Art, culture & creativity

Hackney is home to some of the capital's fastest-growing areas, including Stoke Newington, Dalston and the Claptons (Lower and Upton).

And if money's still burning a hole, Hackney's shops and markets sell temptation by the truckload, from vintage fabrics and designer must-haves to rare meats and artisanal bread.

No area guide to Hackney would complete without a shout out to the iconic Hackney Empire, which has hosted the biggest names in comedy, including local lad Micky Flanagan.

Talking of local lads' done good', Hackney is also where our founder, Asad Riaz, grew up.