East London Creative Exploration since 2012

East London walking tours with Hackney guide and artivist Simon Cole, a popular London tour guide with 17 years tourism experience.

Writer & performer; award-nominated creator of London’s first women’s history running tour, Hackney Wick Culture Jam walks, social enterprise & sustainability walking tours and the Hackney Alternative Statue Tour.

Scroll down for walks, go to news/blog; listen to hidden history podcasts; mailing list/contact; . You missed (William) Blake to (Walter) Benjamin but there’s plenty more going on.

Perhaps you saw in the Hackney Gazette that I was in Ukraine delivering aid in Feb, as one half of By Hand Ukraine? Or perhaps you’ve seen the Netflix series Transatlantic and caught me on Walk Listen Create celebrating the brilliant Lisa Fittko as part of my search for Walter Benjamin’s mythical missing briefcase?

I’ve worked for universities, companies, charities, hostels, language schools and more. I’ve also appeared at festivals and trained other guides. You can hire me privately as a writer, presenter, facilitator or guide. Just get in touch here.

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SPRING 2023

I’m busy doing ‘conventional’ tourism many days in central London but look out for ongoing free social walks courtesy of Hackney Council:

Book here (scroll down to ‘Walks of Interest’) or contact Darren English (Darren.English@hackney.gov.uk).

ARTS UPDATE

On the arts front, at the Kent gem that is Faversham Literary Festival, I brought a project to the stage about my walks into the world of Walter Benjamin and modern refugees. It’s a journey that has taken me volunteering from Kent to Calais and even to Kyiv in Ukraine.

So how does the ‘radical Hackney’ of the 1700s and William Blake connect with this and the 1930s of Benjamin? Well you’ll just have to come and see the show. Or hire me to give this hour-long talk at your community group or venue. It’s still being revised, but it’ll look something like this (thanks to brilliant Hackney illustrator Sarah Finke):

AUTUMN 2022

It’s the Open House Festival at Grow Hackney on Saturday 10th September. Come down and meet community partners, see the open studios and enjoy the vibe.

East London routes with psychogeographical roots…

SUMMER 2022

Look out for ongoing tours of the radical writers of Abney Park cemetery, special events with Grow, Hackney and the forthcoming London Festival of Architecture and Open House. Scroll down for tours new and old.

Radical Writers of Stoke Newington and Abney Park

Take a dive into the radical literary past of Stoke Newington and historic nature reserve Abney Park on Saturday 16th April. What can we learn from those who used the pen to fight for a better world and how is the dissent of the past relevant to today’s struggles?

From Calais to Kyiv fundraiser

Join us at Newington Green Meeting House on 19th April for a fundraiser where I’ll be sharing a mini version of my powerful (William Blake to) Walter Benjamin story, soon to be a show. Hear from a local artist illustrating it and explore what it says about us today. Plus a talk about inclusivity towards refugees from a veteran activist PLUS **live music** from award-winning Jelly Cleaver! Book here.

Blake to Benjamin – a Hackney Tours Walk in Hackney Wick

As Brexit, Covid and climate change conspire to keep us increasingly at home, how can the local help us explore the global?

For over a decade, international walking artist Simon Cole has been tracing William Blake’s golden thread through the streets of Hackney Wick – responding to place.

How does Walter Benjamin’s famously unfinished Arcades Project connect with Blake, the refugee crisis and our lifestyles today?

A special event 4th April at Grow as part of the Hello Again, Hackney series of events.

Pilgrimage of Dissent

Join us 13th March on a collaboration between Hackney Tours, Newington Green Meeting House and Bunhill Fields cemetery as we explore centuries of dissent with Nonconformists of East London past and present. From William Blake to Mary Wollstonecraft and the antifascists of the 43 Group, we’ll walk in the footsteps of reformers and radicals.

 

NEW FOR WINTER 2021 AND #COP26…

Grow Outside: East London Changemakers Bike Tour

You may not know that Hackney Tours has been innovating in travel for a decade. How can tourism help us address global issues like climate change? Come find out as we rediscover local wonder and take inspiration from East London changemakers in Hackney, past and present.

