DALSTON, E8

Dalston is a popular residential district in Hackney, only 4 miles from the City of London. It is part of a large and trendy northeast London area which also includes Islington, Stoke Newington, London Fields, and Shoreditch.

Dalston is known for its cultural vibrancy and diversity forged by residents of various social and ethnic backgrounds settling in the area in the past few centuries. Today, Dalston’s proximity to the City of London and Shoreditch attracts the growing international tech crowd, young professionals and artists. A wide range of independent art galleries, performing art venues and clubs form a perfect environment for London’s creatives, while excellent schools and the green and sustainable living ‘ethos’ of the Borough of Hackney make it a living location of choice for many city-bound families.

Dalston is one of the two largest town centres in the Borough of Hackney. Its architecture is a wide mix of Georgian and Victorian terraced houses, industrial-style warehouses, and contemporary housing developments. The district is home to some outstanding period conversions as well as fine examples of architect-designed modern homes often built as infill site projects. Dalston’s town centre is one of the beneficiaries of the UK government's 2022 Levelling UP Fund, which has been allocated to Hackney for future infrastructure investments in the borough.

History

Once a leafy Victorian suburb, Dalston’s economic rise followed the arrival of the North London railway line, which cut through Hackney in the early 1860s. St Mark’s Church, the German Hospital on Ritson Road, the Rio Cinema on Kingsland High Street, and the Art Deco Simsons Factory are the most prominent heritage buildings in Dalston still standing today, and all date from the 19th and the early 20^th century.

Dalston went through a period of decline in the second half of the 20^th century as most of its post-war housing was deemed ‘unsatisfactory’. Its dated transport infrastructure didn’t manage to attract investments, and the local industry with jobs were relocating fast from the area. Although dated, the district’s cheap housing attracted settlers and immigrants mainly from Africa, the Caribbean, Turkey and Vietnam. Also, with empty industrial premises and low rents during the 1990s, the area became a magnet for a new generation of artists, musicians, and nightlife promoters. Most recently, new tech industries and design and branding companies followed suit.

The arrival of the London Overground services in 2010 was a ‘game changer’ for Dalston. Better connections with the rest of London elevated the high street, attracting more businesses and investments to settle in the area, which in turn, fostered more jobs for local people.

Culture and Entertainment

Dalston’s main town artery is Kingsland Road / Kingsland High Street. This bustling market street is packed with excellent places to eat, drink and entertain, and is home to Ridley Road Market dating back to the 1880s. The culinary scene is exceptional with authentic Turkish restaurants, classy Japanese and Italian eateries and plenty of trendy vegan dining options.

EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) and Rio Cinema are the top places for contemporary performing arts in Dalston well-known as muti-arts venues with eclectic programmes of live music, theatre, cinema, comedy, poetry, book promotions, workshops and so on.

Other notable entertainment places are The Haggerston and Dalston Den venues offering a varied programme of live music events.

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is a recent parklet built on a disused Eastern Curve railway line. This green oasis, run by the community and for the benefit of residents, was created in 2010 as a meeting place and a social enterprise. Another local favourite pocket park is the charming De Beauvoir Rose Garden, a secluded green sanctuary moment from the bustling Kingsland Road. The district is well-linked with Hackney’s star parks, London Fields and Hackney Downs Park.

Dalston’s large creative hub includes many studios, independent galleries and an impressive street art scene. The Chocolate Factory N16 is home to 27 art studios providing space for illustrators, ceramicists, printmakers, lighting designers, illustrators, painters, photographers, filmmakers, and graphic designers. V22 Ashwin Street and Yard in the centre of Dalston is another creative art workplace building with space for 30 artists.

Transport, Travel Zone 2

Dalston, Dalston Kingsland and Haggerston stations are all part of the London Overground network.

·        Dalston and Haggerston have trains to Shoreditch High Street for the City and Canada Water.

·        Dalston Kingsland station runs trains to Stratford and Highbury & Islington.  

Buses: 30, 38, 56, 67, 76, 149, 236, 242, 243, 277, 488

Cycling: Dalston is on CS1, Cycle Superhighway 1, the route that links Moorgate to Tottenham and cuts through Dalston. As part of Hackney’s impressive cycling infrastructure, the district offers access to routes to all London boroughs, from Westminster to Greenwich.

Developments

Dalston Square

Dalston Curve

FiftySevenEast

Dalston Lane

Dalston Lane Terrace

Monohaus

Century Quarter House

The Vibe

Council: Hackney

For the current council tax rates click HERE

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