Stoke Newington — or “Stokey”, as the locals call it — in northeast London was once the affordable alternative to Islington. The area is no longer cheap, but it has retained its alternative, arty image, without compromising house values. There are few chain stores or restaurants here, although there is an outlet of Nando’s, the chicken restaurant chain. Stokey’s residents consider Islington’s Upper Street to be “so commercialised now”.

Stoke Newington became popular in the mid-1980s when buyers, mostly first-timers or young families, braved the neighbourhood’s reputation for crime in return for pretty Victorian terraces and green spaces. Today most of the crime has moved eastwards, deeper into Hackney (except for a fatal drive-by shooting on Church Street in 2007).

So where is it exactly?

Officially, it’s in Hackney, but the streets around Church Street (pictured) feel different from the rest of the borough. The area is split down the middle by Stoke Newington High Street — on the west are the most popular houses, while the streets on the east, where late-night fried chicken shops replace posh cafés, are a bit grittier.

And the houses?

Mostly lovely Victorian stock on pretty tree-lined streets. Lots of properties have original features such as old adverts painted on the outside brick walls. Houses on the east of the high street are a bit cheaper, hence their popularity with first-time buyers. Onebedroom flats with a garden on Evering Road or Brooke Road start at £220,000.

By contrast, a one-bedroom garden flat on Carysfort Road, just off Church Street, sold for £320,000 recently. On the west, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Clissold Road and Oldfield Road are all popular — a fourbedroom house will cost you £700,000. Flat conversions are much less common on this side of the high street.

Isn’t it off the Tube?

Yes, but locals consider this a plus, keeping it from being overdeveloped and encouraging a “village” feel. Angel Tube station is 20 minutes away by bus, and there are frequent buses to Dalston and Liverpool Street. The overland train from Stoke Newington railway station takes 15 minutes to Liverpool Street. The A10 (Stoke Newington High Street) leads to the North Circular.

What are the good schools?

Grasmere and William Patten are both good primaries. Stoke Newington Secondary on Clissold Road is one of Hackney’s best. Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper, new Labour’s power couple, were accused of exploiting their second home status when they moved here in 2007, reportedly for the schools.

Anywhere to eat out?

A variety of cuisines is available on and around Church Street, including Yumyum, an excellent Thai, and the award-winning Rasa, a Keralan restaurant recommended by Jamie Oliver (there are two Rasas on Church Street; one is vegetarian).

Le Blue Legume is a brunch favourite, although you might struggle to get a seat on Sunday mornings. The Spence Bakery serves tasty pastries, but they aren’t cheap. Organic food lovers should try Fresh and Wild or the Saturday farmer’s market.

What if you’re young, free and single?

Busy pubs include the Red Lion, the Crown, the Londesborough and the White Horse, which has a huge beer garden and a pool table. The old Vortex Jazz Bar, which used to be on Church Street, has moved ten minutes down the road to Dalston, which has an edgier vibe. The über-cool Shoreditch bars and the range of late-night venues at Angel are both near by. The Fox Reformed Wine Bar, which sits on the site of the old Manor school, where Edgar Allan Poe was a pupil, entertains an older crowd.

Sounds a bit divided . . .

Not really. Families, twentysomethings and young couples mill around Church Street and congregate on sunny days in Clissold Park, which has 53 acres of lawns, lakes, tennis courts and a deer enclosure.

Francesca Steele

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