Davies & Davies Estate Agents Finsbury Park have been established in North London since 1927. It’s fair to say we have a pretty impressive legacy, or you might just say that we’ve become part of the furniture. Inner North London is our home, the vast majority of our team do actually live here and we’re massive advocates of our corner of the city and those residing within its borders. We believe that promoting the local area should be an integral part of our business, after all you’re not just buying a property, you’re becoming part of a community! North London is a vibrant area with neighbourly sentiments. A bubbling pot of culture and creativity, with a burgeoning restaurant scene and independent businesses popping up at rapid speeds. We asked local culture, creativity and lifestyle magazine North Four to write us a mini guide for each of the areas that we serve across North London, to give you a snapshot of each neighbourhood’s personality…
Our neighbourhood, the leafy enclave of Stroud Green, has been called ‘obscure’ and ‘interesting’ by the likes of The Telegraph and The Independent. Well ta very much, but you might be better off using the words ‘quirky’, ‘creative’ and ‘full of amazing people’. Nestled between trendy Finsbury Park and stylish Crouch End, Stroud Green has nurtured a culture, community and ethos all of its own. Once seen as run down and overlooked, the area has made a remarkable transformation over the last fifteen years.
Young professionals and families have moved into the area, which consists of predominantly Victorian housing stock. New independent businesses have sprung up along Stroud Green Road and its neighbouring streets. Stroud Green is rife with artists, designers, writers, actors and musicians, who all contribute to the creative sensibilities of the area. It’s leafy, with beautiful architecture and an almost village-like atmosphere, but retains enough of an edge to lend it an arty feel.
This guide was written by North Four magazine #lovelocal
The Vibe: COOL, CREATIVE BUT NOT TRY-HARD. LAID BACK WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOUR
Booze: THE FALTERING FULLBACK, THE STAPLETON HALL TAVERN, BRAVE SIR ROBIN
Have a hangover: THE FRONT ROOM, THE WHITE LION
Stuff your face: Kjöt + Eldur, PASTA REMOLI, MAX'S SANDWICHES, ITTO
Get your caffeine fix: COMMON GROUND, BOULANGERIE BON MATIN
Get Romantic: SEASON KITCHEN, LA FABRICA, WALNUT
Be Cultural: PARK THEATRE, THE WORLD'S END (MUSIC VENUE)
Observe Local Wildlife: FINSBURY PARK, PARKLAND WALK NATURE RESERVE
Shop: PRETTY SHINY SHOP, MOSEYHOME, CRISIS
Ah Finsbury Park, a Zone 2 neighbourhood with great transport links, actual green spaces and lots of things to do. Add pretty houses, tree-lined streets and more places to eat and drink than you can shake a (baguette) stick at and you have a rather lovely place to live.
Yes, the transport links are brilliant (it’ll take you less than 10 minutes to get to Oxford Street, Kings Cross and Old Street from Finsbury Park Station) and the area is becoming increasingly well served by all manner of artsy spots. An array of good pubs and the pull of the burgeoning restaurant scene have seen young families, creative professionals and couples move to the area in their droves. A neighbour of the more upmarket Highbury and the decidedly grittier Manor House, Finsbury Park is like that cool cousin you really wanted to be friends with when you were a kid – friendly, unassuming and quietly trendy. The area has a longstanding musical and arts heritage running through its veins, which goes some way to explaining that undercurrent of ‘cool’ that you just can’t quite place your finger on.
This guide was written by North Four magazine #lovelocal
The Vibe: FUN, FRIENDLY, TRENDY WITH AN UNDERCURRENT OF CULTURAL COOL
Booze: T-BIRD, THE BROWNSWOOD, THE TWELVE PINS
Have a hangover: LARA’S, FINKS SALT AND SWEET, SALT THE RADISH
Stuff your face: SALVATION IN NOODLES, YARD SALE
Get your caffeine fix: BLIGHTY COFFEE, FINSBURY PARK CAFE, MENTO
Get Romantic: DOTORI, IL CAVALIERE
Be Cultural: FURTHERFIELD GALLERY, LIGHT EYE MIND
Observe Local Wildlife: FINSBURY PARK, GILLESPIE PARK
Shop: WITTLES DELI, EIGHTY SEVEN
Harringay was built in the late 1800s with the aim of providing good quality housing for middle-class folk. Most are classic Victorian terraces, with high ceilings, gardens and a variety of decorative inflections. Until recent years the area was a relative unknown to many a Londoner, but now its reputation for lovely housing stock and its budding foodie scene, alongside its relative affordability, has resulted in a migration of families and twenty-somethings flocking to its pretty ladder of streets.
The brightly coloured wares of The Grand Parade, the area’s main thoroughfare which is part of the ridiculously long Green Lanes, and the bustling nature of the area are all part of the charm. Seriously impressive food shops and bargain restaurants punctuate the high street. The area has been nicknamed ‘Little Turkey’ due to its abundance of quality Turkish restaurants, many of which have won Timeout Awards and praise by food critics alike. Oh and there’s a 24 hour McDonald’s to boot… no judgement here.
