Guidebook for London
Parks & Nature
Gorgeous park with 50 metre open air lido (swimming pool), tennis courts and an excellent FREE paddling pool (tucked in behind the lido). There are 2 playgrounds for kiddies and some lovely pubs. Gets a bit mad on sunny weekends, when all the hipsters break out their barbecues, but it's 2 minutes up the road and great for a swim. Be prepared to queue if you fancy a dip. It costs £4.25 per adult, kids go free.
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London Fields
Gorgeous park with 50 metre open air lido (swimming pool), tennis courts and an excellent FREE paddling pool (tucked in behind the lido). There are 2 playgrounds for kiddies and some lovely pubs. Gets a bit mad on sunny weekends, when all the hipsters break out their barbecues, but it's 2 minutes up the road and great for a swim. Be prepared to queue if you fancy a dip. It costs £4.25 per adult, kids go free.
Great for joggers or cyclists, you can walk to Islington or all the way to the Limehouse Basin via Victoria Park. Try the Towpath Cafe, Proud East or any of the other gorgeous spots for brunch or coffee.
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Regents Canal
Great for joggers or cyclists, you can walk to Islington or all the way to the Limehouse Basin via Victoria Park. Try the Towpath Cafe, Proud East or any of the other gorgeous spots for brunch or coffee.
A disused piece of land utterly transformed into an urban oasis. Bring the kids for a stone baked pizza and a craft class while you enjoy a cafetiere of freshly pressed coffee. A local GEM.
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Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
A disused piece of land utterly transformed into an urban oasis. Bring the kids for a stone baked pizza and a craft class while you enjoy a cafetiere of freshly pressed coffee. A local GEM.
Amazing playgrounds, beautiful landscape and home to the massive Westfield shopping mall. Get here by train to Stratford from Hackney Central / Dalston Kingsland. If you'd prefer to avoid the mall and immerse yourself in Hackney's hipster scene, you can also get off at Hackney Wick and access the park from there. This family LOVES Hackney Wick - mindblowing streetart and super cafes, it's off the beaten track but brilliant.
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Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Amazing playgrounds, beautiful landscape and home to the massive Westfield shopping mall. Get here by train to Stratford from Hackney Central / Dalston Kingsland. If you'd prefer to avoid the mall and immerse yourself in Hackney's hipster scene, you can also get off at Hackney Wick and access the park from there. This family LOVES Hackney Wick - mindblowing streetart and super cafes, it's off the beaten track but brilliant.
Another fabulous park (Hackney wins prizes for this stuff) with a wonderful cafe by the pond, 2 playgrounds (one on each side of the park), giant slides, a public paddling / splash pool area and a skateboarding park. If you've got little ones with you, make a day of this. The village is really cute too, plenty to see and do, particularly if you want to chill with some local families.
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Pavilion Cafe Victoria Park
Another fabulous park (Hackney wins prizes for this stuff) with a wonderful cafe by the pond, 2 playgrounds (one on each side of the park), giant slides, a public paddling / splash pool area and a skateboarding park. If you've got little ones with you, make a day of this. The village is really cute too, plenty to see and do, particularly if you want to chill with some local families.
Arts & Culture
Great place to go (with or without kiddos) to see how London living has changed through the years. Stunning building with gorgeous gardens and great cafe.
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Museum des Hauses
Great place to go (with or without kiddos) to see how London living has changed through the years. Stunning building with gorgeous gardens and great cafe.
A nostalgic look at childhood, with regularly changing exhibitions and a brilliant gift shop. This nearby branch of the V & A is a 25 minute walk away and a gorgeous place to while away a morning with or without the kids. Good cafe too.
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Young V&A
A nostalgic look at childhood, with regularly changing exhibitions and a brilliant gift shop. This nearby branch of the V & A is a 25 minute walk away and a gorgeous place to while away a morning with or without the kids. Good cafe too.
