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Things to do in London Borough of Hackney

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Relax in hidden green spaces with a permaculturist

Uncover the natural beauty of London while learning about edible and medicinal plants. Meet and harvest Gather at Hackney Herbal and pick some fresh herbs. Stroll Hackney Wick Spot plants by the canal and discuss Wick Woodland history. Move to the Marshes See the wonders of Hackney Marshes and enjoy foraged tea. Visit the sculptures Spot some wildlife and witness Nature's Throne artworks. End at the pub Wrap up at the Prince of Wales pub for a drink or a bite.

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Paddle London’s Olympic waterways

Canoe East London’s canals and locks, through its nature and history. Meet up and gear up Complete the waiver, grab a paddle, and get your life vest. Pass through lock Learn how locks work and float through one yourself Hear local stories Learn how the 2012 Olympics transformed East London. Spot wildlife Look for herons, swans, and willows along the banks. Pause and reflect Consider the transformation you’ve witnessed on water.

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Create a luxe souvenir with a biodesigner

Craft a bespoke London-themed keychain in this eco design workshop. Gather at the gate Meet at Abney Park and learn regenerative design principles. Choose your design Select a London motif and learn the basics of embroidery. Create your piece Stitch your keychain using couture materials and biosequins. Share and snap Wrap up by sharing your work and taking a group photo.

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Turn London snaps into a handmade zine

Print a paper keepsake at Photobook happy hour with a pro photographer. Enter Photobook cafe Explore the zine history and get inspired by a vast archive located in our cafe. Whilst you have a browse grab a drink from out bar. Design your own zine Select phone pics to turn them into a personalized keepsake. Sip, socialize and curate Have a drink on us as you curate your design, send to print! The fold, staple and trim.

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Create a custom football jersey at a Shoreditch football bar

London’s 17 professional football clubs ensure that the game—and its ever-changing style—are woven into the fabric of the city. In my friendly football-themed craft beer pub, I’ll guide you through kit history and help you make your own shirt. • We’ll explore classic football shirt designs, tracking their evolution through the lens of London’s design culture. • I’ll help you design and make your own football shirt, even heat-pressing your name, number, and other customizable elements. • We’ll wrap up by watching a historic England match on the big screen in a reserved private booth while you enjoy a special It’s Coming Home lager from our own Match Day Brewery. You’ll leave wearing the kit you’ve always secretly wanted, and with a deeper appreciation for football’s role in the life of the city.

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Explore London’s flower market and craft your own bouquet

With a hot drink in hand from my favorite coffee shop, spend the morning with me, an experienced florist, learning the rich history of the Columbia Road Flower Market in East London. Stroll through the bustling stalls, selecting your own fresh blooms before heading back to my workshop for a hands-on bouquet-making session. • You’ll skip the crowds and enjoy VIP access at one of the busiest stalls at the market, and get insider knowledge on seasonal blooms and one-on-one advice along the way. • After picking up flowers, we’ll take a scenic walk down Brick Lane, soaking in its street art and vibrant atmosphere. At the studio, you’ll learn the art of spiraling and bouquet arrangement in an intimate workshop setting. • Our workshop wraps up with a Q&A, where you’ll learn expert flower care tips to keep your arrangement fresh long after you head home. Columbia Road Flower Market is a bustling botanical paradise in London's East End. With me as your guide, you’ll see it through the lens of someone who knows its hidden corners and long-standing traders, and leave with not only a beautiful handcrafted bouquet but also a deeper appreciation for the craft, the market’s history, and the stories behind every stem.

