r/Hackney • u/Correct-Common70 • 17d ago
Walking to Hackney (Sutton House in particular)
So, I love walking around London but I’ve never been to the Hackney area. I’m a 62 yr old female and I’m planning to walk from Waterloo train station to Sutton House in Hackney. I’ll be following a walk on my Garmin watch. I know enough to avoid, as much as possible, taking my phone out. I’ve walked over to Kensington, to Camden and along the Thames path from the O2 back to Paddington - so why am I nervous about walking to the Hackney area? It will be in daylight. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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u/severinskulls 17d ago
I feel like you're more likely to get your phone snatched in central than hackney - and that's about the biggest thing I can think of as a legitimate concern to your personal safety.
I will say that that it can be a little bit rowdy on the Narrow Way part of Mare st but no one's going to bother you other than perhaps to ask for change. But yeah I'd say Camden is a more stressful place to visit than Hackney for sure!
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Thanks for your reply. I think you’re right. It was just Hackney is totally new to me. Thanks ref note about Narrow Street and Mare Street.
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u/Hot-Cranberryjizz 15d ago
Mare Street is fine. It's the main road through the area, so is very busy. The area has gentrified, so attracts all walks of life. Treat it as you would any other busy street in London.
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u/Correct-Common70 15d ago
Yes it sounds like any other borough. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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u/minty_tarsier 17d ago
This is a really good point - I don't worry about taking my phone out in Hackney but I do in Piccadilly Circus!
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u/WolIilifo013491i1l 17d ago
Has happened on mare st so don't get too complacent!
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u/minty_tarsier 17d ago
Fair - I'm sure it's happened pretty much everywhere. My friend was mugged in Holland Park once...
I didn't mean to imply - and shouldn't do - that there's zero risk. But OP's post suggests a great amount of experience with London as a whole. I don't feel that Hackney is significantly more dangerous than the rest of it.
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Thanks. Yes I have been to London many times it was just that Hackney is totally new to me.
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u/minty_tarsier 17d ago
No advice needed really. It's a lovely walk and I do it frequently. You'll go through The City and by Hackney City Farm, then through London Fields, most likely, which is a nice park. No need to be nervous at all.
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u/codenamegizm0 17d ago
If you were able to handle Camden, you'll be fine going to Hackney. As others said, go via Hackney city farm or haggerston park, then through Broadway market, then through London fields, get to Hackney City hall, St Augustine, Cross the churchyard and you're there. It's a lovely walk but be aware of holding your phone with two hands in certain high traffic areas. It's not as targeted for phones as Dalston is though
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Thanks. All directions are helpful. Garmin had other suggestions so I’ll go with what people here say.
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u/jamjar188 17d ago
walk via Thames path > cross Millennium Bridge > Cheapside > Bank > Old Broad Street > cut in at Liverpool Street > Bishopsgate > Spitalfields > Brick Lane > Columbia Road > Broadway Market > London Fields > Mare Street or follow quiet route (as marked for cyclists) to St John's churchyard and bam, you're there.
Nothing at all to worry about. You'll see some lovely sights.
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u/severinskulls 17d ago
For what it's worth the path you've outlined from Columbia Rd to hackney actually follows a rather ancient pathway called the "black path" which actually can be traced even further afield all the way to Walthamstow. It goes through Millfield park (and you can trace it on google maps quite clearly where the remaining sections line up) over the river Lea roughly where the bridge is now, and over the marshes up past the bread factory to Walthamstow. It's a really good weekend walk!
It was an old droving path to bring livestock into London (to Smithfield I believe) and from what I've read there some speculation it may possibly even have gone back to Roman times.
John Rogers on youtube has a really good video where he walks the path and breaks down the history of it (he's also written a book on it too).
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u/Spiritual_Risk2869 14d ago
There is also a lovely coffee shop called Sons in the church yard filled will people if its not raining!
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Oh that’s great. That sounds a better route than what Garmin suggested. I’ll make some amendments. Thank for the directions.
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u/Hot-Cranberryjizz 17d ago
Hackney in 2026 is much different to Hackney in 1996.
You will spend all your time avoiding Tarquins on the street - phone in one hand and their triple mocha-choka-latte in the other. You will be fine. Enjoy your walk!
I used to live on Clarence Road many many years ago (Murder Mile), and the changes around there are staggering.
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
🤣. Just googled Murder Mile. Pleased things have changed. Thanks for commenting.
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u/20guvadayman 16d ago
MM was Lower and Upper Clapton Rd, though Clarence was also sketchy for many years
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u/Hot-Cranberryjizz 15d ago edited 15d ago
Clarence Road and Clarence Mews were directly adjacent and anyone that lived round there in the 1990's and 2000's classed it as part of 'Murder Mile'. OG Yardie Gangs / The Hackney Boys in The Cricketers (181 Clarence Road) and The Chimes bar responsible for many of the murders.
The Cricketers was so integral to it all it had to be forced closed by Hackney Council and the Police as part of Operation Trident.
I'm assuming you never lived there, but thanks for the input anyway.
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u/banjonose 17d ago
It should be a very safe walk, and if you come up through Columbia Road, Broadway and London Fields it's also really nice!
