Hackney Museum, London: Hours, Address, Hackney Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Hackney Museum
Hackney Museum
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Tours and Tickets
The area
Address
How to get there
- Hackney Central • 4 min walk
- London Fields • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
5,520 within 3 miles
Pidgin
224
0.2 mi$$$$ • European • British • Contemporary
Temple of Seitan
236
0.1 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food
Mess Cafe
81
0.3 mi$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
Lardo
251
514 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Plant Hub Organic Ltd
28
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
E5 Bakehouse
117
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • Cafe • British
The Old Ship Pub
86
496 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Grill
Oslo
131
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • British
Nest
59
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • British • Vegetarian Friendly
The Green Papaya
167
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Vietnamese • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
510 within 3 miles
Hackney Empire
188
389 ftTheaters
Kinetica Museum
1
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Mare Street
8
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Burberry Factory Shop
71
0.3 miFactory Outlets
St John At Hackney Brewery
15
0.2 miBreweries
London Fields Park
55
0.3 miParks
Nike Factory Store
6
0.3 miFactory Outlets
Broadway Market
305
0.6 miFlea & Street Markets
Sutton House
92
0.4 miHistoric Sites • History Museums
Tower of London
65,574
2.7 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
17 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Liz I
London41 contributions
Really interesting & free
Nov 2019 • Solo
A surprise for a little lical museum in a library to be quite so extensive with such interesting stuff. Laid out a bit oddly and several of the interactive features were out of order, but overall it was well worth a visit.
Written November 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sheepygold
london4,674 contributions
Well worth a look
Sep 2019 • Solo
This relatively large local history museum is located on the ground floor of the town hall and covers numerous aspects of local history with interesting exhibits and clear explanations. The environs are modern if a bit dark and dingy but this doesn't distract from the very good content. 45 minutes is sufficient.
Written September 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rona L
Houston, TX13 contributions
Delightful gem ....
Jan 2019 • Solo
I discovered this wonderful little Museum on the ground floor of the Library while wandering around Hackney and was delighted by it. It’s free and at the moment they are also running a special exhibition of old “black” music with equipment and posters and recordings to listen to.
The Museum itself is small but covers the history of Hackney and it’s Residents from the Roman period to present. It mainly focuses on the past 200 years with artifacts and documents and many thoughtful interactive exhibits for children. A little boy was fascinated by the “hair salon” and kept sitting in the chair asking his father to cut his hair. Another young boy was using all the building bricks to make a castle. I learned so much about the history of Hackney’s development and the historical figures who came from there. It’s clean, bright and open and the staff are very helpful and friendly. It’s not at all pretentious and has artifacts as varied as 19th century printing presses, dinnerware and an apron from the 60s! A delight to wander through and relish in social history. Presentation is simple and easy to understand and follow for any age.
The Museum itself is small but covers the history of Hackney and it’s Residents from the Roman period to present. It mainly focuses on the past 200 years with artifacts and documents and many thoughtful interactive exhibits for children. A little boy was fascinated by the “hair salon” and kept sitting in the chair asking his father to cut his hair. Another young boy was using all the building bricks to make a castle. I learned so much about the history of Hackney’s development and the historical figures who came from there. It’s clean, bright and open and the staff are very helpful and friendly. It’s not at all pretentious and has artifacts as varied as 19th century printing presses, dinnerware and an apron from the 60s! A delight to wander through and relish in social history. Presentation is simple and easy to understand and follow for any age.
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK146,617 contributions
Excellent
Nov 2018 • Solo
Hackney Museum is a small museum in the Hackney area of London focusing on local history of the area. Considering the history of Hackney, a lot of the exhibits focus on the influx of people over the centuries and decades. The story starts with the Roman period, but the story rapidly shifts to the last 200 hundred years with a particular focus on immigrants and by extension the poorer members of society.
There's also a small exhibition room which is currently dedicated to "black" music. Truly amazing to see some old school equipment. A real gem of a museum.
There's also a small exhibition room which is currently dedicated to "black" music. Truly amazing to see some old school equipment. A real gem of a museum.
Written November 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alan W
London, UK1,314 contributions
Great little museum
Aug 2018 • Family
It might be small but this museum carries a great history of the local area , has a visiting exhibition area and is free to enter. It’s entrance is shared with the library
Written August 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Akkers1
London, UK698 contributions
Hackneys finest - A real gem of a museum
Feb 2018 • Friends
I never went here when I lived in the area but this is now the second time that I have visited.
It’s a real little gem of a museum located on the ground floor of the Hackney Library and here you can learn all about the people who made Hackney their home in previous times right up to the diversity of the present day neighbourhood.
There are a few interactive areas for children, interesting exhibits and the staff are friendly and very helpful.
My family have lived in the area for generations, so on my first visit I had to smile as there is a photo of the bakers that my Mum used to talk about going to when she was a little girl, B.Smulevitch, that used to be in Well Street and according to her used to have the best bread and cakes in the area. There is also the confusing map that I used to like pressing all the buttons on when I was little from Dalston.
If you are lucky they will also have an exhibition on which at the moment until May 18 is Making her Mark 100 years of woman’s activism in Hackney, which was really interesting.
