Another “Off the tourist trail in London” episode this week. This time in Mlle’s local stomping ground round Stoke Newington (she lives just the other side of the main street in adjoining Clapton).
We actually lived on the edge of Clissold Park in north west Stoke Newington in the 1980s for a while and it was amazing to see how the area has evolved. Church Street was rather run down and faded back in those days – now it is a vibrant neighbourhood with trendy shops offering clothing, arts and crafts, food outlets selling groceries, provisions, fruits and vegetables plus plenty of cafes and watering holes. There are a couple of churches, both apparently called St Mary’s, which give the main thoroughfare its name.
It was a glorious warm May day perfect for wandering through the 55 acres of green open space that make up Clissold Park. You get a feel of the country area this would have been a couple of hundred years or so ago before the villages got swallowed up by the metropolis.
Near Clissold Park, we found our old flat in Queen Elizabeth’s Walk. It appeared totally unchanged in the 30 years or so since we last lived there (our flat was on the 1st floor). I think some renovations might be in order but it still retains its charm in an area increasingly taken over by some rather drab apartment blocks.
On our last morning in London, Mlle took us to one of her favourite breakfast and lunch spots, the Green Room in Church Street.
With a lovely outdoor courtyard at the back, it is both a cafe and a nursery. If I lived locally I would certainly be buying some of the pretty seedlings, gorgeous flowers and colourful pots that were available in the nursery section. The Green Room was the perfect spot for brunch before alas we had to head out to Heathrow Airport for the long flight back home “Down Under”.
Our Airbnb apartment overlooking the Regent’s Canal had been an ideal base for our few days stay in the capital. We really enjoy getting to know less well-known parts of the places we visit and it always helps to have a local guide – thanks Mlle! (see here and here for the other posts in this series).
Copyright © 2020 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose. All rights reserved
Le Chic En Rose 
It’s always interesting to look round areas you once knew well and see what has changed. Seems you had a fabulous day for this stroll.
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The weather was gorgeous that day – actually felt quite warm (it was 2nd week of May). It did seem strange revisiting this part of London especially as Mlle now lives so close by!
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London has so many great green spaces that are perfect for a good walk. It is nice to hear about some off the beaten track places to visit there. You really lucked out with the weather.
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Thanks so much Gilda – we had a lovely visit there and yes it certainly felt like spring 🙂 Sorry for my late reply – will just head over to catch up on your South East Asian travels now 🙂
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It’s amazing how far ‘the city’ stretches nowadays, isn’t it, and all pretty little spaces with their own life? Another nice trip down memory lane. Many thanks for sharing, hon 🙂 🙂
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Thanks so much Jo! Sorry for my very late response – not sure where last week went!! Dear me we are nearly in March! Yes London is vast but these little “villages” within the Metropolis are very attractive with their own ambiance and characters. Thanks for including my walk in your walks last week again too! 🙂 🙂
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