London


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-nbsp">WHY?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Dominated by a 19th-Century clock tower, Crouch End lies in the North London borough of Haringey and has an elegant, laid-back vibe more akin to a market town than a city, which is highly appealing to families. There&#8217;s an enticing amount of Indies, including shops, pubs, restaurants and bars, great schools, a couple of cinemas and lots of open, green spaces compared to some of the capital’s more ‘urban’ areas. Celebs Alan Carr, David Tennant, Katherine Ryan and Simon Pegg call it home, and that alone’s a good enough reason to move here in Muddy’s opinion (imagine the LOLs down your local).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="990" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-20.31.00.png" alt="The Queens in Crouch End " class="wp-image-5152" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-20.31.00.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-20.31.00-300x198.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-20.31.00-1024x676.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-20.31.00-768x507.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Tuck in your napkin, we&#8217;ll be a while. For fine French cuisine (snails, duck, scallops) and ambiance (blackboards, wood tables) Muddy loves <a href="https://www.les2garconsbistro.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Les 2 Garcons Bistro</a> on Crouch Hill. If it&#8217;s full, fill your boots instead at wonderful <a href="https://bistroaix.co.uk/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bistro Aix</a>. Date night at <a href="https://littlemercies.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Mercies</a> is a must for cocktails and delicious seasonal dishes, while <a href="https://www.floralhall-london.com/info" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Floral Hall</a>&#8216;s another glam spot for cocktails and bites like burrata, salsa verde and watercress. </p>



<p>Fancy tapas? Hit <a href="http://lafabricacrouchend.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Fabrica</a> for the best jamon Iberico, manchego and chorizo this side of southern Spain. The blue-and-white-striped awnings of <a href="https://dunns-bakery.co.uk/collections/the-dunns-range" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dunn’s Bakery’s</a> are a landmark in Crouch End, it’s been in the same family for six generations and is <em>the</em> place for all your bread/cup cake/pastry needs. Love a glass of vino? Head to <a href="https://www.humblegrape.co.uk/crouch-end" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humble Grape Crouch End</a> and you have more than 400 bottles to choose from, plus there&#8217;s a restaurant if you get peckish. Pub-wise, it’s all about <a href="https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/queens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Queens</a> which has a wood and stained glass dining room dating back to the turn of the century.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Grow-Studio-Crouch-End.jpg" alt="Grow Studio Crouch End " class="wp-image-79765" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grow Studio </figcaption></figure>



<p>Crouch End is riddled with browsable boutiques like <a href="https://littleparisstore.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Paris Store</a> (great for fashion and furnishings), <a href="https://www.thegrow.studio/about">The Grow Studio</a> for indoor plants, and galleries like <a href="https://www.46parkroad.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">No 46</a>. You&#8217;ll find the perfect local bookshop in <a href="https://www.thehouseofbooks.co.uk/crouch-end/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">House of Books</a> thanks to friendly, knowledgable staff, while <a href="https://www.pickledpepperbooks.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pickled Pepper Books</a> is cool for kids, including author talks and readings. </p>



<p>Foodies can pick up seasonal, sustainable, locally-sourced goodies at urban farm shop <a href="https://fridgeofplenty.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fridge of Plenty</a> (think salmon smoked in Streatham), then make your way to <a href="https://www.freemansbutchers.co.uk/freemans-butchers-crouch-end/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Freemans Butchers </a>for the best free-range cuts.&nbsp;Even your pooch can get a piece of the indie action at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Www.crouchendpetandflowers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hornsey Pet &amp; Garden</a>, where you can pick up all types of doggie delights alongside indoor and outdoor plants. Basically, you&#8217;re in indie heaven.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING </h2>



<p>Hot yoga, hot pilates, hot flow, basically you&#8217;re going to be very warm (and probably much fitter) if you join the classes at <a href="https://www.3tribes.co.uk/crouch-end-studio-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3Tribes Studios</a>. Then there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.virginactive.co.uk/clubs/crouch-end/facilities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virgin Active Crouch End</a> for all your gym/reformer pilates/cycle studio and swimming needs. If you want to escape stressful city life for a few hours, book an afternoon at <a href="https://www.halothebeautyretreat.co.uk/packages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halo The Beauty Retreat</a>, which has a women-only spa offering pampering packages with massage, meditation and more. For something less holistic and more high tech head to <a href="https://beautydetoxspa.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beauty &amp; Detox Spa</a>, we&#8217;re talking laser, mesotherapy, acoustic wave therapy and even a Good Gut Clinic. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY </h2>