If you are planning to go along note that they are not open on a Monday, Sunday or on Bank Holidays. It's free to enter and you can stay for as long or short a time as you wish.
It’s well worth a visit and I am sure that you will find something to interest you.
It’s a real little gem of a museum located on the ground floor of the Hackney Library and here you can learn all about the people who made Hackney their home in previous times right up to the diversity of the present day neighbourhood.
There are a few interactive areas for children, interesting exhibits and the staff are friendly and very helpful.
My family have lived in the area for generations, so on my first visit I had to smile as there is a photo of the bakers that my Mum used to talk about going to when she was a little girl, B.Smulevitch, that used to be in Well Street and according to her used to have the best bread and cakes in the area. There is also the confusing map that I used to like pressing all the buttons on when I was little from Dalston.
If you are lucky they will also have an exhibition on which at the moment until May 18 is Making her Mark 100 years of woman’s activism in Hackney, which was really interesting.
If you are planning to go along note that they are not open on a Monday, Sunday or on Bank Holidays. It's free to enter and you can stay for as long or short a time as you wish.
It’s well worth a visit and I am sure that you will find something to interest you.
Written March 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Curmo
Clevedon, UK222 contributions
Ideal for a quick dip into Hackney's history
Aug 2017 • Solo
The current temporary exhibition covers local screen printing and it really brings to life the diversity of this part of London through examples of campaigns and causes supported over the years. The permanent exhibition is always worth a look - the scope is really comprehensive and there is a good mix of written / oral history v.s. artefacts. No matter what your age or ethnicity is, you will find something of interest. This is a relatively low budget museum on the ground floor of Hackney Library. Go in and take a look - you will get drawn in!
Written August 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mel_Who_Sings
Dorset113 contributions
Excellent local museum - definitely worth a visit
Jul 2017 • Family
We came to this museum as we were in the area to see the Victor Wynd Museum (see other reviews) but we were so glad we visited here too. This is a superb local museum which really brings to life the diversity of Hackney. It uses exhibits well to tell the past and present stories of how people have come to Hackney from all over the world. The interpretation is excellent, with just the right amount of information displayed in easily read panels, or through audio recordings. We were there for over an hour and enjoyed our visit immensely - the museum was always interesting, informative and revelatory. We traveled from central London where were staying, to visit the Hackney Museum and The Victor Wynd Musuem and both were really worth the journey - unique and interesting in different ways.
Written July 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
teatotal2015
Greater London, UK3 contributions
American Pop Art, Andy Warhol et. all, displayed in a room at present within the Hackney Museum.
Jul 2017 • Solo
Nice to be able to walk around at my leisure, viewing the Artists famous work displayed around the room or sit watching the videos about the Artists for as long as I liked, as it is not so well known, no crowds. I came and went and came back again without any difficulty and best of all it was all free to view. The day I went it was raining, your stay could be a short one or for many hours if you wish it, within the actual Museum. I also looked around at the artefacts about the lives of the Hackney people displayed in the museum, and even a Museum shop too.
Written July 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marsha S
Colorado Springs, CO786 contributions
What Events and People Shape The Hackney of Today?
May 2017 • Friends
Hackney bustles with diversity in people and cultures. I live in Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale, CA) and I can find many similarities between where I live and Hackney. For example, there is a Hindu temple next door to me in CA and more Indian restaurants than MacDonalds (but far less than Starbucks).
This museum tackles, quite successfully the seismic shifts in population from the first Anglo Saxon settlers to the present with emphasis on the WWII years to the present. The displays are often moving when dealing with life after the war.
When combined with The Geffrye Almshouses and Museum (also in Hackney) you will have a very good feel for what it was like and is like to be a Londoner. Together they make for a fine day of exploration or half day if you only have a short time in the area.
This museum tackles, quite successfully the seismic shifts in population from the first Anglo Saxon settlers to the present with emphasis on the WWII years to the present. The displays are often moving when dealing with life after the war.
When combined with The Geffrye Almshouses and Museum (also in Hackney) you will have a very good feel for what it was like and is like to be a Londoner. Together they make for a fine day of exploration or half day if you only have a short time in the area.
Written May 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have a handkerchief game table manufactured by Matthew Rose and Sons. It is a beautiful piece of furniture. Really hard here in the state's to find out about Matthew Rose and Sons furniture. I have only seen one piece in an auction in London. It would be greatly appreciated if you could assist me with any information what so ever.
Thank you
Alice Lee
DaphneDuMaurier
24 contributions
You might also contact the curators at the Victoria and Albert museum.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hackney Museum
- Hackney Museum is open:
- Tue - Wed 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Thu - Thu 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Sat - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Hackney Museum:
- (0.10 mi) The Old Ship Inn
- (0.20 mi) Travelodge London Hackney Hotel
- (0.20 mi) Kip Hotel
- (0.35 mi) Flynns Guesthouse
- (0.76 mi) Premier Inn London Hackney Hotel
- Restaurants near Hackney Museum:
- (0.02 mi) Pierrette
- (0.03 mi) Hackney Picturehouse
- (0.10 mi) Lardo
- (0.09 mi) The Old Ship Pub
- (0.13 mi) Temple of Seitan