A short walk from the house, Newington Green and Stoke Newington offers a rare balance of village charm and urban edge. With its strong sense of community, independent food culture, and a quietly creative undercurrent, the neighbourhood offers a slower, more considered way to live – connected yet self-contained, and rich in everyday detail.

At its heart is Jolene, the beloved all-day bakery and café where sourdough loaves, seasonal salads and fresh pasta are made daily using heritage grains and minimal intervention.

Just across the green, Perilla brings fine dining down to earth. With a weekly changing menu built around modern European techniques and seasonal British ingredients, it offers an unpretentious yet elevated neighbourhood dining experience – one rooted in clarity, generosity, and a deep respect for produce. For slower mornings, The Good Egg, inspired by Tel Aviv’s cafés, serves shakshuka, house-made challah and fresh juices in a space that blends warmth with thoughtful design.

Wander north and Stoke Newington Church Street opens up with its mix of long-established independents and newer arrivals. Cafés like Clissold Park Tavern, The Green Room, and Esters (a few minutes west in Stamford Hill) offer high-quality coffee in relaxed, light-filled settings, while Whole Foods, Harvest, and a range of local delis cater to a slower, more intentional way of living. Clissold Park, with its ornamental lakes, tennis courts and sweeping lawns, remains one of the neighbourhood’s greatest assets – a place for running, reading or simply being still.

Transport links are reliable but unobtrusive. Canonbury Overground is within easy reach, offering direct connections to Highbury & Islington, Dalston, and Stratford, while nearby buses provide swift access to Angel, Old Street and the City. For those on two wheels, dedicated cycle lanes lead through Islington and Hackney, with Regent’s Canal and London Fields both comfortably within reach.