This guide was written by North Four magazine #lovelocal
The Vibe: COLOURFUL, VIBRANT, FAST PACED
Booze: THE SALISBURY, JAM IN A JAR
Have a hangover: BUN AND BAR, SNUG ART CAFÉ
Stuff your face: AUTOGRAF GRILL, HA NOI PHO
Get your caffeine fix: BEAN AND BARLEY, BLEND CAFE, MUSIC AND BEANS
Get Romantic: ANTEPLILER, DIYARBAKIR, BROUHAHA BAR
Be Cultural: GREEN LENS STUDIO, ARENA ARIEL CIRCUS CLUB
Observe Local Wildlife: FINSBURY PARK, DUCKETTS COMMON
Shop: HARRINGAY LOCAL STORE, RED CROSS CHARITY BOOKSHOP
Manor House is probably Inner North London’s best-kept secret. A geographically small neighbourhood nestled in the most easterly corner of Finsbury Park, it holds a close-knit community of creative types who live and work in the little houses and warehouse conversions dotted along its streets. This is in contrast to the glisteningly tall towers of the Woodberry Down Apartments, a shiny new development that is home to those who prefer more modern surrounds and views of the city.
The area has a heritage of culture and creativity, with The Rolling Stones playing weekly gigs here in the early 1960’s as part of the Harringay Jazz Club. Whilst it’s true to say the area has experienced its fair share of negative associations, in recent years the community has grown to accommodate more artists, designers, photographers and musicians who are keen to take advantage of the excellent facilities, unusual housing stock, and more affordable prices. As a result, Manor House has come to be known locally as a hub for art and creativity, whilst the contemporary apartments popping up across the West Reservoir has beckoned more monied types to the area.
This guide was written by North Four magazine #lovelocal
The Vibe: EDGY, ARTSY, A REAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Booze: THE FINSBURY, THE HAPPY MAN PUB
Have a hangover: PARK VIEW CAFÉ, OTLANTIC CAFE BAR
Stuff your face: THE NATURALIST, THAI BOON NOON
Get your caffeine fix: ZER COFFEE & JUICE BAR
Get Romantic: WEST RESERVOIR CENTRE, THE COAL HOUSE CAFE
Be Cultural: NEW RIVER STUDIOS, FLABBERGAST THEATRE, INHOUSE FILM FESTIVAL
Observe Local Wildlife: NEW RIVER PATH, WOODBERRY WETLANDS
Shop: REGENT ANTIQUES, SIMPLY ORGANIQUE
Highbury is like Finsbury Park’s stylish older sister. Whilst it might not have the edgy grit and cool cultural undertones of its neighbour, it more than makes up for it with its stunning Victorian and Edwardian housing, plush green spaces, quaint coffee houses, cute cafes, grand pubs and its variety of good quality restaurants serving gastro, international and seasonal fare. The area is picture-book pretty, full of charming shops and beautiful architecture. It’s a family friendly neighbourhood, with a laidback atmosphere and an artistic culture that is evident across its arts spaces and homeware stores alike.
The area retains a village-like charm, with its array of interesting independent shops lending the area extra character. It’s a ‘well to do’ type of area, but without being alienating – the friendly nature and sunny outlook of its residents and shopkeepers brighten up even the weariest of visitor’s days. It’s definitely a wine and cheese type of neighbourhood, indeed Highbury Barn is home to one of the most well-known cheese shops in the city, La Fromagerie, and it also houses Highbury Vintners a respected local wine merchant. Furthermore, residents benefit from the expanse of the famous Highbury Fields to the south of the enclave.
This guide was written by North Four magazine #lovelocal
The Vibe: WELL TO DO, AVOCADOS, HOMELY AND PRETTY AS A PICTURE
Booze: THE HIGHBURY BARN, THE BANK OF FRIENDSHIP
Have a hangover: FRANKS, CAFÉ N5
Stuff your face: AU LAC, THE BEACH HUT, THE WOODBINE
Get your caffeine fix: FULL OF BEANS, HIGHNESS CAFÉ AND TEA ROOM
Get Romantic: HIGHBURY ARTS CLUB, IL GUSCIO, FARANG
Be Cultural: ESTORICK COLLECTION, THE FLORENCE TRUST
Observe Local Wildlife: HIGHBURY FIELDS
Shop: GATHERING MOSS, LA FROMAGERIE, BOURNE'S FISHMONGERS
Holloway has a bit of a cult following. On the surface you might only see a busy high street, furiously trampled over by thousands of rushing feet every day. Perhaps you only recollect the fact that it home to the infamous woman’s prison (tucked away on Camden Road – nothing to see here). Or maybe it’s the nearby football ground, home to North London’s finest (unless you’re a Spurs fan) football team Arsenal, that gets you thinking of this neighbourhood. Scratch a little deeper however and you’ll discover the Holloway that we know and love – bustling, cultural and full of retro charm.
