St. Augustine’s Tower, Hackney

London is full of surprises, and one of those surprises is St. Augustin’s Tower in Hackney.

It is an old church tower which is opened once a month to enjoy the views across the Hackney skyline towards central London. To see the view you climb an increasingly narrow spiral staircase until you reach a small door. A very small door. In fact, a door so small you have to crawl through on your hands and knees.

Having taken in the views, you descend back down the spiral staircase stopping at each of the the three, floors before emerging back on the ground floor.

To read more about the tower and it’s history, read the informative Wikipedia article.

Taken from ground level.

Seen from the balcony

First Floor

There is a well presented and engaging history.

Second Floor

Home to the clock mechanism.

Third Floor

Here is where the tower’s bell is.

Spiral Staircase

The worn stone steps are very narrow.