North London’s picturesque Crouch End, N8, has today been named as one of London’s best places to live as part of the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
Describing the area as having “all the charm of a quintessential English market town — it just happens to be in the capital’s Zone 3,” the judges also praise the area’s green space, schools and family-size period homes.
“Yes, it lacks a Tube station,” the judges concede, “but independence is part of the package. Why would anyone want to leave somewhere so friendly and welcoming?”
It’s a sentiment shared by chef and food writer Dominique Woolf who spoke to Homes & Property in May 2024 about her London area of 22 years and counting.
My guide to Crouch End, by chef Dominique Woolf
My husband and I were living in Hendon, and went out to what was then a Loch Fyne restaurant for dinner. We walked around in the early evening before the meal and were blown away by how many restaurants there were, and the vibe. It was buzzing and alive, and had an intimate, village-y feel. We’ve got to move here, we thought.
I’ve lived in Crouch End for 22 years now. We’ll be here for the foreseeable future. If I’m in London, this is where I’m going to live.
We’re spoiled for choice here. La Fabrica, on Broadway Parade, and Bar Esteban, on Park Road, are two brilliant Spanish tapas bars. Both have a great atmosphere and are very reasonable – we’ve been going for years and years.
Wow Simply Japanese, on Crouch End Hill, has been a favourite since it opened. The Godzilla roll is amazing. My kids now love it, which is a problem because they eat as much as we do.
Kiss The Koala is Dominique’s go-to coffee spot
Daniel Lynch
Tomo, on Hornsey High Street, is a great local Italian pizzeria. It’s family-run and is very reliable. Les 2 Garçons, on Middle Lane, hasn’t been here that long, but feels like it’s already an institution. It’s a buzzing, French brasserie-style restaurant. It’s always full.
Drinks-wise, The Victoria Stakes, on Muswell Hill, is a beautiful pub with a lovely covered outdoor area. I had my book launch there a couple of years ago, and my husband celebrated his 50th there. It’s got great food and drinks.
The Victoria Stakes has an outdoor covered seating area
Daniel Lynch
Floral Hall, on Crouch Hill, is bright, with a lovely feel to it. And Little Mercies, on Broadway Parade, is very intimate, with killer cocktails.
I’ll often stop by at Kiss the Koala, on Priory Road, for a coffee. We’ve sampled quite a bit of the street food at Ally Pally Farmers’ Market on a Sunday too.
I love running, so Ally Pally is brilliant. You’ve got some hills to give you a bit of a workout, and a lovely view when you get to the top.
There’s so much to Ally Pally. There’s a playground at the top and a lake — well, we call it a lake — as well as lots of different parkland areas.
Priory Park is great for kids, says Dominique
Daniel Lynch
I’ve got kids, and I basically lived at Priory Park for five years. It’s brilliant because there’s a little café, a paddling pool in the summer, and a playground. It’s still where we go, even though they’re a bit older now.
We’re lucky to have so much on our doorstep. There are little versions of all the main supermarkets here, but I love Walter Purkis on the Broadway for fish. Middle Lane Market is a little deli with lots of nice things in it. There’s a Haelan Centre, also on the Broadway, for if you ever want any healthy products.
Middle Lane Market is her local deli
Daniel Lynch
Pachara, on Broadway Parade, is a great little Asian supermarket, and Harvest N8, on Tottenham Lane, is new and next on my list. It’s well-stocked with artisan products.
For a sweet pastry, there’s Sourdough Sophia on Middle Lane, and Dunns, which is an institution in Crouch End. They do fantastic doughnuts.
For a little village, we’ve got two cinemas: the ArtHouse and the Picturehouse, both on Tottenham Lane.
The ArtHouse cinema is one of two cinemas in Crouch End
Daniel Lynch
We’ve got a House of Books and Waterstones, as well as Ally Pally. We’ll go to the Kaleidoscope Festival in July, which is right on our doorstep. There’s music — Ministry of Sound Classical are headlining this year — comedy and street food, and it’s great for kids.
There’s no Tube, but the W3 and W7 buses go to Finsbury Park, where you can get the Victoria line.
The W7 bus takes you to Finsbury Park tube station
Daniel Lynch
You can walk to Turnpike Lane, on the Piccadilly line, or Highgate, on the Northern line, and there’s the overland at Hornsey, which takes you into the city.
Park Avenue South. The houses there are large, they look fantastic and they’ve got a grandeur about them.
Something you only see in Crouch End
The Bonfire Night fireworks at Ally Pally. I can see them from my loft.
Park Avenue South, Dominique’s dream street
Daniel Lynch
Some would say the lack of a Tube, but I think the area is good for transport.
Buzzing. Vibrant. Community
The Asian Pantry was released in June 2024
Daniel Lynch
Coleridge Primary School, South Harringay Junior School and Noel Park Primary School are all rated outstanding.
For secondaries, the top choices nearby are Greig City Academy, Hornsey School for Girls, Highgate Wood and Heartlands, all deemed good.
Average flat price: £554,620
Average house price: £1,340,460
Average flat: £1,950 pcm
Average house: £4,060 pcm
Source: Hamptons & Land Registry
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