Visitors to the area might be surprised to find street after street of well kept, grand Victorian houses – similar to those found in Highbury and Stroud Green. Holloway has managed to retain its original charm, pulling in a famously vintage inspired crowd, who flock here for the local vintage shops, traditional cafes, rocker bars, old-fashioned markets and Grade II listed Odeon cinema. Holloway is a riot of wiggle dresses, pin curls, leathers and mod suits, jostling for pavement space and outdoor café seats with the families, market sellers and food shoppers who have lived in the area for decades.
This guide was written by North Four magazine #lovelocal
The Vibe: BUZZING, GREAT FOR VINTAGE LOVERS AND POPULAR WITH A RETRO CROWD
Booze: ARKSTAR, THE LANDSEER ARMS, THE LAMB
Have a hangover: THE CORONET, THE BARN
Stuff your face: BIRD, PHO HOUSE, ZIA LUCIA
Get your caffeine fix: VAGABOND, SACRED CAFÉ
Get Romantic: 129HRD, LA MUSE
Be Cultural: THE HORATIA, ODEON CINEMA
Observe Local Wildlife: WHITTINGTON PARK
Shop: VIVIEN OF HOLLOWAY, BLUE 17 VINTAGE
Crouch End is a hive of leisurely activity. Stylish mums and dads, wearing Breton stripes and dark denim, round up their children for a trip to Riley’s Ice Cream, watching their eyes light up in delight as the shopkeeper hands them a towering cone of gelato. Writers, designers and PR types throw their laptops open at Harris and Hoole Coffee House, accompanied by a flat white and a warm brownie whilst they answer a throng of emails. An array of ugly-cute (cugly?) dogs are walked proudly down Middle Lane on their way to Priory Park, where they will partake in a spot of squirrel chasing.
So far, so very chic. Add a dash of live comedy, a sprinkling of art galleries, chuck in several casual pubs and eateries, and you have a really special mix. The area is beautiful, with grand houses, tree-lined streets and the centrepiece of the neighbourhood, the famous clock tower, adding extra ‘pretty points’. The crowd here is friendly, chilled out and into literature, yoga, the arts and design. Expect to leave the area clambering for more – that’s what we like to call the ‘Crouch End effect’.
This guide was written by North Four magazine #lovelocal
The Vibe: THE VIBE: FAMILY FRIENDLY, STYLISH AND FULL OF YUMMY MUMMIES (AND DADDIES)
Booze: THE KINGS HEAD, THE RAILWAY TAVERN, HARRINGAY ARMS
Have a hangover: BANNERS, THE HABERDASHERY
Stuff your face: PORKY'S, TOOTOOMOO, CHICKEN SHOP & DIRTY BURGER
Get your caffeine fix: HARRIS AND HOOLE, COFFEE CIRCUS
Get Romantic: MELANGE, BISTRO AIX, NICKLE
Be Cultural: JEALOUS GALLERY, ARTHOUSE, CITY SCREEN CINEMA
Observe Local Wildlife: ALEXANDRA PARK, PRIORY PARK
Shop: OF SPECIAL INTEREST, THE URBAN FLOWER COMPANY, BOTTLE APOSTLE
Roll up, roll up good people of North London for Archway is being transformed before your very eyes! Once seen, perhaps unfairly, as a bit tatty, there are now plans afoot to improve the hideous seventies nightmare of a gyratory system opposite the station and turn it into a pretty pedestrianised piazza. Blocks of contemporary apartments are springing up next to the more traditional Victorian housing and an increasing amount of cycle lanes are being introduced for the more environmentally and financially conscious residents.
Apparently, it was at Archway that Dick Whittington heard the Bow Bells ringing and returned back to London, there’s a small statue of his famous cat situated outside the Whittington hospital to mark the neighbourhood’s famous past. Things have changed since Dick’s day, little independent shops, cafes, and eateries are popping up rapidly. The rather lovely Archway Market lures in those looking for a decent bit of smelly cheese, organic meat or a good bottle of locally sourced honey. The community spirit is also strong here, there’s a sense of camaraderie and fellowship among local residents, who open their arms to new neighbours and traders alike.
This guide was written by North Four magazine #lovelocal
The Vibe: Close knit community, busy, historic, changes afoot
Booze: St John's Tavern, The Charlotte Despard
Have a hangover: Workers Cafe, The Spoke
Stuff your face: Hot Wok Kitchen, CHE COSA, CRUDOUGH
Get your caffeine fix: Bread and Bean, JOY CAFE BAR & JUICERY
Get Romantic: 500 Italian Kitchen, Harman, Theatre of Wine
Be Cultural: Visit Karl Marx's Tomb, Archway Library
Observe Local Wildlife: Waterlow Park, Highgate Cemetary
Shop: Archway Market, MAP GIFT SHOP, SECOND CHANCE
020 7272 0986
Finsbury Park Office,
85 Stroud Green Road,
London, N4 3EG
Mon – Thurs 0845 – 1815
Fri 0845 – 1800
Sat 1000 – 1600
Sun: Appointments by Request
By submitting your details you are consenting to Davies & Davies sending you their sales newsletter. You can request to have your data changed or removed at any time - please see our Privacy Policy.
By submitting your details you are consenting to Davies & Davies sending you their rentals newsletter. You can request to have your data changed or removed at any time - please see our Privacy Policy.