We love this place in Hackney Wick. It's a bit wacky, there's an artshop and a cafe, exhibits very contemporary, up and coming artists.
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Stour Space
We love this place in Hackney Wick. It's a bit wacky, there's an artshop and a cafe, exhibits very contemporary, up and coming artists.
Flowers East
One of London's leading contemporary art galleries. Defintely one for the grown ups...
This area is alive with streetart, galleries, cool stuff to discover. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you find it too gritty you can easily head to Westfield in the adjoining Olympic Park. If you love streetart and cutting edge contemporary art, you'll love this place. Just get off the train and have a wander, or walk down the canal from Broadway Market for a longer adventure.
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Hackney Wick
This area is alive with streetart, galleries, cool stuff to discover. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you find it too gritty you can easily head to Westfield in the adjoining Olympic Park. If you love streetart and cutting edge contemporary art, you'll love this place. Just get off the train and have a wander, or walk down the canal from Broadway Market for a longer adventure.
With its brand new wing about to open, this is THE must see London gallery for culture vultures, art lovers or architecture buffs. It's a really relaxed space for kids, no snobbery here, with a brilliant selection of shops and cafes onsite. Walk across the Millennium Bridge (look out for Ben Wilson, Chewing Gum man!) to St. Paul's Cathedral or stroll along bankside taking in this wonderful city of ours!
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Tate Gallery of Modern Art
With its brand new wing about to open, this is THE must see London gallery for culture vultures, art lovers or architecture buffs. It's a really relaxed space for kids, no snobbery here, with a brilliant selection of shops and cafes onsite. Walk across the Millennium Bridge (look out for Ben Wilson, Chewing Gum man!) to St. Paul's Cathedral or stroll along bankside taking in this wonderful city of ours!
Eco friendly theatre featuring the newest in green technologies and the best in new British theatre. Many shows transfer to bigger theatres, it's a launching pad for new palywrights, directors and actors. Often host family activities too, so worth checking out if you're into that kind of thing.
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Arcola Bar
Eco friendly theatre featuring the newest in green technologies and the best in new British theatre. Many shows transfer to bigger theatres, it's a launching pad for new palywrights, directors and actors. Often host family activities too, so worth checking out if you're into that kind of thing.
Shopping
Bustling market on Saturday and chock full of restaurants, independent boutiques and ace bookshops. One of London's most popular markets, hipster but happy ;)
Broadway Market
Bustling market on Saturday and chock full of restaurants, independent boutiques and ace bookshops. One of London's most popular markets, hipster but happy ;)
Burberry is the flagship in Hackney's designer outlet shopping area, which also includes: Nike, Joseph, Anya Hindmarch, Pringle and more. This growing designer village is a must for fashionistas and bargain lovers alike. Watch out for the hoards of Chinese tourists every weekend! 10 minutes walk from the house.
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BURBERRY
Burberry is the flagship in Hackney's designer outlet shopping area, which also includes: Nike, Joseph, Anya Hindmarch, Pringle and more. This growing designer village is a must for fashionistas and bargain lovers alike. Watch out for the hoards of Chinese tourists every weekend! 10 minutes walk from the house.
69B. Ethically sourced fashion, super hip and ace fantastic. There are lots of great shops on Broadway Market, but this is the best for female fashion.
69 Broadway Market, London E8 4PG, Vereinigtes Königreich
69B. Ethically sourced fashion, super hip and ace fantastic. There are lots of great shops on Broadway Market, but this is the best for female fashion.
London's famous flower market happens every Sunday from early morning till 2pm. It's a MUST SEE for visitors to the city. There's great coffee, wonderful independent shops and the buzziest atmosphere in town. Bargain blooms, this place is beloved of locals and tourists alike.
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Columbia Road Flower Market
London's famous flower market happens every Sunday from early morning till 2pm. It's a MUST SEE for visitors to the city. There's great coffee, wonderful independent shops and the buzziest atmosphere in town. Bargain blooms, this place is beloved of locals and tourists alike.
