What is it?
When the sun peeps out in Stoke Newington, you won’t catch locals diving into their hatchbacks and racing to the coast. Stroll down Church Street towards Green Lanes and you’ll see them sprawled in the 54-acre Clissold Park, Stokey’s largest green space. Clear-cut paths lead to Clissold’s seven gates, while cyclists and joggers can also use the bark-strewn track that circles its perimeters. Sporty locals can make use of tennis courts, table tennis tables, a skate part and a multi-use cage with basketball hoops and goals. The kids playground features a zip wire, sand pit, metal slide and wooden shipwreck climbing frame, while a splash pad offers a variety of water play features ideal for hot summer days. For light refreshments, head to Clissold House’s café, which serves fairly priced nibbles, or grab a coffee to go from Fink’s Pump House.
Why go?
For everything you could possibly want or need from a local park.
Don’t miss
The park’s animal enclosure, which houses adorable deer and goats, alongside a butterfly dome and an aviary.
When to visit
Throughout the year, Clissold Park opens by 7.30am at the latest. Closing times vary depending on the time of year. They’re as follows:
January 1 to January 19 – 5pm
January 20 to February 2 – 5.30pm
February 3 to February 23 – 6pm
February 24 to March 9 – 6.30pm
March 10 to March 23 – 7pm
March 24 to April 6 – 8pm
April 7 to April 20 – 8.30pm
April 21 to May 4– 9pm
May 5 to August 10 – 9.30pm
August 11 to August 24 – 9pm
August 25 tocSeptember 7 – 8.30pm
September 8 to September 21 – 8pm
September 22 to October 5 – 7.30pm
October 6 to October 19 – 7pm
October 20 to October 26– 6.30pm
October 27 to December 31– 5pm
Ticket info
Clissold Park is completley free to visit and explore.
Time Out tip
Make sure to check the noticeboard next to Clissold House for information on upcoming events. The park hosts all sorts, from a funfair in late spring, to live music, comedy, and a thrice-annual ‘feastival’ featuring dozens of street food and produce stalls, outdoor bars and free entertainment.