Moves like Hagger

Fun in the sun at Haggerston Park. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

A hybrid of converted housing estates, gated communities and early Victorian houses, Haggerston is one of Hackney’s most diverse areas. Bounded by Dalston to the north, De Beauvoir to the west, Shoreditch to the south and Bethnal Green to the east, it is in many ways the centre of Hackney’s cultural hub.

Yet it is more affordable than any of its surrounding areas, and with walking distance of all of their various attractions. The best of both worlds, you might say.

Haggerston’s Vietnamese and Cambodian communities are well established, and famous throughout the capital for some of the finest southeast Asian cuisine. But a large part of the resident population includes families and city workers, for whom the proximity to Liverpool Street and the Docklands is convenient.

Although famous in the 1990s for its rundown housing estates, Haggerston is now, in some parts, one of Hackney’s most gentrified areas. It is still struggling with crime though – in February it had the highest rate of any ward in the borough.

Green spaces are a little rare, but Haggerston Park, a Green Flag award-winning space which features a recently rebuilt BMX track and an orchard with food growing space, is a local favourite. On summer days, Londoners flock from around the city to take part in the bonhomie.

The park is also home to Hackney City Farm, which as well as hosting a range of animals, runs social action and educational events.

Another nature spot is the Regent’s Canal, which runs through Haggerston and provides a quiet haven for locals. It also boasts a bunch of new canal-side apartment blocks, which include some of the area’s most scenic properties.

A campaign is underway to re-open Haggerston Pool, which was built in 1904 by Alfred Cross and is a Grade II listed building. If successful, the structure will be used as a community hub, providing sport and leisure facilities.

Good schools used to be in short supply in Haggerston, but the situation is steadily improving. Randal Cremer Primary School and Sebright are both good choices for the young ones, as is St Paul’s with St Michael’s C of E. The real local jewel is the Queensbridge School on Albion Drive, which was deemed ‘outstanding’ in almost all areas by Ofsted’s last report.

Secondary schools include the Bridge Academy, which opened in 2007 and received an overall ‘outstanding’ report from Ofsted at its last inspection. It specialises in music and mathematics, and also has a good sixth-form. Haggerston School, which only became co-educational a couple of years ago, is another local option. It is noteworthy for being housed in a Grade II listed building, built in 1964-5 by the celebrated modernist architect Erno Goldfinger.

When it comes to transport, Haggerston is well connected compared to other Hackney neighbourhoods. Two Overground stations, Haggerston and Hoxton, lie to the west of the area, while Cambridge Heath and Bethnal Green national rail stations border the east. Most usefully, Haggerston is close to Bethnal Green tube, which is on the Central line and connects to the West End in minutes.

Haggerston springs to life on the weekends, when its cafés, bars and eateries are in full bloom, and quieter than the more bustling neighbouring areas. Broadway Market, which lies to the east of Haggerston, opens most Saturdays and features more than 100 stalls, including some ‘to-die-for’ baked goods.

Truly the best of both worlds.