- Women only
- Friendship, not dating
- Free to join
- Local guide
- October 20, 2026
Make Friends in Stoke Newington, between Clissold Park and Abney Park
Stoke Newington skews young, with 41% of residents aged 25 to 44, and a farmers’ market fills St Paul’s Church every Saturday.
25,900+
people in the Stoke Newington and Clissold wards, Hackney (Census 2021)
41%
of Stoke Newington’s residents fall between 25 and 44 years old, compared with 34% in London (Census 2021)
15%
of Stoke Newington households are cohabiting partners, against 10% for London (ONS 2021)
Stoke Newington Saturdays at St Paul’s
The Saturday farmers’ market at St Paul’s Church, 10am to 2:30pm, is an easy weekly way to make friends in Stoke Newington. Clissold Park has fallow deer, an aviary and two lakes, and the Abney Park Trust leads a history walk on the opening Sunday of every month. Gofrendly can help you find Stoke Newington neighbours who might come too.
Stoke Newington, in short
What day is the farmers’ market in Stoke Newington?
The Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market, run by Growing Communities, sets up at St Paul’s Church, N16 7UE, each Saturday between 10am and 2:30pm. It makes a natural weekly meeting point for anyone living in Stoke Newington, and Growing Communities posts the stall list online.
Is Stoke Newington Library open?
No. Stoke Newington Library on Church Street has been closed since 30 March 2024 for roof and exterior repairs. Hackney Council says the work will continue beyond spring 2026 and will share a timeline once the design is complete, so check before visiting from Stoke Newington.
What is Abney Park in Stoke Newington?
Abney Park opened as a cemetery in 1840 and is one of London’s Magnificent Seven, now a local nature reserve in Stoke Newington. Its restoration finished in 2024, reopening the chapel and adding a café at the main entrance, and Abney Park Trust leads a history tour every month.
Where do Stoke Newington women go to make new friends?
Gofrendly is a women-only friendship app listing Stoke Newington women living around Church Street and the High Street, and you are welcome to send the first hello. Browsing the farmers’ market together on Saturday, or spotting the deer in Clissold Park, makes a comfortable first plan.
Stoke Newington, young households and green spaces
Stoke Newington is a neighbourhood of young adults: 41% of people here are aged 25 to 44, and couples living together unmarried are half as common again as across London. Almost a third of households live alone, and homes are split between owners, social tenants and private renters. People here move in and out often, which means plenty of others are also looking for friends nearby, and a regular weekend plan usually does the trick.
A lively high street does not stop an empty diary from feeling lonely. Clissold Park, open since 1889, Abney Park, one of London’s Magnificent Seven cemeteries, and Stoke Newington Common were each given a 2026 Green Flag award. Abney Park’s restored chapel and new café opened in 2024. Stoke Newington Library has been closed for building work since March 2024, so the parks do much of the work. Clissold Leisure Centre, beside the park, has pools, studios, squash and a café. Places to start:
1
The farmers’ market at St Paul’s Church.
2
The deer, lakes and aviary in Clissold Park.
3
The monthly Abney Park history tour.
4
Clissold Leisure Centre on Clissold Road.
5
Finsbury parkrun on Saturday mornings.
LOCAL TIP
Join an Abney Park drawing walk and you will leave with a sketch and at least one new name.
How to
Stoke Newington habits that lead to friendship
1
Shop at the Saturday farmers’ market at St Paul’s Church and stay for a coffee.
2
Book the Abney Park history tour, held on the first Sunday each month.
3
Run or volunteer at Finsbury parkrun, under two kilometres from Church Street.
4
Meet a Stoke Newington woman from Gofrendly to see the deer in Clissold Park.
More stories to explore
The writers behind this N16 guide
Claudia Gård and Ulrika Lilja started Gofrendly; together with our editors they wrote this Stoke Newington page, picturing women settled in N16 who want a few friends to share it with.
Friendship looks different at every stage
More guides for women in this area – each with its own local advice.
Friendship looks different at every stage
More guides for women in this area – each with its own local advice.
Find women near you
See who’s nearby and say hi — it’s free to start.