Description
Clapton Common is a small fragment of the former Broad Common; the south side, overlooked by the early C19th Clapton Terrace, forms an extension to the Common. Maps of 1745 show a number of hamlets in the area and in the C18th/C19th smart villas were built in Upper Clapton for City bankers and merchants, development accelerating after arrival of the railway. Clapton Common was preserved as public open space in 1872 as a result of a successful public petition that led to 180 acres in Hackney being protected from encroachment. It retains its large pond but public amenities, such as a Keeper's Box and drinking fountain, no longer exist, and the small mock-Tudor pavilion provided as public toilets became derelict.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Broad Common |
|---|---|
| Site location | Clapton Common, Upper Clapton |
| Postcode | E5 9AA |
| What3Words | ///sketch.stocks.nails |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Hackney |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Clapton Common Play Area |
| Public Transport | Rail: Stamford Hill. Bus: 253 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Clapton Common is a small fragment of the former Broad Common, situated on high ground; the south side, overlooked by the early C19th dwellings of Clapton Terrace, forms an extension to the Common. The name Clapton possibly came from a Saxon farm, Clop meaning lump or hill, Ton meaning farm. There are records for Stamford Hill dating from the C13th when the area was called Sanford Hill - the Hill by the Sandy Ford; a mediaeval Pilgrim route ran through Clapton to Waltham Abbey. In 1745 maps show hamlets in the area and in the C18th and C19th smart villas were built in Upper Clapton for City bankers and merchants; the railway arrived here in 1872 after which development accelerated. Plots of land in front of Nos. 37-67 Clapton Common were originally owned and maintained by the freeholders or lessees, and those for Nos. 56-94 were owned by Colonel G C B Paynter, both areas having private roadways with narrow grassed enclosures in front creating a common frontage.
From 1898 the London County Council had responsibility for maintenance of Clapton Common, which had been preserved in 1872 as public open space as a result of a successful public petition that led to 180 acres in Hackney being protected from the encroachment of development, and acquired under the Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act 1872, the land transferred to the Metropolitan Board of Works. The rights were eventually purchased from the Lord of the Manor in 1881, later extinguished by a Special Act of Parliament 1884. Public amenities provided on the Common included a Keeper's Box and drinking fountain, neither of which remain, and in the C20th a small mock Tudor pavilion dating was built to provide a public toilet, later derelict. Mature trees form the perimeter, with grass areas between, and the path layout is not substantially changed since the 1870s. The pond was, according to J J Sexby 'much in demand for skating in the winter' and was used for yachting in the early C20th. In the latter part of the C20th the pond was railed while improvements were instigated, including clearing of rampant duck weed. It is overlooked by fine willow trees. The pond inadvertently contributed to the downfall of the Rector of the nearby Agapemonite Church of the Good Shepherd (q.v.) who in 1902 was discredited for failing to turn the pond water into wine, having announced himself as the Messiah. The spire of the church is a landmark visible from Clapton Common.
Clapton Common User Group was set up to conserve the common; the pond and fountain have been recently renovated and other improvements to the park include a new play area, which opened in 2011 and has a fenced area for under-5s and a tree and rope play structure for older children. Other plans include a new café. In October 2010 a project organised by the Sonshine Club of Stamford Hill resulted in 3,000 crocus bulbs planted on the Common. Gardening projects are among the activities organised by the Club, which aims to promote healthy living to young people of the Orthodox Jewish community in the area.
From 1898 the London County Council had responsibility for maintenance of Clapton Common, which had been preserved in 1872 as public open space as a result of a successful public petition that led to 180 acres in Hackney being protected from the encroachment of development, and acquired under the Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act 1872, the land transferred to the Metropolitan Board of Works. The rights were eventually purchased from the Lord of the Manor in 1881, later extinguished by a Special Act of Parliament 1884. Public amenities provided on the Common included a Keeper's Box and drinking fountain, neither of which remain, and in the C20th a small mock Tudor pavilion dating was built to provide a public toilet, later derelict. Mature trees form the perimeter, with grass areas between, and the path layout is not substantially changed since the 1870s. The pond was, according to J J Sexby 'much in demand for skating in the winter' and was used for yachting in the early C20th. In the latter part of the C20th the pond was railed while improvements were instigated, including clearing of rampant duck weed. It is overlooked by fine willow trees. The pond inadvertently contributed to the downfall of the Rector of the nearby Agapemonite Church of the Good Shepherd (q.v.) who in 1902 was discredited for failing to turn the pond water into wine, having announced himself as the Messiah. The spire of the church is a landmark visible from Clapton Common.
Clapton Common User Group was set up to conserve the common; the pond and fountain have been recently renovated and other improvements to the park include a new play area, which opened in 2011 and has a fenced area for under-5s and a tree and rope play structure for older children. Other plans include a new café. In October 2010 a project organised by the Sonshine Club of Stamford Hill resulted in 3,000 crocus bulbs planted on the Common. Gardening projects are among the activities organised by the Club, which aims to promote healthy living to young people of the Orthodox Jewish community in the area.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ343876 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 3 |
| Site Ownership | LB Hackney |
| Site Management | Hackney Parks Service; Clapton Common User Group |
| Listed Structures | LBII: 98 Clapton Common; 2 K2 telephone kiosks outside nos. 149 and 162 Clapton Common |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL3) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | Yes (part) |
| Local Authority | Hackney |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Clapton Common |
| Tree Preservation Order | To be checked |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes (Clapton Common Pond) |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Open Space; London Square (part: areas in front of nos.37-67 and 56-94) |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
The Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd was originally built as the 'Ark of the Covenant' for the Agapemonite (Abode of Love) sect, which had been founded in Somerset by Henry James Prince. Prince came to Clapton with his congregation when he built the church here in 1892. It was closed in the 1920s but later acquired in 1956 by the Ancient Catholic Church. The church has a garden to the front with lawn, flower beds and shrubberies either side of the path leading from the fine wrought iron gates to the church door.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Springfield Park was created on a hilly site that until the C18th was part meadows and part used for commercial purposes. By mid/late C19th three houses and their grounds were here: The Chestnuts, Springfield House and Spring House. Pulham & Co are known to have undertaken some work for C Jacomb at Springfield Park in 1871. In 1904/5 all 3 houses were purchased by the LCC and a new public park laid out, retaining much of the C19th landscaping. Springfield House, known as White Lodge, remains as do C19th stables, but other buildings were demolished. The park was laid out with numerous paths, areas of woodland, shrubberies, open lawn and grassland, a bandstand and bowling green. Tennis courts were added in the 1930s. There is a fine collection of mature trees. The eastern edge abuts a path along the River Lea, beyond which are Walthamstow Marshes.
Springfield Park was created on a hilly site that until the C18th was part meadows and part used for commercial purposes. By mid/late C19th three houses and their grounds were here: The Chestnuts, Springfield House and Spring House. Pulham & Co are known to have undertaken some work for C Jacomb at Springfield Park in 1871. In 1904/5 all 3 houses were purchased by the LCC and a new public park laid out, retaining much of the C19th landscaping. Springfield House, known as White Lodge, remains as do C19th stables, but other buildings were demolished. The park was laid out with numerous paths, areas of woodland, shrubberies, open lawn and grassland, a bandstand and bowling green. Tennis courts were added in the 1930s. There is a fine collection of mature trees. The eastern edge abuts a path along the River Lea, beyond which are Walthamstow Marshes.
Stamford Hill Strips are four roadside grassed areas, with a few trees, which were handed over free of cost to the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1883 as public open space. Later owned and maintained by Hackney Borough Council, they are protected under the London Squares Preservation Act of 1931.