East London hotspot Hackney Wick has been crowned the “coolest” place to live in the capital.
The area, known for its parks, craft beer and art, came out on top of a list of 50 coolest places across the capital, according to a Naturecan poll of 5,000 people.
Spitalfields came in second, followed by Walthamstow, Tottenham and Brixton, in fifth.
The locations were ranked according to the number of independent shops per head of population, the range of cultural events, their popularity as a location for films and television shows and how well the area’s best features can be captured on social media.
Hackney Wick has featured in a number of films and TV series, including Netflix’s Bridgerton and the James Bond classic Die Another Day.
It is also known for its proximity to large green spaces, including Victoria Park and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, canal walks, street art and food markets.
It also offers a plethora of independent cafes, bars and craft breweries, including a string of drinking holes situated on the canal that make for a perfect summer’s evening.
The Here East business centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park houses restaurants and startups, while Olympic sports venues nearby include the London Stadium, now home to West Ham United, and the indoor cycling track at Lee Valley Velopark.
Hackney Wick played a central role in east London’s industrial history, with a silk factory arriving in the area by the late 18th century. A number of manufacturing businesses set up in the decades that followed, including for toys, confectionary and dry-cleaning.
The area suffered a social decline as a result, and did not gain a rail station until 1980.
After a period of stagnation, artists moved in and converted industrial spaces into studios, paving the way for a wave of young professionals who now call Hackney Wick home.
Hackney Wick was ranked 25th on the national list of the top 50 coolest places to live.
Coastal fishing village Polperro in Cornwall was named the coolest place to live in the UK. Famous for its historic fisherman’s cottages and idyllic views, it’s a British summer hotspot and also popular among artists.
Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk came in second on the national list, followed by Marlow in Buckinghamshire, Morecambe in Lancashire and then the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool.
Other neighbourhoods deemed the coolest in the UK include Ely in Cambridgeshire, West End in Glasgow and Hastings in Sussex.
Naturecan’s chief executive Andy Duckworth said: “What is interesting is how influential Instagram has become in boosting tourism in many of our top 50. It is a massive help for visitor numbers, too, if a popular film or TV show uses London as a location.
“Hidden gems which are largely only visited by local tourists can find themselves being showcased throughout the world if they are pictured by the right influencer or featured in a movie.”