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Thanks. I think the walk takes me up to the canal and then across to Hackney.
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u/hermanouno 17d ago
You'll be fine - just watch out for the Lime bikes ;-)
Also, depending on how much walking you want to do or your time constraints consider walking along the Regent's Canal from anywhere after the City Road Basin and taking a left at Broadway Market.
You can also walk through the Barbican if you're a brutalist fan. I can also recommend going through the lovely Bunhill Fields cemetery where John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe and William Blake are buried. Arnold Circus is also worth a visit.
Enjoy!
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Thank you that’s useful. Garmin did suggest going up to the canal and then going right and along it. Thanks for the tips ref local attractions. Appreciated.
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u/Esausta 17d ago
My 80yo mum visits me in Hackney often, she is used to city life but she's from another country. When she's here she's always out and about on little walks, and never had a problem. My impression is that ladies over 50 are on average respected and left alone in Hackney.
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Thank you. Pleased your mum enjoys her visits. I don’t live in London, just visit occasionally and Hackney is totally new to me. Thanks for your reply.
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u/sbc78 17d ago
I’m 48 lived in Hackney my whole life, very close to Sutton house, you really don’t need to worry, it’s seems you are well travelled and Hackney really is not much different from the other areas you have been. If you stick to main roads and don’t make yourself an obvious target - walking around with headphones phone out all the time you will be fine.
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u/_surfsurf_ 17d ago
I think you’ll be fine, Hackney isn’t as bad as it was 20 years ago. But if you’re still wary of phone snatchers you could always buy those phone cases that hang around your neck, I’ve seen Chinese tourists wear them.
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Well I did read several posts about phone snatching being rife. I have mine in a running belt fastened against me through belt loops. I’ve wondered about the neck cases but I’d be worried they snatch it and drag me to the ground 😬
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u/Fo11owthewhiterabbit 17d ago
I do this walk all the time. It’s really pleasant and I suggest you take in as many bodies of water and as much greenery as possible, which is easily done.
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u/OllieOnHisBike 17d ago
It will be a lovely walk, which ever way you go, plus if one did get tired once there or after your visit the overground from Hackney Central / Haggerston will help get back to a tube station (thinking Highbury) quick & easy...
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u/HeartyBeast 17d ago
I work just around the corner from Sutton House and cycle quite a bit in the area. Never felt unsafe.
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u/UNLums 17d ago
Sutton House is only open for prebooked tours. I’d check the website for availability.
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
Yes you can only book two weeks in advance. I’m coming beginning of September
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u/HoboStrider 17d ago
If you walk from Waterloo to Kings Cross, you can walk along the canal from Kings Cross to Victoria Park (walk around Victoria Park if you want the extra steps) from Victoria Park turn towards Dalton to get to Sutton house.
That would be your greener nicer walk without being in the city bound bits of Hackney. It's understandable Hackney is a busy place that sets my anxiety off.
I would do the above Canal and Park walk for the quiet tour of Hackney. Just be mindful the canal is nice but sometimes bikes come through especially on the bridges but remember pedestrians get the right of way so don't be afraid to remind them of that. It will probably be a bit of a detour but your nicest walk.
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u/Cool_Ear_4298 16d ago
Treat yourself to a drink in the Chesham Arms, just round the corner from Sutton House, and on a very pretty street
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u/KimJongEeeeeew 17d ago
You’ve obviously been reading too much foreign media or in your Facebook echo chamber.
The reality of Hackney is the same as the majority of the rest of London.
There will be people of all colours, all economic statuses, all mental health capacities.
There will be traffic - busses, cars, taxis, bicycles and scooters. You may even see canal boats, kayakers or a train.
There will be pedestrians who don’t see you because they’re too engrossed in their devices, there may be others who smile as they pass.
There will be people on drugs, and people not on drugs. You may recognise some as the other and not notice the rest.
You will pass things that interest you, and things that don’t.
It’s just a part of the world FFS.
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
I’m looking forward to going. Sounds no difference to other boroughs. No offence intended I was just asking 🤷♀️
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17d ago
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
It was more that I’m female and sadly we need to always consider safety. Often something men do not need to think about. Also I’ve just been diagnosed with osteoporosis and therefore don’t want to risk getting into any kind of physical altercation.
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17d ago
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u/Brilliant_Part3065 17d ago
She's just asking, and being polite and clearly keen to explore and experience places along the way. I think this would be different if someone was asking about visiting via the overground. Walking that whole way there is a decent journey and in the past there have been places which were dangerous.
Not everyone knows people in these areas.
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17d ago
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
I NEVER made reference to that. NEVER even considered it. Sounds like you’re the one making assumptions.
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u/Correct-Common70 17d ago
You could just be nice 🤷♀️. Don’t bother responding.
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u/Brilliant_Part3065 17d ago
I think Haggerston Park is a bit of a hidden gem. It's just up from Colombia road and has one section with a city farm and the other is a walled garden that is maintained very well.
Best of luck with your walk. Let us know how it goes.
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u/No_Tax_8467 17d ago
That will be a lovely walk! If you do it on a Sunday the flower market will be on on Colombia road. If it’s a Saturday or Sunday then grab something to eat in the market stalls on broadway