When the sun comes out, Londoners find a park. So, we asked our local experts about one of London’s oldest and most beloved, Victoria Park. What’s it like to live near one of East London’s most cherished local scenes when the temperature rises? Foxtons Hackney office will clue you in.
Ask an expert
From Emilia, in our Foxtons Hackney office:
I have personally lived in Hackney my whole life and would ideally never leave. Victoria Park is perfect for a Saturday night with all the pubs and restaurants it offers but also for Sunday day time to wonder through the park with your friends or family. When the weather is warmer, a lot of people will have a picnic and play sports with their nearest and dearest. It is the perfect London location for being surrounded by green places but being so centrally and well located.
Photo: Victoria Park, London by Tea, two sugars | CC BY | Flickr
Q: What’s the biggest perk of living close to Victoria Park?
A: Living by the park is like having your own giant backyard – all 86 hectares of it. You have peaceful walks, picnics, and community events on your doorstep.
Q: When the weather gets hot like this, does everyone go to the park?
A: On a sunny day, the park is definitely buzzing! There are cafes, playgrounds for the kids, a bowling green, tennis courts, a skate park and plenty of space to sunbathe or kick a football around.
Exploring Vicky Park in the sunshine: We recommend a walk along the canal, lunch at the Chinese Pagoda, and bringing the little ones to Victoria Park splash pool.
Photo: Victoria Park skate park by Otakar Hyps | Unsplash
Q: How important is Victoria Park to the local culture and community?
A: Popular is an understatement - Victoria Park is London’s most visited green space.
It’s also London’s oldest public park*, named for Queen Victoria and established to provide recreation space for the overcrowded working classes who lived in East End during Victorian times. So yes, this is an important part of East London culture.
More specifically, Victoria Park is the pride and joy of its community. This is where everyone comes together for events, sports, or just relaxing. When you’re a local, and you can stroll through it on your lunch break or bring a picnic on the weekend, you really feel like you belong.
Right now, we’re in Summer Bandstand season, which are free music events in the park.
*Source: Victoria Park (towerhamlets.gov.uk)
Q: As Victoria Park is a beloved local institution, does property near it carry a premium?
A: Proximity to Victoria Park definitely adds to a property's value. The lifestyle here is popular with people who work in Canary Wharf and the City of London. After a long day’s work in towering glass buildings, it’s comforting to come home to a beautiful period property and take the dog for a walk in one of London’s finest parks.
"It is, in my opinion, the most desirable area in Hackney to live – especially anywhere with views directly onto the park or the canal."
~Emilia, Foxtons Hackney
Also after all that work in financial and professional services, you’re going to want a quick commute. Here, you’ll have fast public transport from the office and easy access to major roads like A11 and A12.
Importantly for families, your children can go to excellent local schools. Our local expert Emilia said, about going to Gatehouse as a child, “it was the most amazing school – every week we had our sports lessons in the park.”
Q: What types of property tend to be popular near Victoria Park?
A: You’ll find both houses and flats near the park, but families tend to gravitate towards period property with gardens, while young professionals often prefer the convenience of modern flats close to the local shops, markets and transport links.
We currently have this beautiful 4-bedroom home located in the heart of Victoria Park Village, on the market now:
Don’t dream it, live it.
Read: First-time buyer guide
If you’re dreaming of your perfect home near Victoria Park, we’re not surprised. It is a gorgeous area to settle down. The good news is that you’re probably closer to it than you think...
The market may actually be on your side. There is good news for buyers and sellers who don’t want the Election to slow them down, and the good news for first-time buyers with 5% deposits and 10% deposits.
We have an excellent range of all kinds of homes for sale and apartments to rent near Victoria Park right now.
Photo: Just south of Victoria Park, the glamourous homes at Bow Green give London commuters some lovely natural scenery and a lively community to come home to. See how in The value of green space: Designing East London's dreamiest new homes.
Why new build? First-time buyers and busy professionals love the low energy bills, incredible amenities and easy on-site management. Read our article to learn more about the new build lifestyle.
