Victoria Park

The ‘Regent’s Park of the East End’, Victoria Park is an 86-hectare leafy expanse of victoria park ornamental lakes, monuments, tennis courts, flower beds and large lawns. When it opened in 1845 it was the first public park in the East End, given permission after a local MP presented Queen Victoria with a petition of 30,000 signatures. It quickly gained a reputation as the ‘People’s Park’ when many large political rallies were held here.

With its bright blue and white colour scheme and its selection of Italian treats and drinks on the counter, Oddono’s certainly has the look and feel of a true gelateria. The chatter in French and Italian that fills the room also helps give the place a continental feel. Ice-cream is rich and indulgent; pistachio was properly good – velvety smooth and full of flavour. This huge 19th-century pub (formerly called The Britannia) beside Victoria Park has a large garden (complete with busy ‘garden grill’ in summer), a main bar decorated with Victoriana that serves creditable pub fare and, tucked away at the side, a full-blown dining room. More recently they’ve started up their very own onside microbrewery onsite.

Even during busy times, when all of E9 seems to have dropped in to this park café, staff maintain their smiles and efficiency. Customers queue for food inside the small domed pavilion, then grab a seat (there are loads) looking out over the boating lake. The Pavilion is run by the people behind Elliot’s and the menu is a cut-above; own-made bread is also for sale.

Set in the heart of East London’s Victoria Park, is Lovebox. Regularly uniting a whole hosloveboxt of various styles together in one beautiful venue, Lovebox makes a point of booking the very best acts for your viewing pleasure. Brought together by organizers who are passionate about the music, and not the money, Lovebox continues to be a melting pot of all that is good in the industry, and repeatedly showcases both giants and the newcomers in its ever impressive lineups. Billed as ‘a place to come to dance in the sun, to let that hair down, to be whatever you want, to forget your worries, and above all, to celebrate life and love’, lovers of music and great party atmospheres will feel right at home at Lovebox.

The Lauriston – A beautiful friendly pub just moments from Victoria Park. They serve delicious stonebaked pizza 12noon – 10pm 7 days a week. Every Friday and Saturday they also host great DJ’s and every month live bands, open mic, and a weekly pub quiz. Key sports are also shown on a large screen. Not to mention of course the park itself, has facilities such as boat riding as well as the usual playground.

The closest station to Victoria Park is Hackney Wick, however Homerton and London Fields are a short bus journey away. There are various bus routes that will take you back and forth from Victoria Park such as the 277, 425 and 388 to name a few. Located in the South of Hackney it is very easy to get in and around Hackney as well as London.

During the week/weekend there are many supermarkets such as Tesco that is 5 mins walk from Hackney Central station.  Iceland and M&S are also 2-3 minutes’ walk from Hackney Central station. There are also a number markets such as Dalston market that you will be able to get a lot of traditional based food from.