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5 out of 5 average rating, 3 reviews

Hackney & London Fields - the shepherd's route to market

Join me for a walk through vibrant Hackney as we follow the shepherd’s route that they took as they drove their flocks to Smithfield market. We will look at the buildings that line this back route, as we make our way form Hackney’s old town hall to the top of famous Brick Lane. We pass the Hackney Empire and the "new" town hall and on through London Fields as the animals walked. We will see their presence in the street names, Lamb Lane, Sheep Lane and the Cat and Mutton pub. We see the Fields as they are used today, as a people’s park, full of recreational activities. We will learn about the history of this area including the beautiful early Georgian houses on the edge of the Fields. We will talk about the squatters movement that challenged the local authority. We head through Broadway market, an amazing food destination at weekends. We go up to the Regents Canal and view the great iron Gas Works. Over Cat and Mutton Bridge where we will hear about the coming of the canal and how that changed the movement of goods. Then on down Goldsmiths Row, where we take a quick peek at Hackney City Farm, if its open, to view the animals that would have walked this route. On through Columbia Road, a famous Sunday flower market. We explore the Boundary Estate, the first local authority housing in London. The we stop at the top of historic Brick Lane at the Beigal bakery.

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 191 reviews

Secret Old London

Walking through the ancient streets of London, you'll learn what lies beneath your feet, from 14th century Black Death victims to a long lost Roman Ampitheatre. Standing by some of the most foreboding locations in the city, I'll tell you about the gruesome executions which took place here, and the partying and revelry which accompanied them! You'll be taken within the shell of a church destroyed in the Blitz, and be led into the park which displays one of the most touching memorials to self sacrifice you could possibly imagine. The walk lasts 1.5 hours and will leave a lasting impression of a different side to London's deep and extraordinary history. Other things to note Your guide will be easily identifiable with a flag and friendly smile. There are no toilet or refreshment breaks during the tour, so please be prepared.

5 out of 5 average rating, 5 reviews

Explore Hackney with an artist

Get to know Hackney the local way! • To begin, we’ll step into my world as a painter with a hands-on session in my Hackney studio, a lively space shared with other artists. You’ll get a feel for mixing colours and making paint, discovering your own creative instincts along the way. • Through experimenting with pigments and mixing colours from scratch, you’ll see how they interact in unexpected ways. No experience is needed—just a willingness to explore! You can take your experiments home as a keepsake of the day • Then, we’ll explore some of the neighbourhoods hidden gems, from spots filled with music to the perfect place for a coffee break, plus shops overflowing with unique finds. There will also be some animal and nature encounters sprinkled along the way.

5 out of 5 average rating, 4 reviews

Jack the Ripper & the Five Women of Whitechapel

Journey back to Whitechapel 1888... Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly. These are the names of the five women whose lives were brutally cut short by the serial killer commonly known as Jack the Ripper in 1888. In this revealing tour around the streets of Whitechapel, we focus on their story, the lives they led, the London they knew. We will discover the series of events which led them all to fall prey to a murderer, and journey back in time to understand the reasons why the police were never able to solve the case, unpacking the greatest murder mystery of all. Who were the chief suspects? Was Jack actually Jill? Was there a grand conspiracy hushed up by the establishment? On the way we thread through the atmospheric streets of Whitechapel, discovering original buildings from the time, and visiting some of the actual spots where the gruesome murders took place, and the set of circumstances which led them to their fate.

5 out of 5 average rating, 1 reviews

London Portrait Photoshoot

***Please note this is a 60 minute private photo with me around some of London's most iconic destinations. If you have another location in mind, please message me before you book. Normally you will get all the photos in 2 days. ****NOTE:* The price mentioned above refers to the experience fee per person. Payment for the photos will be made after you’ve selected them. - You’ll receive a link to all the photos in JPEG format, where you can choose as many as you’d like. This gives you more flexibility and peace of mind, as you’ll only pay for the photos you genuinely love. Additional Service Options: Same-Day Photo Delivery: +£15 Urgent service in one hour: +£50 Video Request: +£30 (15–30 seconds

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 78 reviews

Learn Bookbinding in an Artist Studio

We'll meet at my lovely studio where I'll introduce you to the magical world of bookbinding. I'll teach you about the different specialised tools, materials and binding techniques involved in this craft. I'll guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a hardcover book and you will get a chance to choose from a selection of beautiful papers, bookcloths and card to customise your book. At the end of the workshop, you'll take away your very own handmade book which can be used as a notebook, journal, sketchbook or anything else you would like.

