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Art and culture activities in London Borough of Hackney

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5 out of 5 average rating, 4 reviews

Explore Hackney with an artist

Get to know Hackney the local way! • To begin, we’ll step into my world as a painter with a hands-on session in my Hackney studio, a lively space shared with other artists. You’ll get a feel for mixing colours and making paint, discovering your own creative instincts along the way. • Through experimenting with pigments and mixing colours from scratch, you’ll see how they interact in unexpected ways. No experience is needed—just a willingness to explore! You can take your experiments home as a keepsake of the day • Then, we’ll explore some of the neighbourhoods hidden gems, from spots filled with music to the perfect place for a coffee break, plus shops overflowing with unique finds. There will also be some animal and nature encounters sprinkled along the way.

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Turn London snaps into a handmade zine

Print a paper keepsake at Photobook happy hour with a pro photographer. Enter Photobook cafe Explore the zine history and get inspired by a vast archive located in our cafe. Whilst you have a browse grab a drink from out bar. Design your own zine Select phone pics to turn them into a personalized keepsake. Sip, socialize and curate Have a drink on us as you curate your design, send to print! The fold, staple and trim.

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Explore London’s flower market and craft your own bouquet

With a hot drink in hand from my favorite coffee shop, spend the morning with me, an experienced florist, learning the rich history of the Columbia Road Flower Market in East London. Stroll through the bustling stalls, selecting your own fresh blooms before heading back to my workshop for a hands-on bouquet-making session. • You’ll skip the crowds and enjoy VIP access at one of the busiest stalls at the market, and get insider knowledge on seasonal blooms and one-on-one advice along the way. • After picking up flowers, we’ll take a scenic walk down Brick Lane, soaking in its street art and vibrant atmosphere. At the studio, you’ll learn the art of spiraling and bouquet arrangement in an intimate workshop setting. • Our workshop wraps up with a Q&A, where you’ll learn expert flower care tips to keep your arrangement fresh long after you head home. Columbia Road Flower Market is a bustling botanical paradise in London's East End. With me as your guide, you’ll see it through the lens of someone who knows its hidden corners and long-standing traders, and leave with not only a beautiful handcrafted bouquet but also a deeper appreciation for the craft, the market’s history, and the stories behind every stem.

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Create a custom football jersey at a Shoreditch football bar

London’s 17 professional football clubs ensure that the game—and its ever-changing style—are woven into the fabric of the city. In my friendly football-themed craft beer pub, I’ll guide you through kit history and help you make your own shirt. • We’ll explore classic football shirt designs, tracking their evolution through the lens of London’s design culture. • I’ll help you design and make your own football shirt, even heat-pressing your name, number, and other customizable elements. • We’ll wrap up by watching a historic England match on the big screen in a reserved private booth while you enjoy a special It’s Coming Home lager from our own Match Day Brewery. You’ll leave wearing the kit you’ve always secretly wanted, and with a deeper appreciation for football’s role in the life of the city.

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4.94 out of 5 average rating, 190 reviews

Secret Old London

Walking through the ancient streets of London, you'll learn what lies beneath your feet, from 14th century Black Death victims to a long lost Roman Ampitheatre. Standing by some of the most foreboding locations in the city, I'll tell you about the gruesome executions which took place here, and the partying and revelry which accompanied them! You'll be taken within the shell of a church destroyed in the Blitz, and be led into the park which displays one of the most touching memorials to self sacrifice you could possibly imagine. The walk lasts 1.5 hours and will leave a lasting impression of a different side to London's deep and extraordinary history. Other things to note Your guide will be easily identifiable with a flag and friendly smile. There are no toilet or refreshment breaks during the tour, so please be prepared.

