Hoxton Square

Hoxton Square is a public garden square in Hoxton, in the London Borough of Hackney, in the area also known as Shoreditch. It was laid out in 1683, which makes it one of the oldest squares of its kind in London. Today it is best known as a focal point of the arts and media scene in East London.

What is this place?

The square was created as the central garden of a new housing development built on former fields. The land was leased from the Austen family. Today a public garden sits in the middle, surrounded by buildings that are quite tall for the Victorian era. Their uses vary widely: in many of them the upper floors have been converted into bars, restaurants and offices, and at least one is a well-known live music club.

What is its history?

In the 19th century the square and the surrounding streets were a centre of the furniture and carpentry trade for which Shoreditch was known. During the Second World War the area was heavily bombed, leaving many plots empty or undeveloped. From the late 1980s artists began moving in. One of the pioneers who settled on the square in 1988 was the artist Paul Daly. Since the 1990s Hoxton Square has been at the heart of the Hoxton national arts and media hub, which includes design and digital art.

What can you do here?

The square makes a good stop on a walk through East London. You can sit in the garden, look at the varied architecture around it and visit one of the venues. The square has also hosted musicians, actors and dancers, with a programme that can be very eclectic. Check current events before you go, as what is on changes with the season and the venue.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hoxton Square? In Hoxton, in the London Borough of Hackney. The coordinates are roughly 51.5277 N, 0.0813 W.

Is it really one of the oldest squares in London? Yes, it was laid out in 1683 and is thought to be one of the oldest in the capital. Some sources give later dates for the start of building, as late as 1709.

What is the square known for? Since the 1990s it has been linked with the Hoxton arts and media community, and with nightlife and entertainment: bars, restaurants and a live music club.

Is there an entry fee? It is a public garden in an urban square, so entering needs no ticket. Venues around it naturally charge for their own services.

What happened here in the past? Furniture and carpentry trades in the 19th century, wartime damage in the 20th, and then an influx of artists from the late 1980s.