This place is full of vintage stores, curry houses and streetart. Good to walk after a visit to chi-chi Columbia Road, en route to Spitalfields Market.
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Die Truman Brauerei
This place is full of vintage stores, curry houses and streetart. Good to walk after a visit to chi-chi Columbia Road, en route to Spitalfields Market.
Getting Around
Closest of 4 overground stations in the area. 2 stops to Highbury & Islington, where you switch to the tube (Victoria Line). Easy peasy.
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Dalston Junction Station
Closest of 4 overground stations in the area. 2 stops to Highbury & Islington, where you switch to the tube (Victoria Line). Easy peasy.
4 stops to Stratford, home to the giant Westfield shopping mall and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
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Hackney Central
4 stops to Stratford, home to the giant Westfield shopping mall and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The local Taxi Company +44( 0)207 254 7000
£45 to Stansted airport makes this place cheaper than the bus / train if there are 4 people. Very reliable.
Not always the snazziest of cars, but you can be surprised and they always get you where you need to go.
People carriers available (you'll need this for 4 or more people)
Queens Tyres
The local Taxi Company +44( 0)207 254 7000
£45 to Stansted airport makes this place cheaper than the bus / train if there are 4 people. Very reliable.
Not always the snazziest of cars, but you can be surprised and they always get you where you need to go.
People carriers available (you'll need this for 4 or more people)
Essentials
Friendly convenience store with brilliant selection of fresh fruit and all the newspapers you could wish for.
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Greenwood Food & Wine | Dalston
Friendly convenience store with brilliant selection of fresh fruit and all the newspapers you could wish for.
Great for fruit, veg, herbs, spices, bread, cheese and LAMB CHOPS. This is where we do our weekly shopping. Better selection and cheaper than the big stores.
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TFC Dalston
Great for fruit, veg, herbs, spices, bread, cheese and LAMB CHOPS. This is where we do our weekly shopping. Better selection and cheaper than the big stores.
For all the basics, this is good for topping up after you've gotten the best stuff from TFC.
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Sainsbury's
For all the basics, this is good for topping up after you've gotten the best stuff from TFC.
Michael is the king of the blow dry and the best source of local gossip. He also has a food blog, so he'll tell you all the best places to eat ;)
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Toppers of Hackney
Michael is the king of the blow dry and the best source of local gossip. He also has a food blog, so he'll tell you all the best places to eat ;)
Food Scene
LARDO
Gorgeous Italian food
Brilliant selection of breads, great coffee, lovely for beakfast
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E5 Bakehouse
Brilliant selection of breads, great coffee, lovely for beakfast
Best for a hearty breakfast and the most delightful service. No lattes here, but great filter coffee.
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Hash E8 (Dalston Lane)
Best for a hearty breakfast and the most delightful service. No lattes here, but great filter coffee.
COFFEE!
and the best boiled eggs and soldiers :)
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Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe
COFFEE!
and the best boiled eggs and soldiers :)
Steaks on an open grill. With chips and salad. And that's pretty much it. Book well in advance.
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Buen Ayre
Steaks on an open grill. With chips and salad. And that's pretty much it. Book well in advance.
Family run Turkish ocakbasi (open wood grill) on Mare Street. Cheap and delicious food for all the family, not fancy, packed with locals. Try the mackerel.
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Anatolia Restaurant
Family run Turkish ocakbasi (open wood grill) on Mare Street. Cheap and delicious food for all the family, not fancy, packed with locals. Try the mackerel.
Good for a special night out, fixed menu, excellent food, stylish space. Expect to pay about £50 per head without wine.
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Ellory - Hackney, London
Good for a special night out, fixed menu, excellent food, stylish space. Expect to pay about £50 per head without wine.
One of a number of excellent restaurants along this strip of Kingsland Road, it's mediterranean sharing food and ace cocktails. Mid range, expect to pay about £25 per head with a glass of wine.
