Things to do in Hackney with kids

Hackney, innit? From city farms to museums, playgrounds to canals, there’s something for everyone in this diverse and creative community. If you’re looking for ways to keep your little ones entertained, we’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Hackney with your ankle biters.

10 cool facts about Hackney in East London

Hackney is a vibrant and historic borough in East London, with a rich and diverse culture. Here are 10 cool facts about Hackney that you might not know:

1. Hackney’s name comes from the Old English word “Haca’sey”, meaning “high ground in marshland owned by Haca”(Håkon), a local Viking landowner. The first records of the name date back to 1198.
2. It was once a rural area with woodlands and marshes, where medieval royals came to relax and enjoy outdoor life. Henry VIII even built a palace nearby, which was later demolished.
3. Hackney has many historic buildings, such as Sutton House, a Tudor mansion built by Sir Ralph Sadleir, a senior advisor to Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell. It is now a museum run by the National Trust.
4. It also has the oldest surviving civic building in London, St Augustine’s Tower, which dates back to the 13th century. It was part of the original parish church of Hackney, which was replaced by a new one in the late 1700s.
5. Hackney became more urban and industrial in the 19th and 20th centuries, with railways, factories and terraced houses. It also became home to many immigrants from different countries and cultures, such as Jewish, Irish, Caribbean and Asian communities.
6. It is known for its artistic and creative scene, with many galleries, theatres, studios and festivals. It is also the birthplace or residence of many famous artists, writers, musicians and actors, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Idris Elba, Michael Caine, Barbara Windsor, Leona Lewis and Zadie Smith.
7. The area has over 60 parks and green spaces, covering 25% of its area. Some of the most popular ones are Victoria Park, London Fields, Clissold Park and Hackney Marshes. Hackney Marshes is the largest area of common land in London and has over 80 football pitches.
8. Hackney is also home to part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. The park has many attractions, such as the Olympic Stadium, the London Aquatics Centre, the ArcelorMittal Orbit and the Lee Valley VeloPark.
9. It has a diverse and delicious food scene, with many restaurants, cafes, pubs and markets offering cuisines from around the world. Some of the most famous ones are Broadway Market, Ridley Road Market, Dalston Food Market and Mare Street Market.
10. The area around Hackney is a place of innovation and social change, with many initiatives and projects that aim to improve the lives of its residents and the environment. For example, Hackney has the highest number of cyclists in London, the first zero-emission street in Britain and the first plastic-free zone in Europe.

These are just some of the cool facts about Hackney that make it a unique and exciting place to visit or live in.