<p>There’s an annual <a href="https://www.crouchendfestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crouch End Festival</a>, celebrating all kinds of artists in the area (from handcraft to musicians), <a href="https://www.the-railwaytavern.co.uk/whats-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Railway Tavern</a> brings the community together with quiz and open mic nights, while <a href="https://www.hthartscentre.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre</a> has just had a multi-million pound refurb and will be reopening with co-working spaces, event rooms, food and drink options and a community square and green &#8211; watch this space. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions-nbsp">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-12-at-12.48.32.png" alt="Alexandra Palace " class="wp-image-79458" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ally Pally </figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.alexandrapalace.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alexandra Palace</a> (Ally Pally) is on your doorstep, meaning you’re a stroll away from one of London’s top theatre/live music venues, a vast park with boating lake, Go Ape, skate park, pétanque courts, a weekly farmer’s market and even an ice rink in winter.  In Crouch End, there&#8217;s also the sleek boutique local <a href="https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/crouch-end-picturehouse/information">Picturehouse</a>.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture-nbsp">CULTURE&nbsp;</h2>



<p>If you&#8217;re after some giggles, <a href="http://www.downstairsatthekingshead.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Downstairs at The King’s Head</a> is a legendary comedy club said to the the oldest in London (Rowan Atkinson’s an alumni). And the <a href="https://www.arthousecrouchend.co.uk/," target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ArtHouse Cinema</a>, set in a former Salvation Army Hall, screens just the sort of indie films The Odeon wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A plentiful supply of spacious Victorian and Edwardian red brick houses make CE such an attractive place to buy. If you’ve forgotten how sky high London prices are, look away, because right now a flat&#8217;s selling for an average £517,015, while it’s a cool £1,181,315 for a terraced house and £1,263,457 for a semi-detached.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property-nbsp">HOT PROPERTY&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/N8-Crouch-End.jpg" alt="Red brick 5 bed period home crouch end" class="wp-image-96548" style="aspect-ratio:1.3347222222222221;width:641px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">More period drama than a season of <em>Bridgerton</em>, this 5 bed, red brick terraced house. <a href="https://www.kfh.co.uk/north-london/crouch-end/houses-for-sale/2280895/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £2.25m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries-nbsp">NURSERIES&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s competitive in north London as places are limited, so get your name down asap at <a href="https://avenuepreprep.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avenue Pre-Preparatory School &amp; Nursery</a>, set in a rambling Victorian house with gorgeous garden in neighbouring Highgate. <a href="https://keikidaycare.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keiko Day Care</a> takes babies from three months and has a colourful outside space and toddler unit too. <a href="https://www.playhood.club/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Playhood</a>&#8216;s a Montessori nursery and co-working space, so ideal for freelancers with tots.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools-nbsp">SCHOOLS&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A wide choice, as you’d expect in the capital, but getting a place at the best can be tricky. <a href="https://coleridgeprimary.net/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coleridge Primary School</a> is Ofsted outstanding &#8211; look at houses on Crouch End Hill and Waverley, Christchurch and Haslemere roads to be within its catchment. <a href="https://stpetersandstgildas.co.uk/ (" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Peter’s Infant and St Gilda’s Junior School</a> (between Dickenson Road and Tregaron Avenue) are Catholic and rated Ofsted Good. </p>



<p>Most of the decent independents are in neighbouring Highgate, including girls’ only <a href="https://www.channing.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Channing School</a> and co-ed <a href="https://www.highgateschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highgate School</a>, which takes kids from pre-prep through to sixth form. <a href="https://www.norfolkhouseschool.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norfolk House</a>, a co-ed all-through school in nearby Muswell Hill, is also worth visiting.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret-nbsp">BEST KEPT SECRET&nbsp;</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.parkland-walk.org.uk/," target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parkland Walk,</a> a nature reserve connecting Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace via a rewilded former railway line, is a little slice of the countryside on your doorstep. Perfect for a stroll with a mate, biking with the kids or a morning jog.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute-nbsp">COMMUTE&nbsp;</h2>



<p>There’s no tube station, but that’s one of the reasons Crouch End has kept its community feel. Besides, you can walk to Highgate tube (20 mins away), or there’s an overground service at Crouch Hill or Ally Pally for trains to London Bridge. Buses to King’s Cross, Finsbury Park and Brent Cross are the best options for connections into central London.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Crouch End

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