Lower Clapton

Lower Clapton
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.
OS grid reference	TQ355855
London borough	Hackney
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	E5
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
UK Parliament	Hackney South and Shoreditch
London Assembly	North East

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 Pond and the 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, which had a regular market until the 1990s, still provides many amenities for people who live in the area. 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 2000-2007. Keen observers will now be able to detect the first green shoots of "gentrification".

Notable residents have included John Howard, Nathaniel Woodard who was a curate of St. John's, Harold Pinter, Helen Shapiro and Jessica Tandy. Clapton F.C. were the original local football team, being formed in 1878.

Education

For details of education in Lower Clapton, see List of schools in the London Borough of Hackney.

Transport

Nearby districts

• Hackney Central
• Homerton
• Upper Clapton

External links

• The Round Chapel community centre
• Clapton from British History Online
• Clapton Pond Neighbourhood Action Group