 

Abney Park & Stoke Newington Radical Writers Tour

Abney Park and Stoke Newington are rich in literary history, much of it connected to Hackney’s tradition of dissent. Join us for a walk back through time to see how the radical writers of N16 helped shape our world today.

PREVIOUSLY…

What did you miss earlier this year? There was the sold out Gothic Tour of Abney Park cemetery at Halloween, but you can still catch the Radical Writers tour of Abney Park coming up on 27th November. Stay tuned here for more.

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Summer 2021:

What’s really going on in Hackney Wick? Check out this SMALL GROUP OUTDOOR alternative walk that’s not like any other.

#HackneyWickCultureJam:  a no censorship, deep dive – let’s deconstruct the Wick? You can also find my art walks for Estuary Festival 2021, London Festival of Architecture and Open House at the same link.

Did you miss the Hackney Wick community conversation Tue 13th April with Grow Hackney and my #WickSpeaks! collaborators The People Speak, as we asked where next after lockdown? Yes, it was Talkaoke time in the Wick!

Recently:

Join me Wed 10th Feb with Grow Hackney as we explore what a walking artist may or may not be in Hackney Wick. Then I’ll be co-hosting another Talkaoke on Thu 25th Feb with my #WickSpeaks! collaborators The People Speak.

During the long nights, we explored Abney Park after-dark. This Magnificent Seven cemetery is the perfect place to bring the Gothic alive. Join us for a virtual tour on Wed 10th Feb then a discussion. What’s the 2021 equivalent of Frankenstein? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

17th Feb we explored Psychogeography and how walking artists link to this with Grow of Hackney Wick.

25th February I co-hosted another #Talkaoke with my brilliant #WickSpeaks! collaborators The People Speak. Catch me on their blog here. GET INVOLVED!

Previously:

Did you miss the Open House walking tours (below) in Hackney Wick? You could have joined in the exploration with a unique FREE ‘people’s tour’ Sat 17th October, in collaboration with the East London international artists collective The People Speak. 

East Berlin to East Village – Sat 26th 2pm and 4PM walks; Sat Oct 3rd 4pm; new walk just added Sun Oct 4th 4pm.

Cool East London Hots Up: Arts Under Pressure – Weds 16 Sep & 23 Sep walks FULL

Hidden Hackney, Future London? (see more below) – Sat Oct 3rd

Covid-Era Wanders: Doorstep Wonder, Local Lifelines? – Tue 22 Sep online adventure

Hidden London: Life Support – Sat 26 Sep online adventure

Join the mailing list, or check out these other explorations, new for 2020 as we go deeper on our own doorstep:

Back on the street! On this unique walk, come discover Hidden Hackney, Future London? in our own backyard. Get inspired, get involved, change the world – starting at home!

BOOK THIS *ALL OUTDOOR* EXPERIENCE HERE.

 

Explore the historic – and highly beautiful – River Lea in this brand new collaboration with Leaside Canoe Club (Sun 11/10). Join our small fun group tour on the water! Your custom helps this charity do good in the community. Check them out in #ExtraordinaryE5!

BOOK THIS *ALL OUTDOOR* EXPERIENCE HERE.

It’s been a busy year, with lots to explore. Previously:

NEW! Hackney Tours is #HackneyDifferent and brought you London’s Women’s History running tour and now quite possibly the first Alternative Statue Tour. Who should be up there and why? We celebrated Hackney heroes past and present, joining the conversation about who we put on a plinth – and why? Look out for another one soon.

Hackney Tours is Social. Discover Social Enterprise Borough Hackney.

Cliquez ici pour découvrir l’Est de Londres avec un anglais francophone.

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Locked down in East London? Check out the blog posts to catch up on what you might have missed. See the Instagram feed to see things #HackneyDifferent.

Watch out for the return of Changemaker walks or read how they offer insight into ‘shocks’ like Corona.

Read about Hackney Wick explorations and why the Arts really matter in East London.

