London Guide: Crouch End. If you fancy exploring a villagey neighbourhood one weekend you should add this North London location on your list. It’s brimming with independent shops and eateries and is close to gorgeous green spaces. I’ll give you the heads up about things to do in Crouch End, places to eat in N8 and the best North London shops to browse. The area has a thriving creative scene and is home to numerous talented musicians, singers, artists writers and actors. It’s also been featured in films such as Shaun of the Dead. So, what are you waiting for? Join me on a tour of Crouch End.
Admire the Thomas Huxley-Jones Sculpture at the Hornsey Central Library
Crouch End Places of Interest
Monuments: The Clock Tower (feature main picture) is situated in the middle of the main shopping hotspot. This red-brick clock tower, erected in 1895, was built as a memorial to Henry Reader Williams (Chairman of the Hornsey Local Board for ten years).
Make Sweet Music at the Church Studios
Architecture: The Hornsey Town Hall is worth admiring. This 1930s building is by New Zealand born architect, Reginald Uren and is currently being used as an Arts Project. Around the corner, you’ll find the Hornsey Library which is a Grade II listed building. Here you can see permanent artwork which includes the engraved Hornsey Window by Fred Mitchell. The fountain outside has a sculpture of a bronze lady by TB Huxley Jones. The Church Studios (inside a church hence the name) is where the Eurhythmics recorded Sweet Dreams in 1984. It is a state of the art music facility now owned by Paul Epworth. The church exterior is stunning and deserves a closer inspection.
Celebrate Creativity at the Hornsey Town Hall Art Project
Entertainment: The Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre has concerts, dance and even silent discos. The library showcases art in the Original Gallery and hosts book readings. For cinema and theatre try the Arthouse situated in a former Salvation Army Hall. With various arts-related activities ranging from community festivals to author readings, it’s a hive of creativity.
Catch a Movie or Play at the Arthouse
Green Spaces: On Crouch Hill, you can access the Parkland Walk Nature Reserve which is a pathway along a disused railway track connecting Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace. Priory Park has a café, tennis courts and playground. Nearby you will also find playing fields. A little further and you reach Alexandra Palace Park which hosts a Farmers Market on Sundays from 10 am until 3 pm. The park has many amenities including a boating lake, cafes, ice skating rink and garden centre.
Enjoy the Parkland Nature Reserve
Crouch End Shops
Interiors Shops: My favourite interiors shops are Floral Hall Antiques selling antique and vintage furniture. Little Paris for vintage French furniture and contemporary lifestyle goods. For classic fifties, sixties and seventies furniture, lighting and collectables check out Solomon Retro. You can have a good rummage at Junk N8 Disorderly for second-hand furniture.
Browse Beautiful Furniture at Floral Hall Antiques
Home Accessories, Gifts and More: Browse Indish for Scandinavian and British homeware. Discover emerging and renowned designers at Cassius & Coco along with one of a kind objects. For adorable gifts and greeting cards try Treehouse. Baking enthusiasts and budding chefs will love the Season Cookshop. Aside from these, you will also find several picture framing businesses, a tile outlet, designer kitchens plus carpet and curtain shops. Music lovers can get into the grove at FlashBack by flicking through the racks of vinyl, CDs and DVDs.
Step Back in Time at the FlashBack Music Shop
Fashion Shops: The women’s clothing boutiques stock mainly floaty linen tops and flowing dresses like Broadway, The Factory Outlet and In Theory. Oliver Bonas is a lifestyle shop which also sells women’s clothing plus fashion accessories and gifts. Then you have Murray and Tailor at the Tannery for men’s clothing.
Treat the Little Ones at the Niddle Noodle Kids Boutique
Kids Shops: This is a family orientated area so you will find a few stores aimed at the little ones. Middle Noodle selling unique and exclusive fashion, books, toys and gifts for boys and girls. For fun and colourful clothing try Soup Dragon. Pick up books from Pickled Pepper Books and explore Rubadubdub for toys.
Crouch End Restaurants
Restaurants: For Spanish tapas head to Bar Esteban, for Italian and French cuisine try Melange, Aix Bistro is the place for French fine dining. For something different try Irvin for Scottish Italian. Asian cuisine options include Thai O Cafe, Khoai Vietnamese Café and Saki sushi. Fish lovers can try Cannons for fish and chips or Matthew’s Kitchen for seafood.
Enjoy a Healthy Salads at Sable d’Or
Cafes: There are plenty of cafes to choose from. I like Hot Pepper Jelly for breakfast. Sable d’Or has very good salads and yummy cakes. You can get your caffeine fix at Coffee Circus.
Bakeries: Pick up your fresh loaf or cream cake treat from one of the bakeries. Dunns for traditional options, try Percy Ingles or Greggs for reasonably priced baked goods. Head to Gail’s or Ruby Rose for more upmarket offerings.
Crouch End Information
Crouch End is in the London Borough of Harringey. It is close to Hornsey, Muswell Hill, Wood Green, Stroud Green (Finsbury Park), Archway and Highgate. Key roads to explore are Crouch End Hill, Park Road, Middle Lane and Broadway Parade. The nearest station is Crouch Hill Overground Line and then a walk up and over the hill. You can take the W7 from Finsbury Park station which takes 10 minutes. It’s well worth walking up the hill because you get an amazing view of Alexandra Palace in the distance. On your return, you get a fantastic view of the city of London and can see The Shard very clearly.
See the Amazing Alexandra Palace View
To find out more about the history of the area read the page on Wikipedia. This article only scratches the surface of this creative village in North London so go and explore yourself and see what you discover! See my Love Crouch End London Pinterest Board for pictures.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.
