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HOW IT RATES

First recorded as a parish in 1198, the London Borough of Hackney now covers 19 wards, from Hoxton to Hackney Marsh. Characterised by its ethnic diversity, with old East Enders still around, mixed with artists and young professionals. There is huge variety in atmosphere, but on the whole it’s a lively place on the up. One third of the 2012 Olympic Games area will be in Hackney.

ARCHITECTURAL GEMS

The 13th-century Saint Augustine’s Tower is Hackney’s oldest structure and the Tudor Sutton House in Homerton is the oldest house in East London. The cityscape is characterised by old warehouses, now largely flats and galleries.

WHAT’S NEW

A warehouse conversion by Hackney Central will have 49 flats for autumn 2008 (Blake Stanley, 020-7254 7554). The Queensbridge Quarter in south Dalston will be launched next spring, opposite the legendary LMNT restaurant (Currell 020-7241 4111).

QUALITY OF LIFE

Great for newer residents, but the social fabric is frayed. Car crime is high-profile and the unflattering nickname “Murder Mile” refers to Clapton Road. Hackney has been dubbed the most likely place to hear gunshots in Britain. Almost all areas are blighted by misbehaving youths at night.

POPULATION

202,824 at the last count: 44 per cent white British, 25 per cent black British, 15 per cent white nonBritish, 9 per cent Asian and 3 per cent Chinese. Only 4 per cent call themselves “mixed”.

TRAVEL

The East London line Tube extension will go some way to improving Hackney’s connections. Buses provide links to the Tube; overland trains connect to West London and the DLR.

SMARTEST STREETS

De Beauvoir is the priciest area, along with neighbouring London Fields; both boast Victorian and Georgian terraces. De Beauvoir Square and Albion Square are well kept and both Palantine Road and Belgrade Road in Stoke Newington are highly sought after.

BEST RESTAURANTS

Kingsland Road offers many Vietnamese canteens. The Mess is a top greasy spoon on Amhurst Road and Premises is a cult breakfast spot on Hackney Road. On Broadway Market, Santa Maria del Buen Ayre serves steak with a smile and L’Eau à la Bouche must be the busiest deli in the borough.

TOP NIGHTLIFE

The Hackney Empire offers a vast range of shows, from Bizet’s Russell Brand. Dalston has three notable jazz bars, all great if you get the right night. Bistrotheque has cabaret, two relaxed but chic bars and a restaurant. The Cat and Mutton and The Dolphin are the best pubs for aspirational scenesters, and The Dove suits beer connoisseurs.

EDUCATION

Despite immense barriers facing teachers in Hackney (not least that of English being a second language for many pupils), several schools have managed to turn their prospects around. Shacklewell Primary School has a notably holistic approach to pupils’ wellbeing.

WORKING LIFE

More than 30 per cent of Hackney jobs are in finance, with a similar percentage in public service. Hackney residents are largely employed in these areas, with many also working in distribution, hotels, restaurants, and other service industries across London.

UPSIDE

Vyner Street alone has seven art galleries and is to Hackney what Cork Street is to Mayfair. The weekend markets draw crowds: Broadway Market for food and Columbia Road for flowers. Dalston’s Ridley Road Market is the rowdiest, selling everything from trainers to freshly plucked chickens, all for next to nothing if you’re prepared to barter.

DOWNSIDE

Green spaces are fewer and shabbier than elsewhere. The pressure on the council to maximise land prices means a raw deal for existing residents. Broadway Market is home to eviction scandal, as community pillars are ousted to make way for buy-to-let landlords.

£292,495 The average house price in Hackney Source: Hometrack

24% The increase in house prices in Hackney over the past year Source: Halifax

290% The increase in house prices in Hackney over the past ten years Source: Halifax

25 The number of conservation areas in Hackney Source: Hackney Council

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