Historic Hackney
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Hackney from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover Hackney's listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Hackney's most significant historic sites, curated from the National Heritage List for England.
Former French Protestant Hospital (later Cardinal Pole School)
Hackney
Hospital and almshouse, later school; 1864-5 by Robert Lewis Roumieu.
Church of St Peter
Hackney
1840-1 by William C Lochner. 1884 chancel by H R Gough and adjoining vicarage. Read the official list entry to find out more.
The Stag's Head public house, Hoxton
Hackney
An 'improved' public house in Neo-Georgian style by A E Sewell for Truman's Brewery, opened in February 1936. Single-storey extension added c1970.
Abney Park Cemetery
Hackney
A public cemetery, opened 1840, laid out from the grounds of two C17 private houses by William Hosking and planted as an arboretum by Loddiges of...
The Hackney and East London Synagogue
Hackney
Synagogue, 1897 by Delissa Joseph and 1936 by Cecil J Eprile. Minor later alterations. Read the official list entry to find out more.
23, 23A, 24 and 25 Church Crescent and associated fences and gate piers
Hackney
A set piece of two adjoining pairs of semi-detached, three-storey houses of 1981-1984 by Colquhoun and Miller for the London Borough of Hackney.
The Theatre Playhouse
Hackney
The buried deposits of The Theatre of 1576-77 and some buildings associated with the C12 Holywell Priory revealed during archaeological investigations.
The Chapel at St Saviour's Priory
Hackney
Chapel at St Saviour's Priory 1925-1959 by J Harold Gibbons.
F Cooke's Eel, Pie and Mash Shop, Broadway Market
Hackney
Eel, pie and mash shop, opened 1900 and refitted in the 1930s. The shop forms part of a mid-C19 terrace with residential accommodation above.
The Army and Navy Public House, Stoke Newington
Hackney
Early to mid 1930s public house, opened by 1936, built for Truman, Hanbury, Buxton & Co Ltd in Neo-Georgian style, probably designed by the brewery...
The Curtain Playhouse
Hackney
The site comprises buried deposits and structural remains relating to The Curtain Playhouse, of about 1577-1625, revealed during archaeological...
Blocks A and B and façade of Relief Office at St Leonard's Hospital
Hackney
Former workhouse, now hospital, for the Parish of St Leonard, Shoreditch, around 1863-1866, by William Lee of St Michael's House, Cornhill.
Gainsborough School Including Caretaker's House, Outdoor Wcs and Covered Play Areas, Handicraft Block and Special School
Hackney
Board school, designed by TJ Bailey for the School Board for London, 1899, completed in stages up until 1918. Later alterations.
Skinners' Company School For Girls
Hackney
Girls' school. 1889 by EH Burnell for the Skinners' Company. Additional building in the 1890s by W Campbell-Jones.
Church of the Most Holy Trinity With St Mary
Hackney
1847-8 by William Railton. 1896 faculty to turn base of tower into a baptistry: architect Spencer W. Grant. C20 SE vestry.
134-146 Curtain Road
Hackney
Former furniture showroom, warehouse and workshops, now offices and bar/restaurant.
291 Gallery (Former St Augustine's Church)
Hackney
1866-7 by Henry Woodyer. Extensive repairs and rebuilding work 1994-8 to convert the then-derelict building into an arts centre.
Church of St John the Baptist
Hackney
1824-6 by Francis Edwards. W end partitioned off 1995 by Tom Hornsby of Keith Harrison Associates. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Stoke Newington Civilian War Memorial
Hackney
War memorialErected in 1948 by the Metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington.
Sebright Primary School Including Former Schoolkeeper'S House And Cookery Centre
Hackney
Sebright School is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:<br/><br/>*
Monument to Joanna Vassa in Abney Park Cemetery
Hackney
The monument is designated for listing at Grade II for the following principal reasons: A worn but elegant example of a standard monument type, with...
The Former Ark of the Covenant
Hackney
Church, 1892-5, by Joseph Morris and Sons of Reading, for the Agapemonites. Sculpture by AG Walker. Stained glass by Walter Crane.
18-26, Rivington Street
Hackney
18-26 Rivington Street are five purpose-built workshops, built in 1897 for a prominent furniture manufacturer, William Ratcliffe.
