Trading in Dalston since the 1880s, Ridley Road Market is one of London’s oldest and most diverse street markets. Starting as a handful of fruit and veg sellers, it has now grown into a community of over 150 stalls. In the early 1900s, it predominantly served the area’s Jewish community before African, Caribbean, Turkish, Greek, South Asian and Polish traders moved in over the decades. The market runs Monday to Saturday and you can find fresh produce, fish, fabric, halal butchers and household goods. Once you’ve finished browsing the stalls, be sure to drop into Ridley Road Market Bar for a quick pick me up (or two). Ridley Road remains a genuine working market rather than a tourist stop, serving the neighbourhood the same way it always has.
"A historic street market that’s been running since the 1880s, it started as a market for Jewish communities but has developed with waves of migration to Hackney and is the African Caribbean soul of Hackney and an essential ecosystem for the community. What I love about the market is how quick and easy it is to get your fruit and veg whilst having a chat with the traders - you can also get a lush falafel wrap for £4.50! "
One of London’s “Magnificent Seven” Victorian cemeteries, Abney Park first opened in 1840 but is now run as a nature reserve. Wander along the wooded paths which wind between historic monuments, like the beautiful Gothic chapel, and memorials, including that of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. The cemetery is home to a wide range of wildlife, making it a perfect spot to escape the city for a quiet walk. Look out for volunteering opportuntities including litter picking and grave maintenance.
"One of London’s magnificent seven cemeteries - you really can get lost in here and feel a million miles away from cars and buildings. I love coming here for some peace and to be among the trees."
Dalston Superstore is a multitasker – it’s a queer bar, club, gallery, cafe, performance and community space, all wrapped into one. By day, there are drag brunches, queer art exhibitions and Essential Vegan cooking up burgers and sandwiches in the kitchen. And by night, regulars like Uncontrollable Urge collective and Femme Fraiche take over as the Superstore transforms into a club/performance space, pumping out disco, electro, techno and house tunes until 4am.
"As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was honoured to have this legendary queer venue’s support during my campaign to become mayor. We need queer spaces more than ever - Superstore is such a joyful space and I love how much they platform queer artists from their walls to their decks and their drag brunches! "
Run by the Hackney charity Children With Voices, the Community Food Hub provides fresh food and practical support to local families. What started as a single project has grown into four weekly food hubs across the borough, working with partners to rescue and redistribute surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. Since 2020, the charity has supported over 100,000 people. The hub runs parent workshops, food education sessions and community advice drop-ins, which focus on healthy eating cooking skills and SEND support.
"The people and organisations really make Hackney what it is. Started by Hackney charity Children with Voices during the pandemic, they support homeless people, older people and amplify young voices and support families through food, creativity and advice."
Hackney Marshes is known as the spiritual home of Sunday League football – at its peak there were 120 full-size pitches in use every Sunday morning. Today the Marshes still hold 82 pitches across football, rugby and cricket and is said to be the largest concentration of grass-roots sports pitches in Europe. If you’re not there for a kick-about, it’s a spot for walking, cycling and wildlife-watching. It’s also the start and finish line of the Hackney Half, so a visit might just inspire you to (finally) book your spot in the race.
"Hackney’s lungs. I love spending time walking round the marshes chatting with friends and listening to the birds. Some nice pubs along the River Lea too. "
Gillett Square is one of London’s leading public cultural spaces. It was developed in the mid-2000s turning a derelict site in the heart of Dalston into a public square surrounded by small trading units, workspaces and cultural venues. It’s home to the Dalston Culture House, which houses the legendary Vortex, alongside a row of market pods selling food and other goods. The square itself hosts a regular programme of markets, festivals and events, making it one of the more active public spaces in this part of east London. It is proof of how genuine community can be built in public spaces when creativity and culture are taken seriously.
"I volunteered for a few years as a bike mechanic in the square and got to know and love all the people that make it such a special space. I LOVE the Gillett Square parties and that it is home to NTS Radio. The Square is currently expanding after the car park was (finally) removed and will be getting more trees and places to sit."
The ESEA Community Centre, formerly known as Hackney Chinese Community Services, has served the East and Southeast Asian community across London since since 1987. Based at the beautiful Old Bath House in De Beauvoir, the centre supports the local community through a programme including a weekly Luncheon Club for older residents, workshops, film nights, food initiatives and cultural events covering everything from Lunar New Year celebrations to language classes. It’s a long-standing support hub for Hackney’s community, advocating for collective action to address shared concerns affecting the ESEA community.
"Such a wonderful community space catering to the East and South East Asian community, primarily for older people and the intergenerational nature of the space is really powerful. Their delicious lunch clubs are vibrant and full of life. I also loved seeing some very focused mahjong playing! "
Hackney School of Food is based in a former caretaker’s house on the site of Mandeville Primary School which has been transformed into a purpose-built food education centre. Here, it runs sessions for children and adults alike with the aim to make food education as engaging and accessible as possible, promoting healthy, culturally diverse, and nature-friendly food. The site includes a teaching kitchen, dining room plus a dedicated garden where they grow fresh produce to use in lessons.
"An important community food hub that’s teaching children and their families how to grow food, cook nourishing food from scratch and bring the joy of eating together."
Evolutionary Arts Hackney, aka EartH, is a stunning new arts space from the team behind Village Underground. Once an ABC cinema the main building was left derelict for years only to be rediscovered, restored and relaunched in 2019 – both the theatre (with seating) and the concert hall (standing) now host gigs, poetry readings, DJ sets, talks and more.
"A thriving centre that’s already deeply embedded in East London’s cultural arts scene. Their programming is broad, global but also local too - I’ve seen Malian musician Vieux Farka Touré as well as Lips, London’s trans-inclusive feminist pop choir in this beautiful space. They also host a lot of talks and events bringing people together to connect and fight for change. "
Built in the mid-1930s as the Eastway Baths, this Hackney Wick building once provided slipper baths and a laundry service at a time when few homes had their own. Now, it’s been revived as a cultural and community hub with a cafe, event spaces and artist studios. Since 2021, it’s also been home to Community Sauna Baths’ flagship site, bringing the building’s original purpose full circle.
"A beloved 1930s building in Hackney Wick, a not-for-profit space, fully run by Community Sauna Baths. We need more spaces in Hackney which are community owned and run. I also love this place because we gathered here to celebrate the election here on the 8th May which feels really special. "
