From Freya Najade’s personal series Hackney Marshes.

When reaching the shores of Hackney Marshes, the noise and hustle of one of London’s ‘trendiest’ neighbourhoods ends abruptly, giving way to swathes of green; sprawling, sea-like fields nestled amid the concrete landscapes of the capital.

Falcons, parakeets, kingfishers and other wildlife inhabit these enclaves of greenery. And so too do humans: their presence marked by rubbish peppering the fields, floating down the Lea; a river so polluted, signs warn people from swimming in it.

It was this juxtaposition that compelled Freya: despite the neglect and damage, on the marshes nature’s beauty always seems to shine through.

These photographs are an ode to this little part of the world and to Freya’s favourite part of the city. She follows the River Lea up and down, criss-crossing the meadows and riverbanks, abandoned infrastructure and football pitches. She seeks refuge in its greenery, finding unexpected beauty and surprising encounters with strangers.