Nearly ten years ago, when my partner and I were on a mission to find our new home, we drove from viewings in Muswell Hill down through Crouch End and our heads were immediately turned. We found our home amongst Crouch End’s hilly streets and enjoyed everything that this little urban village has to offer.

It is often described as such for good reason. There is a local butcher, fishmonger, and florist as well as a variety of independent shops, cafés, and amazing pubs such as The Queens where you can enjoy your food and drink in the surroundings full of original Victorian charm.

Held in the summer, Crouch End Festival is a celebration of local creativity and culture - be it music, art, crafts, or design - another reason to love this distinctly artistic corner of London.

In Crouch End you can easily be entertained from morning to night - from delicious brunch at Beam to drinks and tapas at Bar Esteban. Some late-night comedy or cabaret Downstairs at the King's Head might take your fancy - or you can pick from two (yes, two!) lovely cinemas - Crouch End Picturehouse or ArtHouse, an independent cinema and live performance space.

The lido is a real pleasure for outdoor swimming in the summer and even more entertaining when a stray duck decides to take a dip! And in the colder months, we Crouch-enders, love nothing more than taking a brisk walk through Priory Park and if we’re feeling a little more active then you’ll find us carrying on up to Alexandra Park where on arrival vast greens and incredible views of Crouch End and the city beyond await.

Crouch End is not served by the tube but for me this goes in its favour, rarely displaying that manic rush-hour feeling. That said, Finsbury Park on the Victoria Line is a short bus ride away, or you can hop on Crouch Hill, Harringay, or Hornsey Rail or even make the short walk to Archway tube.

1. Beam

A bona fide brunch sensation, Beam’s Crouch End outpost combines classics like a full English breakfast and French toast with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean spreads. There’s a lunch menu, too, and plenty of smoothie and coffee options on offer. Queue up early to beat the rush.

2. ArtHouse Crouch End

Occupying the site of the old Salvation Army Hall music palace, the entirely independent Arthouse Cinema showcases critically acclaimed flicks; streams National Theatre productions, and even hosts the Haringey film festival—proving it’s a true neighbourhood institution.

3. no 46 Park Road

46 Park Road is a shop and studio that offers a delightful range of homewares. Step inside and you’ll be met with floor-to-ceiling shelves with homemade scented candles and diffusers. The shop also sells original artwork and has pop-ups every weekend.

4. Urban Flower Co

If you’re strolling down Park Road take time to visit the team of creative florists at Urban Flower Company, where your senses will be supercharged with their seasonal flowers in bloom, and ‘unstructured’ style of bouquets and floral arrangements. Or if you’d like to get creative then check out their range of in-house flower workshops.

5. Priory Park

This park is only a hop, skip, and jump from Crouch End Broadway, and is well worth a visit. With a small wildlife pond hosting a sculpture called “the drop”, as well as a fountain that was installed in 1909 and originally stood in St Paul's Cathedral churchyard there is a lot of London’s historical charm to encounter. If you’re in need of refreshment or travelling with children you’ll also find a café, paddling pool, playground, and tennis courts, or simply enjoy a great view of Alexandra Palace.