Shortlist

It’s not unusual to find a tourist tax in some of Europe's buzzy cities - Barcelona, Amsterdam, Lisbon - even in the UK you’ll find them in the likes of Edinburgh, Manchester, and Liverpool. Now, it might be heading to London.

The tourist tax has been considered before by London Mayor Sadiq Khan back in 2024, as well as the Northwest borough of Brent. Now, it’s up for consideration again, but probably not in the area you’d expect.

Whether you’re a Doc Martins wearing, vintage-garms-only, ex-media student inhabitant of Hackney, or stuck in the more affordable boroughs of Streatham, or Tottenham, you’ll still probably have visited Hackney Wick for a day out.

Full to the brim of independent bars, pubs, and clubs, all along the picturesque River Lee, Hackney Wick is a favourite for a sunny London afternoon. One of its best spots? Crate, a micro-brewery and pizza joint based in an old factory right next to the river. You know it’s a good’un when it’s top of Time Out’s best bars list…