Crouch End: A scenic and charming part of London

People who are seeking a comfortable place to live could be well-served by looking for flats to rent in Crouch End, an area that offers a strong local identity, scenic surroundings and plenty to do.

Part of the borough of Haringey, it is one of the most prominent conservation areas in the locality, having been designated by Haringey Council as a place of special interest that is worthy of preservation.

A suburban town centre encompassing Crouch End Broadway and Tottenham Lane, the former Hornsey Town Hall and Hornsey Central Library, it is home to a wide variety of independent shops, cafes and bars, located in the vicinity of Highgate and Alexandra Palace.

Visitors to Crouch End will be immediately struck by its charming Victorian and early 20th century architectural style, as well as its abundance of scenic tree-lined streets and its proximity to several parks, which helps to give the area a village-like feel despite its inner London location.

The history of Crouch End extends back to medieval times, developing from a small hamlet on the route to London into a site for farmsteads and summer residences for city merchants in the late 1500s.

It remained a relatively rural area until the mid-19th century, when the creation of Hornsey Station spurred a period of growth that turned it into a popular shopping destination, with Crouch End Broadway becoming a major high street.

Today, Crouch End remains an ideal destination for consumers, thanks to its surfeit of local traders, including book and art material shops, music retailers, fashion boutiques and food sellers, as well as its generous selection of restaurants, cafes and bars.

The area has a largely well-to-do population and prosperous feel, making it a pleasant and relaxing place in which to go for a stroll and browse the shops.

Crouch End also boasts a robust cultural identity and is widely recognisable for its iconic red brick clock tower, which was erected in honour of the influential 19th century council leader Henry Reader Williams.

People walking through the suburb can take in views of the tower and the art deco-styled town hall building, before paying a visit to Hornsey Library, which is home to art galleries and a cafe as well as a full range of books and reference materials.

Other noteworthy cultural attractions include regular performances by the world-renowned Crouch End Festival Chorus, which counts the likes of Bryn Terfel, Ennio Morricone and Sir Colin Davis among its patrons.

The choir has performed with stars such as Ray Davies, Basement Jaxx and Noel Gallagher, as well as featuring on the soundtrack for Doctor Who.

In practical terms, Crouch End also has plenty to offer residents, thanks to its wide selection of highly ranked schools and its proximity to both the Finsbury Park and Highgate Tube Stations, while two overland stations and plenty of bus routes are also available.

Such factors combine to make Crouch End one of the most popular and desirable places to live in London, with plenty to offer people of all interests and tastes.

Posted by Andy Britten

Published 29th December, 2011

© 2011 Estates IT Limited