Stoke Newington Church Street, a one-kilometre stretch of road in north London, is lined with independent retailers that make up 90% of its shops, according to a recent visit by a reporter for the Daily Express. The street is book-ended by two of London's largest green spaces: Abney Park Cemetery at its eastern end and Clissold Park to the west.
A Village Feel in the City
The street has a low traffic initiative by the council that bans most cars, contributing to a peaceful, village-like atmosphere, and there is no underground station nearby, which sets it apart from the busier neighbouring areas of Dalston and Finsbury Park.
Abney Park Cemetery, one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' garden cemeteries, opened in 1840 and covers 31 acres. It was the first entirely non-denominational garden cemetery in the UK, with a large chapel at its centre. The reporter noted that on a recent afternoon the paths were already busy with young mothers and dog walkers.
Independent Shops and Community
Among the shops highlighted is PREP Cookshop, which opened in 2015 and sells homewares, baking and cooking equipment, and ceramics from local artists. A staff member named Christiana, who has worked there for over a year and lived in Stoke Newington for 12 years, said her favourite thing about the area was the community. She said: "It's all familiar faces - like a village for everyone. There's a good amount of hustle and bustle, but it's still cosy and cute and people remember you." When asked if she would ever leave, she laughed and said, "Only against my will!"
The Auld Shillelagh, a classic Irish tavern, is renowned for having the best pour of Guinness in London, according to the report. Retro Hub, tucked away off the main road, offers vintage furniture, including midcentury dressers and a vintage Street Fighter arcade machine. Search and Rescue, a lifestyle boutique stocking curated vintage furniture, fragrances, ceramics, stationery, and jewellery, has been a mainstay on the street for more than a decade, according to its manager Lauren. She said: "All of the independent [shops] all have quite a nice community. We all help each other out, and there's lots of events held. We're all looking forward to whatever new things are going to open in the future."
Bakeries and Green Spaces
Spence Bakery, an independent bakery that has been a pillar of the community since 2002, is another mainstay. A staff member named Ellen said the best sellers are the seasonal items, but lemon drizzle is always popular, and for pastries, it's the pain au chocolat. She said her favourite shop along the street was Search and Rescue, and added: "I just love all the independent shops."
Clissold Park, which stretches for 54 acres, features bridges over a man-made aqueduct and a herd of fallow deer in an enclosure. The reporter noted that in autumn the park's paths are lined with trees turning gold.
A Hidden Pub Garden
Close to the park is The Mary Wollstonecraft, an independent freehouse that took over from Ryan's Bar in July 2026. The pub has 10 cask hand pumps and 12 rotating keg lines focused on smaller British and classic German breweries. Its interior celebrates female writers, with tiles depicting figures from Sappho to Sally Rooney. The pub has a large, covered and heated beer garden at the back, which the reporter described as a quiet oasis off the high street.
