London it is a huge city, sometimes even disproportionate in all this each specific area of the city has its own characteristics and a distinctive soul. If you are in London for a weekend and you want to discover the more alternative and a little more hidden side of the city then I recommend H.
As happens in other large cities such as Berlin and New York, a redevelopment project of the most degraded areas of the city has been underway for some years now. Hackney is the prime example of the usefulness of this type of project. From a practically inaccessible area, until a decade ago it was practically unthinkable to move to Hackney, it was made safer first and then peacefully overrun by artists and students attracted to ultra-affordable rentals.
Hackney is also a relatively central neighborhood (zone 2) with dozens of bus lines but without a tube stop and this helps keep rents low. The area was once industrial and in the past it has left several legacies warehouse (warehouses) and the many factories have recently been converted into lofts, art galleries or art studios.
London, as known, has a strong propensity for i street markets and in general for all situations where there is an opportunity to save. Here is a small guide for an alternative afternoon in Hackney among the markets, pubs and parks that this beautiful area of London offers.
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If you are looking for inspiration on how to renew yours wardrobe in a brit key London Field Park is a real alternative open-air British fashion show. During the sunny days and especially on Saturdays the park is so full that sometimes it is almost difficult to find a place to sit.
The formula is always the same: buy a few cans of beer and a few packets of chips and lie down on the grass chatting between a sip of beer and a puff of a cigarette. If this is your first time in London Fieds you can find a couple of off-licenses at the exit (or entrance depending on) that leads to Broadway Market St and for £ 5 buy 6 beds of beer or a bottle of rosé or white wine for the same amount.
You will find yourself surrounded by guys in skinny jeans and checkered shirts (very grunge style for those of my ventilation); the girls show off often original sixties clothes, huge sunglasses, a strictly flower in the hair and the inevitable bottle of white wine. I've been saying for years never to throw away anything that fashion is cyclical and everything comes back.
Other advice is to try not to sit too close to people playing Frisbee also because after a few cans of beer they may have some difficulties.
Broadway Market
As we have said, the ideal day to spend an afternoon in London Fields is Saturday and the main reason is the renowned Broadway Market Street. On Saturday afternoon a passage to Broadway Market before or after the stop at the park is a must. The market is mainly famous for what they call here in England delicatessen, ethnic cuisine and second hand clothes.
As in all second-hand clothing markets, what I recommend is to spend some time in sift through among the rows of hangers and trunks, if you are lucky you will find some items in good condition and at a low price, strictly in London style.
The stalls sell several imported delights such as Italian cheeses and hams, Spanish or French as well as artisanal bread and organic products such as jars of vegetables in oil rather than honey or herbal infusions: all very good but unfortunately very expensive. Instead, I recommend that you take a look at the stalls they sell ethnic food. For around £ 5 you can enjoy tyra all sorts of great things paella or traditional Eritrean food a delicious spongy bread (injera) which is filled and rolled with a kind of stew or with vegetables.
If instead you want to eat typical English pub-food or if you just want to finish the afternoon with a traditional pint of beer I recommend you stop at Cats and Muttons the pub on the corner at the exit of the park. The environment is in full harmony with the park and the market, I would recommend going for a couple of pints rather than eating as it is not exactly cheap for food.
Warehouses
If you will walk about 15 minutes from London Fields, Broadway Market, here are a couple of goodies for yours alternative London shopping and savings. If you are in London as a tourist for a weekend, you will surely have a map with you to consult.
Leaving the park towards Hackney central after a 5 minute walk between the railway and Mare St. you will find Ellingfort Road and here is the Carhartt warehouse. Surely you will know the brand and you will know that it is not exactly cheap, here you will find jeans, sweatshirts and sweaters, unsold in official stores, at half price.
It is impossible not to get your hands on something interesting and in the end if it is halfway through why not? If you are a bit more classic, there is also a 10 minute walk from Carhartt werehouse by Burberry. The warehouse is in Belsham St, arrived in Hackney central Town hall (where there is the town hall and the theater) you will have to take the street in front which is called Morning lane and turn into the third street on the right. The same speech made for the Carhartt warehouse also applies to Burberry, you will find everything a ultra discounted prices and I would say fortunately given the prices.
If you need a hostel in London take a look at the page of HostelBookers where the costs we could say are as convenient as those of the two warehouses that we have just recommended. If you want to discover the real alternative side of London, forget the inflated Camden and spend an afternoon in Hackney.
