Quiet flat London: 3/4 hour from British Library, London main universities

I recently spent three weeks in Peter's flat while I was on a fellowship in London and found it an ideal place for my needs - private, quiet, comfortable and spacious, with easy access to the British Library and UC. The neghbourhood is fascinatingly diverse, but when you walk through the door it is like stepping into a separate world: quiet, light and airy. There are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a lounge/study on the first floor, and a large kitchen/dining room on the second floor that opens onto a roof garden with unobstructed views of skies and the Clapton marshes far below. In fact the flat is situated on a hill above the Lea River where there are long walks and cycling paths and a baker who sells croissants from a houseboat on a Sunday.

The flat was excellent, and just as described--perfect for me, my wife and young daughter. It was only 7 minutes walk from the Overground, and as there were trains every 15 minutes to Liverpool Street Station we we able to get into the centre of London quickly. The suburb incorporated a fascinating social mix. The canal 5 minutes down the hill along with the local parks made for interesting walks or places to jog. A particular plus was the flat's terrace, which provided a wonderful setting for summer meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Peter was always prompt, courteous and flexible in dealing with enquiries.

Truly brilliant flat with a view! I have stayed in many SH over the years and this one was definitely among the best. The flat is just as advertised, has a lovely roof top deck. It is quiet, spotless, has a well-appointed kitchen and is a short walk from the Clapton Overground which connects one easily with Liverpool station. There is a green grocer a few minutes away. All our dealings with Peter were easy and straightforward. (And what an awesome reference collection he has!). I would not hesitate to stay there again.

Our family of four stayed in Peter's London flat for three weeks over Christmas 2013. It was such a gorgeous place to stay . . .quiet, comfortable and cozy. We loved the book lined walls, the plants and eclectic furnishings. We also loved the fact that we could easily walk to grocery stores, play grounds and open natural spaces (Hackney Marshes). Peter was extremely helpful and considerate. He took the time to show us the ins and outs of the flat and explain public transport routes and places of interest. We used an Oyster card to catch a bus into London most days. Peter's gracious apartment was a lovely home away from home in this amazing city.

I stayed in this lovely flat with my partner and our young son for four months in 2011. I can highly recommend it as an excellent place to stay - it's a short walk from the station, where frequent trains go to central London in less than 15 minutes. The flat is spacious and very well decorated; it is on a nice street, close to Springfield Park and the river; and there are a couple of great local pubs a short walk away (the Hope and Anchor, and the Sovereign). The owner of the flat was very pleasant to deal with, and always responded quickly to emails. He left the flat spotlessly clean for us and refunded our deposit promptly. All in all this is a great flat in a nice East London location, and very good value.

I loved staying in this flat--the price was a bargain, the flat is lovely and spacious, and the washer-dryer in the kitchen is incredibly convenient. The owner was friendly, flexible, and easy to deal with. I really enjoyed spending time in the neighborhood and at the corner pub, and taking the 253 bus from Hackney Central to Euston Station for British Library research every day was incredibly convenient.

On the Hackney Apartment---Overall, we had a very pleasant stay. The apartment is lovely, just as described in the ad, gets good light, is fully-equipped, etc. The neighborhood is great---Sainsbury's isn't too far and there's a large park a 2 minute walk away that is nice to run in and also has three tennis courts (play is free of charge). Transportation-wise the location is fine. There's no tube station nearby and the overground runs a bit infrequently for my tastes, but there are tons of buses. We got bus passes and went all around the city that way. It's about 45 minutes to the British Library via bus during rush hour. My only problem with the apartment had to do with noise. The wooden floors of the building let through quite a bit of sound, particularly from the upstairs neighbors. Perhaps the noise level is standard for European apartments, but coming from American cities (Chicago and New York being my primary points of reference), the apartment floors struck me as notably porous regarding noise. Other than the neighbors, however, the apartment is pretty quiet. There's some noise from the street in the living room, but mainly a lulling background buzz that can't be heard in the bedroom or study.

I had a truly lovely time staying in this flat during the autumn of 2008. It is a very pleasant, peaceful and comfortable place. The kitchen appliances worked well, and the shower was strong. The flat has a beautiful garden in the back. There are a lot of pretty books and plants. The flat is in very short walking distance from Hackney Central and Downs stations, as well as Clapton Pond. From those places, there are so many buses one can take, that it is very easy to get anywhere in London! I got accustomed to using the bus system, and I liked it so much better than the tube - the buses are very reliable. Also, the overground is close by. Best of all was the flat's close proximity to the best areas of the East Side: a nice walk takes you to London Fields and the Broadway Market; Columbia Flower Market, Brick Lane and Spitalfields are just a bit further. It is also close to the Ridley Market, and it is across the street from pretty Hackney Downs. Angel/Islington is not far either. What an interesting and diverse neighborhood this flat is in! If you stay in this flat, you must have breakfast at the Mess Cafe across from Hackney Central - it is a true gem. Also, the Turkish restaurant next to Hackney Central is delicious. There is a very close Tesco, Marks&Spencer's and Sainsbury's, so grocery shopping is easy. There is also a great movie theater within walking distance. This flat did not merely provide me with a place to sleep while I was working at the British Library, but it contributed to my very positive experience of living in London.

Lovely flat at a very decent price - it's convenient and well set-up and has everything you need, including a little study looking out over a garden! Plus it's close enough to all the exciting things East London has to offer. I had a wonderful summer there. Dealing with the owner was a pleasure too; he's uncomplicated, friendly and reliable. So I can highly recommend the place!

I've stayed here twice in two summers, and am hoping to stay a third time. The flat is nice, well maintained, and very well furnished, with a garden. It's a short walk from both Hackney Central and Hackney Downs (easy to Stansted Airport and Cambridge), and near the bus routes to the British Library (~40 minutes by bus). The neighborhood is ethnically diverse, in a London sort of way, but I've always enjoyed the positives of that atmosphere - different restaurants, local food shops, etc. A big Sainsbury's is a medium walk away in Dalston with a cinema and a very busy shopping area. The living room can be a bit noisy because of traffic, but the bedroom is very quiet.