In the late 19th century Crouch End was dominated by a few sprawling villas, including the impressive Crouch Hall. The railway had a big impact on the area. This prompted a surge in suburban house building, the architect John Farrer responsible for the handsome Edwardian red brick houses in the east of the area. It remains one of the most desirable addresses for many professional couples, as well as many buy-to-let investors taking advantage of the popularity.
Crouch End offers many choices of restaurant from Thai to Caribbean or Japanese to Indian. Banner’s is the place to go for a family meal, while Bistro Aix serves fine French food and Tootoomoo does an unbeatable beef rendang. Bar Esteban offers delicious The award winning Haberdashery is best for brunch. Cafe Beam on Topsfield Close offers a vast breakfast menu, as well as sandwiches, wraps and salads. Cannons a traditional fish and chip shop located in both Crouch End and Southgate.
The King’s Head pub not only offers great food and beer, but runs popular comedy and quiz nights. Its comedy club is one of the oldest in Britain, having welcomed many top names including Al Murray and Rowan Atkinson. The spacious ex British Legion social club Earl Haig Hall offers real ales alongside a comfort food menu and runs regular live music nights as well as ‘babyjazz’ parent and child sessions during the day. The Queen's Pub on Broadway Parade is a Victorian pub that offers up modern pub grub.
Culture lovers will find the ArtHouse Crouch End - a boutique cinema housed in what was once a Salvation Army Hall that runs ‘babes in arms’ showings, a kids’ club and regular special events and Q&A sessions. The annual Crouch End Festival in June showcases the area’s artistic talents with art exhibitions, poetry and spoken word, historical talks, plays and choir performances. Alexandra Palace hosts events, music performances and other cultural events year round.
The local amenities are excellent with a pick of supermarkets, Waitrose, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Budgens all centrally located within the shadow of the clock tower. Nearby are the many excellent Turkish grocery stores, fresh seafood and fish, a bakery offering delicious homemade loaves and pastries. Coffee shops include Starbucks and Costa Coffee, are on the Broadway, but try an expertly made espresso from the independent Coffee Circus on Crouch Hill.
The schools in Crouch End are a key reason for the high proportion of families seeking to live in the area. Primary schools include Coleridge Primary School, Weston Park Primary School, Rokesly Junior School, the Catholic St Gildas’ Junior School and St Aidan’s Voluntary Controlled Primary in nearby Stroud Green. Crouch End also boasts several local secondary schools, including Hornsey School for Girls, Highgate Wood, the Greig City Academy and Mount Carmel Catholic College for Girls. Kestrel House School on Crouch Hill is a small independent school for children with autism.