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Rotorino
One of a number of excellent restaurants along this strip of Kingsland Road, it's mediterranean sharing food and ace cocktails. Mid range, expect to pay about £25 per head with a glass of wine.
If you can get a booking, take it. You'll be dining with all the coolest folk in town. Grown ups, not one for the kids. Shellfish a speciality.
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The Duke Organic
If you can get a booking, take it. You'll be dining with all the coolest folk in town. Grown ups, not one for the kids. Shellfish a speciality.
Shamazing. Limited number of tables available to book, otherwise you just walk in and take your chances. Worth waiting for. Sharing is caring.
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Morito
Shamazing. Limited number of tables available to book, otherwise you just walk in and take your chances. Worth waiting for. Sharing is caring.
Family friendly Italian on Broadway Market. 30% off on Tuesdays...
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Bella Vita - Broadway
Family friendly Italian on Broadway Market. 30% off on Tuesdays...
Best Indian restaurant in London. The lamb chops! The naan! Everything! There is always a queue. Get into it.
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Tayyabs
Best Indian restaurant in London. The lamb chops! The naan! Everything! There is always a queue. Get into it.
Vegetarian Indian food, made and served by a mother and son team. It's fresh and delicious.
White Rabbit across the road is good too. But totally different.
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Gujarati Rasoi Restaurant
Vegetarian Indian food, made and served by a mother and son team. It's fresh and delicious.
White Rabbit across the road is good too. But totally different.
This place is home to London's hottest restaurant pop ups. At the moment, it's portuguese. Lovely vibe, good for big numbers, great beers on tap. Enjoy.
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Brat x Climpson's Arch
This place is home to London's hottest restaurant pop ups. At the moment, it's portuguese. Lovely vibe, good for big numbers, great beers on tap. Enjoy.
Great Japanese ramen place with good value homemade noodles and very tasty chilli sauce. There's another branch on Mare Street if you can't get in here...
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Tonkotsu East
Great Japanese ramen place with good value homemade noodles and very tasty chilli sauce. There's another branch on Mare Street if you can't get in here...
Entertainment & Activities
Independent(ish) cinema, nice big seats, full bar and more culture than you can shake a stick at. Shows all the new releases and has comedy nights, acoustic performances, film festivals and the like. It's here or the Rio if you fancy a film, kids club Saturday mornings too!
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Hackney Picturehouse
Independent(ish) cinema, nice big seats, full bar and more culture than you can shake a stick at. Shows all the new releases and has comedy nights, acoustic performances, film festivals and the like. It's here or the Rio if you fancy a film, kids club Saturday mornings too!
independent cinema showing a mix of independent, arthouse and general release films. Kids club Saturdays and parent + child showings midweek. You get to change nappies on the stage. Fun times ;)
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Rio Cinema
independent cinema showing a mix of independent, arthouse and general release films. Kids club Saturdays and parent + child showings midweek. You get to change nappies on the stage. Fun times ;)
Very busy 50m open air swimming pool. £4.25 per person to enter, kids go free. Expect long queues on sunny days. Clean as a whistle inside. Better for small children is the adjoining paddling pool (FREE). Entrance beside the tennis court, lovely shaded area, ideal for picnics on really hot days.
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London Fields
Very busy 50m open air swimming pool. £4.25 per person to enter, kids go free. Expect long queues on sunny days. Clean as a whistle inside. Better for small children is the adjoining paddling pool (FREE). Entrance beside the tennis court, lovely shaded area, ideal for picnics on really hot days.
Indoor soft play for kids. Ball pool, slides, bouncy castle, that kind of thing. Its a bit on the manky side, but show me an under 8 who doesn't love this place and I'll show you a... Oh, I dunno, they all LOVE it.
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Kidzmania
Indoor soft play for kids. Ball pool, slides, bouncy castle, that kind of thing. Its a bit on the manky side, but show me an under 8 who doesn't love this place and I'll show you a... Oh, I dunno, they all LOVE it.