My list of Ten Things To Do In Hackney Wick explores the vibrant district of East London, E9. The area is home to a thriving creative community with an abundance of industrial artist warehouses and walls awash with colourful street art. Overlooking the scenic River Lee, Hackney Wick benefits from water activities and many canalside eateries, bars and micro-breweries. There’s a hippy and counter-culture vibe, evident from the area’s communal, sharing and sustainable food focus. Opposite, you’ll see the iconic stadiums and arenas at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Next door is Fish Island, another haven for artists, and the lovely leafy Victoria Park is nearby. Hackney Wick should be on your list if you’re looking for an exciting part of East London to explore.
Ten Things To Do In Hackney Wick List:
1. Instagram the colourful street art
2. Join a creative art or music community
3. Saunter along the scenic banks of the River Lee
4. Drink at the independent micro-breweries or bars
5. Brunch at Pearl Hackney Wick
6. Feel good with sustainable dining at Grow and Silo
7. Purchase your zero-waste groceries from Refill Therapy
8. Buy vintage clothing and retro fashion
9. Release your pent-up aggression with axe throwing at Skeeters
10. Sweat it out at the Hackney Wick Sauna Baths
My Favourite Ten Things To Do In Hackney Wick London
- Hackney Wick is awash with colourful street art on walls, buildings, lamp posts and other outdoor surfaces. It’s a great place to gather impressive photographs for Instagram.
2. Hackney Wick and Fish Island (HWFI) is the Mayor of London’s first designated Creative Enterprise Zone, so it’s brimming with creative communities to join. A few to mention are; Grow Hackney Studios (for collaborative creatives), Hackney Wick Underground (work and retail space for artists and makers), Trowbridge Gardens (art and well-being venture), Cell Studios (space for artists), Mainyard Studios (desks, offices and music studios) and Arbeit (music and artist studios).
3. Saunter along the banks of the River Lee (and Lea), where you’ll find beautiful barges, street art and canalside eateries. Those feeling energetic can hire a canoe and paddle down the river.
4. Hackney Wick has a collection of independent micro-breweries. Check out the Crate Brewery for beer and stone-baked pizza on the banks of the River Lea. They have a shop upstairs selling home accessories, gifts and beer. On the canal, you’ll see Alfred Le Roy, their barge where customers can eat and drink. Other breweries include Howling Hops, Old Street Brewery and the Beer Merchants Tap. The White Post Bar and Café is a canalside venue with live music, drinks and a Pieminister menu. No 90 Bar and Kitchen overlooks the River Lea; the menu features a selection of burgers and Sunday roasts with vegan and veggie options. The Yard Theatre has a bar and Kitchen. HWK Coffee, Bar and Lot is a modular restaurant, café and events space next to Hackney Wick Station.
5. If you’re feeling peckish, I recommend Pearl Hackney Wick, Hackney’s most loved brunch spot. They serve big meaty, veggie and vegan breakfasts along with Huevos Rancheros and Burgers. There are plenty of outside bench tables to enjoy alfresco dining in the sunshine.
6. Feel good by eating sustainable at Grow and Silo. Grow is a canalside community café overlooking the River Lea. They serve vegan frittata and banana walnut loaf for brunch and Lebanese-style dishes for lunch and dinner. Seek out the on-site social enterprise bakery and order a community veg box scheme. Above the Crate Brewery on the first floor is Silo, a zero-waste restaurant by award-winning chef Douglas McMaster.
7. Keep up your sustainable life by purchasing unpackaged goods from Refill Therapy’s zero-waste store. They sell high-quality plant-based bio-gradable products, including coffee, cereal, pasta, household cleaning and more. Bring your containers and weigh before filling them up.
8. Vintage and retro clothing lovers will be happy rummaging around Vintage Threads, East End Vintage Clothing or the Vintage Clothing at The White Post on Saturday and Sunday. Keep your eyes open for vintage pop-up stalls at the Hackney Wick Underground Market. Across the River Lea in Stratford, you can check out Getup Yesterday at the Echo Building.
9. Get rid of your pent-up aggression with axe throwing at Skeeters. They will show you how to throw an axe safely, and you can also enjoy a few cocktails, craft beers and bottomless brunch. Hopefully, not at the same time because you may need to have a clear head while throwing the axes!
10. After a hard day being creative, you may want to sweat it at the Hackney Wick Sauna Baths. You can take advantage of the wood-fired sauna and cold plunge for physical and mental health benefits at The Eastway Baths in Hackney Wick, an old Public bath dating back to the 1930s.
Watch My Hackney Wick Videos
Above is a video of my favourite things to do in Hackney Wick; below is a street art video.
Ten Things To Do In Hackney Wick London Information
Hackney wick is in the London Borough of Hackney. Next door, you will find Fish Island, another industrial area with artist warehouses and colourful street art. The River Lea runs past Hackney Wick, giving the area a relaxing vibe.
On the opposite side of the River is Stratford and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park so that you can see all the impressive stadiums and arenas.
A short walk past the Olympic Park is Wick Woodland and Hackney Marshes should you be craving nature and open green spaces.
The Hackney Wick Overground Station transports you to the heart of the area. Another option is travelling to Stratford and walking to Hackney Wick across one of the bridges. Before crossing, you may want to explore a few canalside eateries, including the Kitchen (street food hall) at Hackney Bridge, the collection of restaurants and bars at Here East and the floating restaurant at Barge East.
Victoria Park and Victoria Park Village are close by should you wish to continue exploring the area further.
Please read my relevant posts for more information:
Hackney Wick East London Guide
Ten Things To Do On Fish Island
Ten Things To Do In Stratford East London
Ten Things To Do In Victoria Park Village
Visit Victoria Park East London
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Please check that the places I referenced in this article are still in business before you visit to avoid disappointment.
