A halftone-style illustration of a tall church with a steeple, surrounded by smaller buildings and trees, with a curved hilly landscape in the foreground.

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/

History

Historical illustration of a small town with a church tower in the center, houses with red roofs, trees, and a dirt road with a woman walking with buckets and a person leading a horse-drawn cart.
Historical illustration of a small town with a church tower in the center, houses with red roofs, trees, and a dirt road with a woman walking with buckets and a person leading a horse-drawn cart.

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 Augustines’ Tower

Hackney through the ages C10-C18

Hackney through the ages C18 – C21

Christopher Urswick’s restoration

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 shaped like a gold-colored arrow with a decorative tail, mounted on top of a stone column, pointing in multiple directions against a black background.
A weather vane shaped like a gold-colored arrow with a decorative tail, mounted on top of a stone column, pointing in multiple directions against a black 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.

A tall stone clock tower with a large dark wooden door at the base, surrounded by leafless trees and a grassy area with purple and white flowers.
A tall stone clock tower with a large dark wooden door at the base, surrounded by leafless trees and a grassy area with purple and white flowers.

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.

Hire the Tower

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.

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

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.