Lower Clapton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lower Clapton | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference: | TQ355855 |
| Administration | |
| London borough: | Hackney |
| County level: | Greater London |
| Region: | London |
| Constituent country: | England |
| Sovereign state: | United Kingdom |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial county: | Greater London |
| Historic county: | Middlesex |
| Services | |
| Police force: | Metropolitan Police |
| Fire brigade: | London Fire Brigade |
| Ambulance service: | London Ambulance |
| Post office and telephone | |
| Post town: | LONDON |
| Postal district: | E5 |
| Dialling code: | 020 |
| Politics | |
| UK Parliament: | |
| London Assembly: | North East |
| European Parliament: | London |
| London | List of places in London | |
Lower Clapton is a district within the London Borough of Hackney.
It is immediately adjacent to central Hackney - bounded, roughly, by the western side of Hackney Downs (to the West), the Lea Valley (to the East), Clifden Road (to the South) and the Lea Bridge Road (to the North). But it is most sensibly defined as the area roughly centred on Lower Clapton Road, to the north of which is Clapton Ponds, the remnant of the old village green.
Hackney Downs, one of the larger open spaces in Hackney, is formally within this district, though many people consider the Downs to be an area of Hackney in its own right.
Like many other parts of East London, Lower Clapton is socially diverse and vibrantly multicultural. Chatsworth Road provides many amenities for people who live in the area, and in so doing has long been a minor gem of thoroughly useful, unpretentious local charm. The shops and restaurants on Chatsworth Road reflect the diversity of the surrounding streets - offering African, Turkish, Asian and Caribbean produce alongside butchers, bakers and greengrocers.
Lower Clapton enjoys a surprising amount of green space for a district of inner London. Apart from Hackney Downs, Millfields Park and the recreational facilities of the Lea Valley Park are easily accessible from the area.
Large parts of Lower Clapton look much as they did when the area was first developed in the second half of the 19th Century. Most of the housing stock consists of Victorian terraces of various sizes, and as a result the area has become more popular amongst middle-class professionals during the UK housing boom of 2000-2005. Keen observers will now be able to detect the first green shoots of "gentrification".
Famous residents have included John Howard, Helen Shapiro and Jessica Tandy.