Find out what Mary Wollstonecraft’s birthday has got to do with Marcus Aurelius, Stoicism and virtue?

HERE’S WHAT YOU MISSED LAST YEAR, PRE-COVID

 

Special edition of the changemaker walk Sat 14th Dec – fundraiser for Hackney Winter Night Shelter. Finishes at the Ethical Winter’s Fair at the exciting Zero Ldn project in Gillett Square. Discover them now, before they’re famous!

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World Changers in Hackney: free with Hackney Council Sat 19th Oct. Details of this and more FREE walks here.

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‘Hidden Hackney Wick’ (for Hackney Wicked festival, Sat 27th & 28th July)

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6th & 13th July:

Hidden Hackney: Walking in Wonder with Champions & Changemakers.

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15th June: ‘Follow Me – I’m Lost!’ FREE Pyschogeography (or is it?) Dalston Dérive for Antiuniversity. See News section or book here.

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9th June: Stoke Newington Literary Festival SOLD OUT.

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28th May: East London Innovators, Embercombe Changemakers: an experimental sustainability walk. See blog post here.

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Previously: by-donation fundraiser walk as part of the Commune Festival to Save Stour Space, 27-28th April. Leaves 1.30pm from Hackney Wick Overground station, Sunday 28th April. Arrives 3pm at Stour Space for the art auction.

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You missed these events below too, but sign up here for updates for more Hackney walking exploration soon or read the latest blog piece:

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Free walk to Victoria Park courtesy of Hackney Council 17th March.

 

Unconventional and alternative walks, from social enterprise to social history, radical politics to psychogeography, including 2019 collaborations with artist Louisa Albani.

 

Free walks, Sat 2nd Feb & Sun 17th Mar, courtesy of partners Hackney Council:

Sign up details here at Hackney Walking.

And here’s just some of what you missed in 2018…

“One of the best experiences I’ve had in London for years.”

“We got such an amazing insight into the local area…”

“Fascinating and inspiring…”

“…a brilliant blend of knowledgeable, friendly and interesting

…I learned a ton and I only live down the road in Hackney”

Exploring #HackneyDifferent since 2009

Social Enterprise Borough Hackney

Photos 2 & 3: Frank Da Silva

See the news page for updates or scroll down for previous tours…

Throughout 2018 we’ll be looking at Hackney with the help of a prism: the events of 1968, particularly Paris in May. Check out the Instagram hashtag #Hackney68.

Missed Hackney Tours at Stoke Newington Literary Festival? And at Antiuniversity? Or the (even more) experimental Half Day Holidays offshoot at Margate Bookie lit’ fest’?

Check out the first collaboration with award-winning Clapton bookstore Pages of Hackney, as we search for the Clapton Beach along with the new Mobile Museum! Book here.

Want to join this family-friendly walk with the Wick Award?

Did you miss the alternative East London adventure #JustDontCallItBastilleDay?

Did you miss our Situationist-inspired wander to the Spring Bookie, Margate’s new literary festival, as we looked for the beach not just metaphorically but literally too?

SAT 17th MAR: FREE WALK IN WOODBERRY DOWN (sign up here)

WED 7th MAR: ABNEY PARK AFTER-DARK GOTHIC TOUR. SOLD OUT (details here)

SAT 24th FEB: #IainSinclairSoldOut – FREE DERIVE ADVENTURE TO FAVERSHAM LITERARY FESTIVAL, WITH OUR FRIENDS DOOMED GALLERY DALSTON (book here).

FRI 23rd FEB: #DiviningDalston – FREE DERIVE ADVENTURE AROUND DIVERSE DALSTON’S RIDLEY ROAD, WITH OUR FRIENDS DOOMED GALLERY DALSTON (part of Terminalia Festival of Pyschogeography, you can book here)

SAT 10th FEB: FRANKENSTEIN, FREEDOM AND SUFFRAGETTES: FORGED IN HACKNEY. BY-DONATION FUNDRAISER WALK ON LONDON BOOKSHOP CRAWL WEEKEND: Book here.

