation as the 'People's Park' grew when it became the location for political meetings and rallies. During World War II, Victoria Park was closed to the public and became an anti-aircraft battery and a POW camp for Italian and German prisoners.

In recent times, Victoria Park has held music festivals and carnivals with themes such as anti-racism.

For families, Victoria Park is an essential amenity and includes a One O'clock Club for under-fives and numerous summer activities. The park is also home to Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets Athletics Club.

In the summer, cricket is played on the park's all-weather wickets and there are cricket nets freely available.

For further information regarding South Hackney and the London Borough of Hackney, please visit http://www.hackney.gov.uk/.