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 40 reviews

Secret East London Wandering

Dalston is a diverse, cool and fast-changing area, home to a growing creative community. On this wandering we'll explore some of the area's hidden gems, old and new, including a secret garden, a vibrant multicultural market, a colourful house and a beautiful Turkish mosque. Hear stories about some of the extraordinary people that make London such a special city. I'll also share with you ways in which you can create meaningful connections to the communities, individuals and spaces you might encounter on your own wanderings.

4.91 out of 5 average rating, 101 reviews

Learn Woodcut Printing With An Artist

Due to COVID-19 I will be running my current workshops as either on a one-one basis or as a group maximum of 3 people - this helps to ensure safe social distancing and good hygiene in my studio. The workshop is about learning the use of traditional Japanese hand tools, the process of inking wood blocks, printing on different types of handmade printing paper and developing a new understanding of various techniques in woodcut art. All of which enable you to make numerous fine art prints to take away at the end of the session! Intro - Cups of tea, coffee or soft drinks followed by some words from me on my printmaking career and a round the table 'meet and greet' from everyone to begin the day. Stage 1 - We will cover the use of hand tools to design, draw and cut woodblocks and explore the process of hand printing using traditional Japanese barens (circular discs wrapped in bamboo) and rollers on three types of paper. Stage 2 - Delve a little deeper, showing you how to use multiple blocks and reduction-cutting techniques to create more complex multi colour prints. Stage 3 - This a perfect opportunity to make multiple prints through editions, ending the final part of the session by experimenting with your favourite design or playing various colours. Stage 4 - Everyone’s individual prints wrapped in sheets of tissue paper and rolling up into tubes for safe passage home. Other things to note Please bring any visual material that may be of inspiration - photos, drawings, patterns, text, books etc. I do have a lovely library of books on printmaking, plus a brilliant portfolio of prints other workshops. Aprons will be provided but please do wear sensible work clothes as it may get messy!

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 40 reviews

Abstract Art Class in Private Studio

You will be met very close to Colin's studio which is a unique and bohemian space in a railway arch. The local area is full of creative people and has a relaxed vibe. Colin is a full-time artist and shows and sells his art internationally, this experience is a great insight into the life of an artist and the creative process. First off we will show you around the studio, Colin will show you various examples of his art and the inspiration behind his work and we can find out about each other too! Colin will show you various techniques that he uses in his art and give you demonstrations so you can get an idea of what you may want to create. We will guide you throughout and make it fun - warning - you may get some paint on you! You will be fully immersed in the creative process for over 2 hours and focus on making art, you will find it stimulating and relaxing and hopefully it will take any stresses away and help you re-focus. We love to find out about our guests so there will be plenty of chatting along the way too. We will provide some drinks and nibbles in case you get peckish! You will leave the studio having made your own painting that you can take with you if it's dried in time (if not, we can send it to you afterwards or arrange for you to collect another day)

5 out of 5 average rating, 4 reviews

Banksy style art stencil workshop

Unleash your inner street artist in this exciting, beginner-friendly art workshop in London! Hosted in a unique Hackney studio hidden beneath a railway arch, this class is led by Colin, a skilled professional artist who will guide you through every step. You'll have the opportunity to work with a variety of stencils, including Banksy-inspired designs. With access to artist quality spray paints, acrylics, and paint pens, you'll learn how to use these tools to create striking effects. Practice your designs on paper before moving on to your own personalized canvas. This creative session is hands-on and can get a bit messy, but aprons are provided so you can feel comfortable experimenting with the spray cans. By the end of the class, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for graffiti-style art, new creative skills, and a custom-made canvas to proudly display or gift to someone special.

Things to do in London Borough of Hackney

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