About Stoke Newington
History of the area
Stoke Newington is in the north-west of the London Borough of Hackney and can be roughly defined as the area around Church Street and the N16 postal district. It has a particular ‘village’ character, according to local residents
Meaning ‘new town in the wood’, Stoke Newington is mentioned as a settlement in the Doomsday book of 1086. During the middle ages, the village was frequently used as a pit stop for travellers on their way north, and by the late Victorian era the area was prospering and expanding.
Like all London suburbs, Stoke Newington suffered bomb damage during the Blitz, but has survived to grow into a multicultural area, with the highest number of young families in London.
Famous residents
‘Stokey’ has a number of claims to fame. Inventor of the Omnibus, George Shillibeer built a school here, complete with the world’s first school bus.
Other well-known residents have included writer Edgar Allen Poe, William and Catherine Booth (founders of the Salvation Army), political activist Paul Foot, and Lady Mary Abney, who laid out the non-denominational Abney Park Cemetery.
Things to see and do
Today there is lots to see and do in Stoke Newington.
There are a wide range of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars on Church Street; and at the top of the street you'll find Clissold Park, a beautiful green space containing sports facilities, a children's playground and a rose garden.
Beside the park on Church Street, you'll find Stoke Newington's two parish churches (St Mary’s ‘Old’ and ‘New’).
Please see the links at the top right-hand corner of this page for more information about Stoke Newington's amenities and places of interest.
Please see below for some views of Clissold Park.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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