PREVIOUS EVENTS:

SUNDAY 3rd DECEMBER: East End Trades Guild #IndieWknd special Clapton, in conjunction with Bernsteins Bar (price includes food):

Shop local, support your community, keep East London interesting –  all for #IndieWknd

From street art strolls to radical history walks, food market exploration to alternative running tours and photo walks, get in touch to hire us privately (version francais disponible). Join the mailing list here for more new tours.

Listen why we get so excited about walking East London, read the blog or see this interview to get a feel for our Hackney walking tours and artistic explorations:

SUN 17th SEP: HEAR HOW HACKNEY LED THE WAY IN EDUCATION AND RADICAL POLITICS (BOOK HERE):

SAT 16th SEP: DISCOVER MILLFIELDS & CLAPTON (BOOK HERE)

SAT 8th JULY: DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF THE WICK (BOOK HERE):

Image credit Frank Da Silva. Work by Sweet Toof, Aida Wilde and all the great East London street art crew.

1st July: UNSEEN LONDON, UNUSUAL LOCATIONS, EXPERT PHOTO TIPS – ALL FOR FREE WITH ECHO (BOOK HERE):

20th May: GET ACTIVE, GET ENGAGED ON OUR FREE PHOTO WALKS WITH ECHO, (BOOK HERE):

10th June: AS THE ARTISTS THAT MADE HACKNEY WICK SO INTERESTING ARE PUSHED OUT, WE EXPLORE WHY ART, DIY AND WAREHOUSE CULTURE MATTER. PART OF ANTIUNIVERSITY 2017 AND IN COLLABORATION WITH SAVE HACKNEY WICK. BOOK HERE.

5th Mar: THE ORIGINAL LONDON WOMEN’S HISTORY RUNNING TOUR IS BACK FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2017. BOOK AT FUNZING.

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

FEMINIST (OR IS IT…?) WALKING DEBATE TOUR SAT 21st – WOMEN’S MARCH (BOOK AT EVENTBRITE OR FIND US ON FUNZING)

ART FACTORY COMING SOON – HACKNEY WICK WONDER WALK (BOOK AT EVENTBRITE OR FIND US ON FUNZING)

SATURDAY DALSTON FOOD TOURS (BOOK AT EVENTBRITE OR FIND US ON FUNZING)

SUNDAY 4th DECEMBER – EAST LONDON INDEPENDENTS’ DAY TOUR (BOOK AT EVENTBRITE OR FIND US AT FUNZING)

SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER – EAST LONDON INDEPENDENTS’ DAY – FREE COMMUNITY STROLL FROM HACKNEY MUSEUM (E8 1GQ) 11am ARRIVING AT THE LAUNCH OF:

SUNDAY 6th NOVEMBER (BOOK HERE)

WEDNESDAY 26th OCTOBER (BOOK  HERE) with 6heads

SATURDAY 22nd OCTOBER with Echo

Engaging East London experiences

(beta website revamp, content undergoing review)

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY: EAST LONDON DOES GOOD

Innovative community and sustainability projects making better cities

HACKNEY WICK THE NEW SHOREDITCH?

Street art, DIY culture, alternative living and future East London

ABNEY PARK: IN THE MIDST OF DEATH WE ARE IN LIFE!

Social history & radical politics to crucial biodiversity: Abney is London

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SUBVERSIVE STOKE NEWINGTON: THE HACKNEY REBEL TOUR

Radicals, rebels, reformers, revolutionaries in N16

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WORLD CHANGING WOMEN OF HACKNEY

Feminism-founders, fame and infamy: the radical women of Hackney

EXTRAORDINARY E5: CLAPTON

Characters, controversy  & conservation; Vikings to vertical take-off as history meets nature by the marshes

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Coming soon…

EAST LONDON DOES WEST

West End Yin to East London Yang: an alternative take on central London…

Click here

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CONTACT & SOCIAL MEDIA:

You can: like Hackney Tours on Facebook; email hackneytours @gmail.com; follow @hackneytours; call 07974 123 191…

…or use the contact form here.

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