A stylized illustration of the tower in hackney with mountains and trees in the background from 13th century, created with a yellow and black halftone pattern.

The historic heart of Hackney

Climb the 135 steps of Hackney’s oldest building and enjoy panoramic views of East London and the City

We’re open to visit on the last Sunday of every month

(except December)

Opening times
2pm – 4.30pm

Admission Free

(no booking required)

Visit the Tower

A cityscape view from a rooftop showing historic stone building with arched windows in the foreground and modern skyscrapers in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A cityscape view from a rooftop showing historic stone building with arched windows in the foreground and modern skyscrapers in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

St John‘s Church Gardens
Mare Street
Hackney
London
E8 1HT

View Google Map here

what3words sleep.exist.charmingly

Train
Hackney Central Station
Mildmay Line

Hackney Downs Station
Weaver Line

Bus
242, 253, 254, 48, 55, 106, 38, 30, 32, 276

All stop nearby

Access
There is a ramp to access the ground floor, where there is a small exhibition.

Access to the upper floors and the top of the tower is via a winding stone staircase.

Visitors who are unable to climb the steps can enjoy the exhibition material online [here] and a virtual panorama from the top of the tower here: viewopolis.com/views/staugustinestowerhackney/

A colored illustration of a historic hackney with a large church tower in the center, surrounded by houses and trees, with a dirt field in the foreground where a woman with a cart and horse, and another person walking are depicted.
A colored illustration of a historic hackney with a large church tower in the center, surrounded by houses and trees, with a dirt field in the foreground where a woman with a cart and horse, and another person walking are depicted.

History

St Augustine’s Tower is Hackney’s oldest building, dating from 1275

Below are a series of publications about
the history of the Tower and the wider
borough of Hackney

History of St Augustine’s Tower

Christopher Urswick’s restoration

Hackney through the ages C10-C18

Hackney through the ages C18-C21

Support us

A tall stone church tower with small windows, a clock, and a trees casting shadows on its surface, under a clear blue sky.
A tall stone church tower with small windows, a clock, and a trees casting shadows on its surface, under a clear blue sky.

Donate

We’re always keen to hear from local volunteers to help with open days and special events, such as tours, exhibitions and Santa’s Grotto. If you would like to get involved, please email info@hhbt.org.uk.

Make a donation here

Donate
Donate
A weather vane mounted on a wooden pole with a cloudy sky in the background.
A weather vane mounted on a wooden pole with a cloudy sky in the background.

Volunteer with us

We are grateful to English Heritage and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding repairs to the building and the exhibition. We are grateful to all those who give donations, large or small, which enable us to maintain the Tower and open it to the public.

St Augustine's tower with large leafless trees in the foreground and a grassy area with purple flowers at the base.
St Augustine's tower with large leafless trees in the foreground and a grassy area with purple flowers at the base.

Our supporters

We are a Registered Charity and receive no regular funding to look after the Tower. We need your help to continue to open to the public every month, free-of-charge, and run events for the community, such as Santa’s Grotto.

Two young men looking at a map inside a stone-walled museum or historical site. One wears a red jacket with lace details, the other a dark jacket with lace sleeves. Posters with historical images are in the background.
Two young men looking at a map inside a stone-walled museum or historical site. One wears a red jacket with lace details, the other a dark jacket with lace sleeves. Posters with historical images are in the background.

Hire the Tower

A woman in a blue dress standing barefoot on a rooftop, reaching up towards the sky with her arms raised, in front of a large wooden utility pole with metal support wires, against a cityscape background with buildings and a partly cloudy sky.
A woman in a blue dress standing barefoot on a rooftop, reaching up towards the sky with her arms raised, in front of a large wooden utility pole with metal support wires, against a cityscape background with buildings and a partly cloudy sky.

The Tower is available for hire
For more information and pricing contact Hackney Historic Buildings Trust

info@hhbt.org.uk

Please note there is no heating or WCs