Crouch End named ‘best place to live in London’

The area has a ‘market-town feel’ and ‘people say hello to each other on the street’ insists The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide

Crouch End best place to live — Credit James Cracknell

The title of ‘best place to live in London’ has been bestowed to Crouch End in Haringey, according to a new guide published by The Sunday Times.

Crouch End was named overall winner against competitors including Beckenham, Hackney borders, Earlsfield and King’s Cross by an ‘expert panel of judges’ who assessed factors such as schools, transport, broadband and high street health. The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide was published as a supplement on Sunday, 26th March.

The guide praised the area’s distinct cultural scene, supermarkets, independent businesses, green spaces, cafes and restaurants, lido, Victorian houses and ‘remote location’.

“It’s all about the green spaces and the independent shops in this lively north London suburb,” reads the guide.

“There’s a vibrant market-town feel to the streets that radiate out from the clock tower, where you’ll find dozens of cafes, bars and restaurants. The grand Victorian and Edwardian houses draw in plenty of celebrities, there are parks galore, two cinemas, sports clubs and a swimming pool.

“Best of all, there’s a friendliness here that’s often absent in the capital – people say hello to each other on the street.”

Six other London neighbourhoods feature in the guide, which includes 72 UK locations overall. The panel of judges, including Helen Davies, editor of the guide, and Tim Palmer, the guide’s writer, visited each location to make their decision.

Owner of much-loved bakery Dunn’s commented: “Crouch End has such a wonderful selection of independent Bakeries, Cafes, Shops and Restaurants! Something which is truly to be treasured by all those who are fortunate enough to live, work or visit this area.”

On whether Crouch End is friendlier than elsewhere in London, Lewis said: “I wouldn’t want to attempt to quantify this, but it sure is a friendly place to be, but then I feel much of London is too. If you walk around with a smile on your face it’s easy enough to spark up a conversation with someone, just make sure they’re not in a rush first!”

Harry, a local resident, said of Crouch End’s new title of ‘Best Place to Live’: “I essentially first moved to Crouch End for the Parkland Walk: running its shady, albeit often muddy, banks got me through many a day of lockdown.

“But since moving here I have found a genuine home.”

Harry attends the local Hornsey Parish Church for a 20-minute mindful silence every Sunday. “In the church I found a thoughtful, loving community, which completely overturned every stereotype I’d had about religious groups. Another place I love is the Harringay Arms, a queer pub that often has live music drag nights.

Both places seem true to the spirit of Crouch End, which manages to feel at once deeply rooted and welcoming to the newcomer. It escapes the atomised atmosphere that can characterise other parts of London.”

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