Lower Clapton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lower Clapton


OS grid reference	TQ355855
London borough	Hackney
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	E5
Dial code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
London Assembly	North East
European Parliament	London
List of places: UK • England • London

Lower Clapton's unusual Round Chapel. Built in 1869-71 as a Congregational Church, it is now an arts centre. It is considered to be one of the finest non-conformist buildings in London. (February 2006)

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.

Clapton Ponds and the stunning late Georgian Clapton Square are the area's two major conservation zones.

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.

Clapton Pond - the old village green. (September 2005)

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.