Lauriston Road Jewish Cemetery, the lodge, gates and piers facing Lauriston Road and portion of the walling to the south of the graveyard
Hackney
Lauriston Road Jewish Cemetery, Hackney is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: it has group value with the Registered landscape of...
Church of St Luke
Hackney
1871-2 by Newman and Billing. Steeple 1882. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Horse and cattle drinking trough
Hackney
A MDF&CTA standardised type 1c granite drinking trough donated by Edith H Melvill and erected in 1910 in memory of the family dog Jill.
Stables and Carriageway Entrance Building at the Former LGOC Pitfield Street Depot
Hackney
Stables and Carriageway Entrance Building at the Former LGOC Pitfield Street Depot, 1895.
Tomb Of James Stephen, Churchyard Of Old Church Of St Mary
Hackney
The tomb of James Stephen is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
War memorial at St John of Jerusalem Church
Hackney
The war memorial at St John of Jerusalem Church, Hackney, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Group value: it stands alongside...
Homerton War Memorial
Hackney
Homerton War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Group value: with the Grade II-listed Church of St Barnabas and Grade...
North London Railwaymen War Memorial
Hackney
The North London Railwaymen War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Group value: with the adjacent Grade I-listed...
The Rose and Crown public house, Stoke Newington
Hackney
An 'improved' public house of 1930-32, designed by A E Sewell for Trumans, Hanbury and Buxton Ltd.
Historic Hackney through time
The National Heritage List for England contains hundreds of details about buildings and places, including the periods in which they were built and the uses they've had over the years. Explore how your local area has changed through time.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Hackney
Historic aerial photography shows the growth and changes in England's urban and rural landscapes, revealing secrets that are impossible to see from the ground.
Stamford Hill
Woodberry Down Primary School on Woodberry Grove and part of the Woodberry Down Estate under construction, Stamford Hill, 1952
Stamford Hill
Woodberry Down Primary School on Woodberry Grove, Stamford Hill, 1952
Bow
The Clarnico Works, Bow, 1921
Hackney Wick
The Clarnico Works, Hackney Wick, 1921
Hackney Marsh
Factories and wharves alongside the Hackney Cut Navigation, Hackney Marsh, 1921
Hackney
W Gould and Sons Wharf and Saw Mills on the Lee Navigation, Hackney, 1934
Stamford Hill
Malvern House and environs, Stamford Hill, 1933
Stamford Hill
The Guinness Trust Estate, Malvern House and environs, Stamford Hill, 1933
Hackney
St John's Church and environs, Hackney, 1957
Shoreditch
Bishopsgate Goods Station (Goods Yard) and environs, Shoreditch, 1947
Historic England Archive images of Hackney
The Historic England Archive holds and cares for over 15 million images, from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Hackney's past.
Charles George Harper Collection
Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1892 - 1933
People on the street outside an unidentified building on land known as the 'Land of Promise', between Hoxton Street and Kingsland Road
Eric de Mare
South Hackney, Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of the Crown Estate office in Gore Road.
John Gay Collection: London
Clissold Park, Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: Jan 1962 - May 1964
A girl in a dark swimming costume running towards the edge of the paddling pool in Clissold Park, with a small boy running to right in the foreground...
John Laing Collection
Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 15 Sep 1998
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott emerging from the Mapledene Early Years Centre during a visit to the Holly Street...
Alfred Newton and Sons
Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1904
GENERAL VIEW OF TOWER AND SPIRE FROM CLISSOLD PARK
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Stoke Newington, Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1903 - 1912
VIEW OF BRIDGE
Eric de Mare
South Hackney, Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of number 17 St Agnes Close.
John Gay Collection: London
Shoreditch, Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1960 - 1965
A road sign for Shepherdess Walk, Shoreditch on a brick wall topped with spiked railings, the rear elevation of terraced houses in the mist behind
John Laing Collection
Holly Street Estate, Dalston, Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 07 Jul 1994
Low-rise housing under construction on the Holly Street Estate
Alfred Newton and Sons
Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1904
GENERAL VIEW FROM CLISSOLD PARK SHOWING TOWER AND SPIRE OF NEW ST MARYS BEHIND
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
West Hackney, Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1909 - 1914
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING CROWD GATHERED
John Gay Collection: London
Hoxton, Hackney, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1960 - 1965
Looking through the bars of a fence to a fisherman and a boy on the banks of a canal, with warehousing to left and bridge ahead, possibly in the...
