Things to do in London Fields & Broadway Market, Hackney

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An east London favourite, London Fields and Broadway Market have a village vibe during the week before becoming social central at the weekend. There are lots of things to do in London Fields from its famous Broadway Market on Saturday or park beers combined with a bevy of craft breweries and pubs.

From lunching in the park to making a beeline for Broadway Market, here are the best things to do in London Fields in Hackney:

A guide to London Fields and Broadway Market in Hackney

Table of Contents

9 Things to do in London Fields

1. London Fields Park

Lazing about in London Fields with your friends with beers is a London right of passage – visit during a Saturday evening on a hot summer’s day and you’ll barely be able to see any grass left to sit on (although there is plenty being smoked)!

A fun, friendly hangout sprawling over 30 acres with tower blocks and residential buildings all around, London Fields are a little green gem amongst the hustle and hubris of the capital.

Grab your bites from one of Broadway Market’s delis and a pint from one of the nearby craft breweries to create one of London’s most perfect picnics. In the summer months, this is one of favourite things to in London Fields and Hackney.

ADDRESS: London Fields, Hackney, London E8 3EU

2. Broadway Market on Saturdays

Described as a ‘Victorian working street market’ (we’re not sure what this means but it sounds quite Eastenders), Broadway Market comes alive on a Saturday with the sights, smells and sounds from over 50 different street food stalls and also some arts and crafts.

At Broadway Market in London Fields, your tastebuds will be rewarded every Saturday with an alfresco Aladdin’s cave of foodie fare from all over the world (there are lots of veggie and vegan / gluten free options available too).

ADDRESS: Broadway Market, Hackney, London, E8 4PH

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3. Broadway Market Shops

An east London enclave that has a real village feel, Broadway Market is a long straight terraced street that runs from London Fields park to Regents Canal.

Broadway Market is chock full of cafes, delis and general goodness like organic grocers, trattorias and coffee shops galore.

Pretty much all of these stores along Broadway Market are independently run and you won’t see any of the big high street chains here (yet) in London Fields.

ADDRESS: Broadway Market, London Fields, London, E8 4PH

London Fields and Broadway Market in Hackney

4. London Fields Lido

Open all year round but primed for party time in the summer (watch for those queues on hot days), London Fields Lido is an outdoor swimming pool 50 metres in length with a sun terrace and a small cafe.

A London institution, London Fields Lido is one of London’s most popular pool hangouts and a lot easier to get to than the likes of Ruislip lido (AKA London Beach / London on Sea).

The Lido is open daily (even in the winter months as it is heated) from 6.30am to 9pm.

ADDRESS: London Fields Lido, London E8 3EU

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5. Regent’s Canal

If you are heading to Broadway Market and London Fields from the direction of Victoria Park, Bethnal Green or Shoreditch, (link) the best way to arrive is via the Regent’s Canal walk.

There is some wonderful street art on display along the Regent’s Canal towpath plus the occasional boat and barge pop-ups, such as beer boats and floating flower stalls. Just be on guard for the occasional speeding cyclist or sweaty jogger!

6. London Fields Pubs

Whilst drinking in the park is generally permitted (and incredibly popular), there are several nearby London Fields pubs that you might want to wet your whistle at.

Pub on the Park

As the name suggests, this is literally a pub ON the park in London Fields with a big raised beer garden of sorts overlooking the grassy green.

Pub on the Park also has an extensive food and BBQ menu – live music nights with DJs and the occasional game of boules or table tennis are all part of the mix.

ADDRESS: Pub on the Park, 19 Martello St, Hackney, London E8 3PE

Netil 360

An equally impressive alfresco space with stunning views over London, Netil 360 can be found just across the road from the London Fields. Netil 360 is a low key urban rooftop bar, attracting everyone from Hackney hipsters to the after-work crowd.

After getting a drink from the bar at Netil 360 in London Fields, grab a beanbag on the outdoor rooftop (you may have to pounce quickly as the bar is always very popular) and soak up the city views. We also list Netil 360 as one our best panoramic views in London.

ADDRESS: 1 Westgate Street, London E8 3RL

7. London Fields and Hackney Breweries

Forest Road Brewery

Located to the left of Netil Market, Forest Road Brewery is a London Fields brewery taproom with several of their own core range on tap, and an outdoor patio.

Forest Road Brewery are also known for their inventive distribution techniques – from delivering pints to your doorstep through to hiring out what can only be described as beer buddy type trailers (which come complete with kegs and beer glasses to use in the park itself).

The craft beer range at Forest Road Brew is also really good – coupled with the beer terrace, this is a ‘craftily’ good thing to do in London Fields.

ADDRESS: Forest Road Brewery Taproom, 8 Netil Lane, Hackney, London E8 3R

The Five Points Brewery and Taproom, Hackney

Five Points Brewery and taproom is a couple of minutes away from London Fields and Broadway Market on Mare Street.

We’ve been to Five Points Brewery Taproom quite a few times as their huge outdoor drinking area is a blessing in the summer.

A great set-up on the site where they brew all their beers, the Five Points Brewery beer garden (well, craft beer in a car park!) has a pop-up bar with a combination of their own Five Points range and guest beers on tap.

The Five Points Brewery and Taproom, Hackney

Five Points core range includes an extra pale ale (XPA), Pils and our favourite, a chocolatey coffee Railway Porter. Like lots of breweries in Bethnal Green, Five Points are also located along the railway arches and beer tasting tours of the brewery are available too.

ADDRESS: The Five Points Brewery & Taproom, 61 Mare Street, Hackney, London E8 4RG

8. Broadway Market Pubs and Bars, London Fields

Broadway Market is home to several pubs and bars but the most famous and popular with the locals are the Cat and Mutton, and a little further down the street away from London Fields, The Dove.

Cat and Mutton

The Cat & Mutton in Broadway Market is a genuine East end boozer with a side garnish of gastropub, with a big craft beer range on tap and hearty British food available to order.

Undergoing a major restoration several years ago to reinstate some of its historic features, the Cat and Mutton pub dates back to 1729 – this is also the best pub right next to London Fields park.

ADDRESS: The Cat & Mutton, 76 Broadway Market, London E8 4RA

The Dove

A little bit of Belgium in London – the Leffe and Delirium signs on its exterior give you a nod that things are done a little differently at The Dove Broadway Market bar.

The Dove beer selection is peerless and they also are listed in CAMRA (real ales) so you know you are in for a good night – the menu consists of Sunday roast specials and also Thai delights midweek.

ADDRESS: The Dove, 24-28 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ

9. Netil Market

An artisan array of arts, crafts and food stalls tucked away in between London Fields and and Cambridge Heath Road, this is a charming courtyard type affair with around a dozen stalls (plus a few more pop-up ones on Saturdays).

Top draws include Bao Bar, tasty Taiwanese fare and Oli Baba, supposed creator of London’s halloumi fries frenzy. Artist studios are dotted throughout and regularly available for hire.

ADDRESS: Netil Market, 13-23 Westgate Street, Hackney, London E8 3RL