1Neighborhoods
Hackney Wick's cheap warehouse space made it one of East London's biggest concentrations of artist studios before the 2012 Olympics, and though redevelopment has chipped away at that scene, murals and graffiti still cover much of the area along the canal. It sits directly against Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, so a walk here can combine former Olympic venues with the grittier, more improvised feel of the Wick itself.
Independent breweries and taprooms have moved into old factory units, taking advantage of the same low-cost spaces that once housed artists. It remains one of London's rawer, less finished neighbourhoods, which is largely the point.
✨ Reasons to go
- 1Cheap warehouse space made it one of East London's largest artist-studio districts before the 2012 Olympics
- 2Old factory units now house independent breweries and taprooms alongside the remaining studios
- 3It borders Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, so former Olympic venues sit next to canal-side street art
💡 Good to know
- 1Walk the canal towpath from the Wick into the Olympic Park
- 2look out for street art on Wallis Road and around the old factory units
- 3visit a canalside taproom or brewery on a weekend afternoon.
⏱️ Typical visit
1h15
🕰️ Best time
afternoon or early evening
🚶 Walking intensity
Active — lots of walking
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