Description
Clapton Pond today consists of two small enclosures divided by Newick Road, the south side laid out with a bridged pond purportedly dug in the C17th. The pond, once the heart of the village of Clapton, was used as a reservoir for water supplied to the village in the early C18th and then between 1760-1833, the water brought via pipes from the River Lee. In 1898 Hackney District Board acquired Clapton Pond for public gardens. They were re-landscaped in 1977-79 retaining the bridge and most of the trees including a number of semi-mature Willows, the gardens particularly replanted with shrubs.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Lower Clapton Gardens |
|---|---|
| Site location | Lower Clapton Road/Newick Road |
| Postcode | E5 0QA |
| What3Words | ///herds.chill.shorts |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Hackney |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.30am - dusk (summer 9.30pm, winter 4pm). |
| Events | Has participated in OGSW |
| Public Transport | Rail: Clapton. Bus: 38, 48, 55, 106, 253, 254, S2. |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2008 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Clapton Pond today consists of two small garden enclosures divided by Newick Road, the south side laid out with a bridged pond purportedly dug in the C17th. The pond was the heart of the village of Clapton, the name meaning the 'Farm on the Hill' in Anglo Saxon. From c.1707/9 the pond became a reservoir to supply the locality with water, which was brought up via pipes or wooden conduits from a weir at Jeremy's Ferry, north of Lee Bridge on the River Lee. These waterworks had been set up under the auspices of the lord of the manor, Francis Tyssen II, but fell into disrepair after the death of Tyssen's son in 1717. Although the water system was then taken over by John Ward, a speculator with plans to expand it, these did not come to fruition since in 1724 he was convicted of forgery. The pond was later restored as a reservoir in 1760 and it continued to supply water to the area until 1833, when a new canal was cut to take water to Old Ford and Hackney's supply was re-routed, making Clapton Pond redundant as a reservoir. Hackney District Board later acquired Clapton Pond in 1898 as a public garden. The gardens were re-landscaped in 1977-79 by Hackney Council, retaining the bridge, most of the trees which included a number of semi-mature Willows, and replanting particularly with shrubs. The Clapton Pond Neighbourhood Action Group was set up to conserve and improve the gardens.
Pond House built in c.1800 overlooks the garden, and nearby are the Bishop Wood's Almshouses, built in 1665 under the provisions of the will of Thomas Wood, the Bishop of Lichfield who came from Hackney. The almshouses provided for 10 widows of over 60 years old and Wood's will also provided the expenses for a twice-weekly chaplain. The chapel seating 10 people is reputedly Britain's smallest chapel. The six one-storey almshouses were restored in 1888 and again in 1930; they were requisitioned during war-time and re-opened in 1948.
In 2004 funds were successfully raised by the Clapton Pond User Group, which had formed in 2002, to implement modern improvements to this historic space. As a result of the restoration project, Clapton Pond has become a vibrant and well used community park.
Pond House built in c.1800 overlooks the garden, and nearby are the Bishop Wood's Almshouses, built in 1665 under the provisions of the will of Thomas Wood, the Bishop of Lichfield who came from Hackney. The almshouses provided for 10 widows of over 60 years old and Wood's will also provided the expenses for a twice-weekly chaplain. The chapel seating 10 people is reputedly Britain's smallest chapel. The six one-storey almshouses were restored in 1888 and again in 1930; they were requisitioned during war-time and re-opened in 1948.
In 2004 funds were successfully raised by the Clapton Pond User Group, which had formed in 2002, to implement modern improvements to this historic space. As a result of the restoration project, Clapton Pond has become a vibrant and well used community park.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ349859 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Hackney |
| Site Management | Hackney Parks Service; Clapton Pond User Group |
| Dates | 1660s onwards; C19th; 1977-79 |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: Pond House (162 Lower Clapton Road). LBII: left forecourt walls and stable building to north of Pond House; Bishop Wood's Almshouses, Nos. 158 & 160 Lower Clapton Road |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Hackney |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Clapton Pond |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Open Space; Green Link |
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
Hackney Downs is former Lammas land, which was surrounded by fields until the mid C19th. Horse-racing was recorded in 1733, and cricket, football and rugby were known to have been played here. As housing development began to threaten the area's common land, the MBW acquired the Downs and other Hackney Commons by Act of Parliament in 1872 to preserve it as public open space. Hackney Downs opened as a public park in 1884, laid out with paths and surrounded by notable plane, lime and ash trees. Various facilities were provided over the years, including women's toilets in 1908, Hackney Downs Lodge in 1959, an extension to the bowling green in 1960 as well as the playground and sports courts.
Clapton Square was laid out gradually on Clapton Field from 1811-18 with the central garden remaining as 'grass land' enclosed by iron railings until the late C19th. On an axis with the adjacent church of St John-at-Hackney, the garden was regarded as an extension of the churchyard. It became neglected as a residents' garden and was acquired by the LCC who vested it in Hackney Borough Council in 1924 as a public square. Most of the original houses were destroyed between 1943-47. A restoration programme for the garden began in the 1990s and it retains early C19th cast iron railings and a historic drinking fountain.
Millfields Park is former Lammas land in the Manor of Hackney, the name arising from a C14th corn mill on the river Lee/Lea in use until the late C18th. A second mill was built in 1443 at which time the names North Mill Field and South Mill Field came into use. They comprised strips held by tenants of the Manor until at least the mid C18th. The Millfields were saved from development following a petition to preserve 180 acres of common land in Hackney for public use. Millfields Recreation Grounds were laid out and opened in 1884, the LCC having acquired 23.25 acres of Mill Field North and 34.25 acres of Mill Field South. There was a sports stadium in the park from 1894-1913, but this was demolished in 1980 when Millfields Estate was built.