Stories about heritage in Hackney
Historic England publishes news, blogs, videos and podcasts celebrating England's heritage. Discover the stories we have about Hackney.
Battles, Castles and Ships: England’s Military History from the Air
Mentions Hackney
Discover England's military history through aerial photography from the Aerofilms Collection.
A Brief Introduction to Romani Gypsy Heritage in England
Mentions Hackney
Discover the Romani Gypsy and Traveller history and heritage in England through the art, culture and landscapes of the country.
7 Serene Cemeteries to Visit in England
Mentions Hackney, Abney Park Cemetery
These graveyards can offer space for quiet reflection or a peaceful walk.
Ghost Signs: Spooky Remains of a Hidden Past
Mentions Hackney
Once you’re on the look out for ghost signs, you’ll find they are frequently hidden in plain sight.
A Brief History of Community Centres in England
Mentions Hackney
Community centres emerged in the late 19th century through a variety of social movements.
Shakespeare’s Life Through 10 Buildings
Mentions The Theatre Playhouse
William Shakespeare is arguably England’s most famous poet, playwright, and actor.
A Brief Introduction to Lidos
Mentions Hackney
Increasing water safety concerns in the 1920s inspired the creation of outdoor pools with concrete, tiled tanks and water filtration systems.
How Did Women Win the Right to Vote?
Mentions Hackney
This year marks 100 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918 granted the first women the vote.
Abney Park: One of London's 'Magnificent Seven' Cemeteries
Mentions Hackney
Abney Park Cemetery, one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' cemeteries, was established in the mid-1800s to lessen the dangerous overcrowding of London's...
Abney Park: One of London's 'Magnificent Seven' Cemeteries
Abney Park Cemetery, one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' cemeteries, was established in the mid-1800s to lessen the dangerous overcrowding of London's parish graveyards.
Heritage at Risk in England Revealed in 2020
Mentions Hackney
Historic England has revealed the historic sites most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Explore your social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about heritage in their local area.
The Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, Hackney, Greater London
Period: Stuart (1603 - 1713)
This building was originally built as almshouses.
The Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, Hackney, Greater London
Shoreditch Health Centre, Kingsland Road, Hackney, Greater London
Period: 1920s (1920 - 1929)
This Health Centre, formerly the Shoreditch Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, was built in 1922-23 by Francis Danby Smith.
Shoreditch Health Centre, Kingsland Road, Hackney, Greater London
Quebec Wharf, Kingsland Road, Hackney, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was built in 1878 for the North Metropolitan Tramways Company. It was a forage (feed) warehouse for its horses.
Quebec Wharf, Kingsland Road, Hackney, Greater London
Monument to James Braidwood, Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This is a monument to James Braidwood (1800-61). He was a leading fireman of his day. He did much to establish the profession of fire fighting.
Monument to James Braidwood, Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, Greater London
Manor House Station, Seven Sisters Road, Stoke Newington, Greater London
Period: 1930s (1930 - 1938)
A view of the tram shelters above Manor House Underground Station. There are stairs within the shelters leading to the underground station.
Manor House Station, Seven Sisters Road, Stoke Newington, Greater London
Maberly Chapel and School, Balls Pond Road, Hackney, Greater London
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
This chapel was built in 1820-5. It became an Independent Chapel in 1826.
Maberly Chapel and School, Balls Pond Road, Hackney, Greater London
Hackney Borough Disinfection Station, Millfields Road, Hackney, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This 'disinfection station' was built in c1900 by Hackney Borough Council.
Hackney Borough Disinfection Station, Millfields Road, Hackney, Greater London
Council Housing, St Agnes Close, Hackney, Greater London
Period: 1950s (1950 - 1959)
Exterior perspective view of post war flats in Hackney showing numbers 18-20 and a brick seat in the foreground.
Council Housing, St Agnes Close, Hackney, Greater London
Discover more Heritage nearby
Have you got another local place, or somewhere you're planning to visit? Take a look at these other places nearby
Islington
Local Authority District
Tower Hamlets
Local Authority District
City and County of the City of London
Ceremonial County