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 91 reviews

The Haunted Pubs of Old London

Explore London's most chilling haunted pubs! Hear the stories behind centuries-old boozers and imbibe the atmosphere, as we take a walk through historic London. Discover some of the most stunning traditional pubs that London has to offer, escorted by a qualified historian, who grew up in the area. Make new friends and taste great beers, in this fun, yet informative journey back in time! • Hear tales of the infamous resurrection men, who snatched bodies from local graveyards • See the site of some of London's bloodiest executions • Learn about gruesome murders, apparitions and Faustian pacts • Visit a medieval plague pit, dating back to the Black Death • Check out filming locations from Four Weddings and a Funeral, Brave heart, Shakespeare in Love, V for Vendetta, Skyfall, Closer, Snatch, Sherlock and Poirot • See the City of London's oldest house and its oldest church

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 134 reviews

Learn to Screen Print in Hackney

Learn the basics of screen printing onto fabric with paper stencils at my fully equipped studio in a converted Victorian Chocolate Factory in Hackney N16. Enjoy a relaxing, creative time in this wonderful pattern-filled space and discover all the tips and tricks to pulling your very own print! I will guide you through the whole process and we'll each try a quick sample print onto fabric, to spark ideas and show you the ropes. You'll then have time to create paper stencils using scissors and/or scalpel, ready to print your final unique design onto either a tote bag or tea towel. Be creative with the many examples, stencils and imagery on display in my studio or bring along your own drawings, photos and ideas to work from. No experience necessary as wonderful prints can be made from very simple shapes and patterns! All inks are water-based and solvent-free. Price includes a choice of tote bag or tea towel for each participant. Most dates are currently set as private bookings, so you can enjoy the class with exclusive one to one tuition or share the experience with friends and family. Please make sure to add the correct number of guests attending to view the final cost of the workshop. Children are also very welcome to attend age 7 and above. Do get in touch if you don't see the date/time you are looking for as I am at my studio most days to offer an alternative.

5 out of 5 average rating, 27 reviews

Beer Included Pub Tour with a Scotsman

Who’s coming down the pub? The question that’s music to every British persons ears! This experience is great for folk that want a truly authentic British experience of ‘going down the pub’ All of the pubs we’ll visit have historical significance although that’s not why I’ve chosen them. I’ve chosen them based on one simple thing, they’re all great pubs! London has over 3000 pubs to choose from and it can be daunting trying to find the good ones but I’ve done the research (hard work I know!) and chosen a few of my favourites. We’ll visit an original gin palace, one voted the hardest to find, an authentic London boozer and a couple of other gems! Being Scottish we have to stop at the William Wallace memorial close to the first pub. Discover if Scotlands most famous freedom fighter did really shout 'Freeeeedom!' (spoiler alert, he didn't!). To save you the hassle of getting served at the bar I will get the beers in! A half pint of beer in each pub is included in the price of the experience. We will try various different beers including the ever popular British cask or ‘real ale’ beer. So ‘Who’s coming down the pub’? Slàinte (Cheers!)

5 out of 5 average rating, 2 reviews

Jack the Ripper & the Five Women of Whitechapel

Journey back to Whitechapel 1888... Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly. These are the names of the five women whose lives were brutally cut short by the serial killer commonly known as Jack the Ripper in 1888. In this revealing tour around the streets of Whitechapel, we focus on their story, the lives they led, the London they knew. We will discover the series of events which led them all to fall prey to a murderer, and journey back in time to understand the reasons why the police were never able to solve the case, unpacking the greatest murder mystery of all. Who were the chief suspects? Was Jack actually Jill? Was there a grand conspiracy hushed up by the establishment? On the way we thread through the atmospheric streets of Whitechapel, discovering original buildings from the time, and visiting some of the actual spots where the gruesome murders took place, and the set of circumstances which led them to their fate.

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 78 reviews

Learn Bookbinding in an Artist Studio

We'll meet at my lovely studio where I'll introduce you to the magical world of bookbinding. I'll teach you about the different specialised tools, materials and binding techniques involved in this craft. I'll guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a hardcover book and you will get a chance to choose from a selection of beautiful papers, bookcloths and card to customise your book. At the end of the workshop, you'll take away your very own handmade book which can be used as a notebook, journal, sketchbook or anything else you would like.

