A north London district in the London Borough of Hackney, Stoke Newington (sometimes referred to as “Stokey”) neighbours Dalston in the south and has its epicentre in Church Street. With a name that means “new town in the wood”, Stoke Newington has had settlers for hundreds of years, and was often a pit stop for travellers heading north towards Cambridge on what is now the A10.
Boasting a village-like vibe, Stoke Newington has a plethora of bars, pubs and restaurants and, has become one of London's most up-and-coming areas. Good food is a feature with stores such as Whole Foods Market a major draw to locals, while the Stoke Newington Farmers' Market takes place every Saturday at St Paul's Church on the High Street and showcases the produce from either organic or bio-dynamic farmers based within 60 miles of the market offering raw milk, butter, cheeses, yoghurt, cream, breads, veg, fruit, pasta, eggs and meat and more.
And when it comes to eating out, Stoke Newington has a huge choice ranging from a fry up at The Blue Legume to tapas at El Olivio to one of the many Turkish restaurants including Testi, Nar and Café Z Bar.
Stoke Newington provided London with a water supply to assist its speedy growth following the opening of the artificial waterway the New River in 1613 provided for by the River Lea. Its key reservoir West Reservoir is no longer in action, but has become a pleasant place to visit, and is characterised by the Castle Climbing Centre made to look like a Scottish castle. To the south, meanwhile, is Clissold Park, a large green space featuring Clissold Mansion, a Grade II listed building built for local Quaker Jonathan Hoare in the 1790s.