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 40 reviews

Secret East London Wandering

Dalston is a diverse, cool and fast-changing area, home to a growing creative community. On this wandering we'll explore some of the area's hidden gems, old and new, including a secret garden, a vibrant multicultural market, a colourful house and a beautiful Turkish mosque. Hear stories about some of the extraordinary people that make London such a special city. I'll also share with you ways in which you can create meaningful connections to the communities, individuals and spaces you might encounter on your own wanderings.

5 out of 5 average rating, 18 reviews

Street Portrait Workshop Developing An Artistic Vision

Have you ever wanted to stop a stranger and take their photo? It happens to me everyday! In the three hours we have together I will coach you on how to stop and speak to strangers. I will help you to think about your creative vision and to work towards creating your own body of work. I also offer further coaching and accountability sessions online after the experience has finished. Living in London is as good as having a photography studio on your doorstep. If you love taking photos of people or want to improve your skills there are few better places in the world to that London to do it. Taking street portraits is about more than just pointing your camera at random strangers and getting a cool photo. It is also about the interaction you have with another person and applying your skills in a very limited amount of time. It may sound scary but it is alot of fun and incredibly rewarding and a great way to meet people too! We will meet in London's East End and then we will hit the streets and work our way across town, stopping people and asking them to take their portrait. I have worked with photographers of all levels, so all are welcome. There will be some instruction on techniques and a lot of exploring of some of the less touristic places in London.

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 19 reviews

Learn Woodcut Printing With An Artist

Due to COVID-19 I will be running my current workshops as either on a one-one basis or as a group maximum of 3 people - this helps to ensure safe social distancing and good hygiene in my studio. The workshop is about learning the use of traditional Japanese hand tools, the process of inking wood blocks, printing on different types of handmade printing paper and developing a new understanding of various techniques in woodcut art. All of which enable you to make numerous fine art prints to take away at the end of of the session! Intro - Cups of tea, coffee or soft drinks followed by some words from me on my printmaking career and a round the table 'meet and greet' from everyone to begin the workshop. Stage 1 - We will cover the use of hand tools to design, draw and cut woodblocks and explore the process of hand printing using traditional Japanese barens (circular discs wrapped in bamboo) and rollers on three types of paper. Stage 2 - Delve a little deeper, showing you how to use multiple blocks and reduction-cutting techniques to create more complex multi colour prints. Stage 3 - This a perfect opportunity to make multiple prints through editions, ending the final part of the session by experimenting with your favourite design or playing various colours. Stage 4 - Everyone’s prints will be wrapped in tissue paper and put in card tubes for safe passage home. Other things to note Please bring anything that may inspire your designs—sketchbooks, photos, fabric, found imagery etc. Plus there are plenty of art books and previous classes' prints to show off this wonderful medium!

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 40 reviews

Abstract Art Class in Private Studio

You will be met very close to Colin's studio which is a unique and bohemian space in a railway arch. The local area is full of creative people and has a relaxed vibe. Colin is a full-time artist and shows and sells his art internationally, this experience is a great insight into the life of an artist and the creative process. First off we will show you around the studio, Colin will show you various examples of his art and the inspiration behind his work and we can find out about each other too! Colin will show you various techniques that he uses in his art and give you demonstrations so you can get an idea of what you may want to create. We will guide you throughout and make it fun - warning - you may get some paint on you! You will be fully immersed in the creative process for over 2 hours and focus on making art, you will find it stimulating and relaxing and hopefully it will take any stresses away and help you re-focus. We love to find out about our guests so there will be plenty of chatting along the way too. We will provide some drinks and nibbles in case you get peckish! You will leave the studio having made your own painting that you can take with you if it's dried in time (if not, we can send it to you afterwards or arrange for you to collect another day)

Art and culture activities in London Borough of Hackney

Art and culture activities led by local experts

Explore Hackney with an artist

Turn London snaps into a handmade zine

Explore London’s flower market and craft your own bouquet

Create a custom football jersey at a Shoreditch football bar

Top-rated art and culture activities

Discover more activities near London Borough of Hackney