Pubs, shops and Edwardian houses: What it's like to live in 'vibey' Hornsey

This north London district was its own municipal borough before combining with Wood Green and Tottenham in 1965 to form Haringey.

Pinpointing its exact boundaries has been the subject of much discussion but the general consensus is that it nudges Alexandra Park to the north, Crouch End to the west and the Harringay Ladder to the south – and encompasses a large chunk of Wood Green and the top end of Green Lanes.

What isn’t in any doubt is its Victorian and Edwardian houses aren’t as pricey as those in the fancier neighbouring suburbs, and that there are plenty of places to eat, drink and shop.

You’ll find the usual big brands in The Mall Wood Green, Turkish patisseries and restaurants on Green Lanes, and useful shops and pubs along Hornsey High Street.

Commuting is easy, with the Piccadilly line at Turnpike Lane and Wood Green, and mainline trains from Hornsey station.

Meet the residents

Grace Seymour, a chef for charity Chefs In Schools, and her husband Chris, a teacher, rented in Hornsey for four years and were determined to stay local when buying. Last summer they moved into a one-bedroom flat at Evergreen by Latimer, using Help to Buy – which was shelved at the end of March – to get on the ladder.

Why Hornsey?

This is such an incredible place to live. It’s energetic and vibey, the perfect balance of laid-back and bustling, and there’s a huge choice of amazing restaurants and bars.

The best things about living here?

As we both work in schools we get a lovely long summer break, and last year it was great spending it in our new home. We love going on long walks in the local parks, especially Alexandra Park, and also enjoy discovering other areas of London, so having Turnpike Lane Tube station down the road is a huge bonus. We’re always trying out new venues in the area – one place we can’t stay away from is Brouhaha, a Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar – it’s brilliant. And our new neighbours are very friendly!

What made you choose this development?

Evergreen’s literally over the road from our old rented flat. We’d been saving to buy in this area for a while, so it felt like fate when the build started. After our first viewing we immediately knew we wanted it to be our home and within a week we had a mortgage offer.

How are you finding having a place of your own?

Our rented flat was quite old and needed updating, and simply doesn’t compare to our new home, which feels clean, bright and welcoming. We’re so grateful that we made use of Help To Buy while we could.

It’s given us new freedom and security, and living in a new-build kept us warm and comfortable over the winter and has decreased our energy bills significantly. Eco-friendly features such as triple glazing make a huge difference – something we hadn’t even considered when we initially started looking to buy.

We’ve gone from having no outdoor space to having a wonderful balcony, and the design of our home means that everything’s where it should be. It’s a joy to live in.

Vital Statistics: Hornsey

Average property price: £891,246

Average rent: £2,368 pcm

Council tax (Band D): £1,992.32

Commuting time: Ten mins to King’s Cross

Travelcard: £1,916 pa

What’s new in Hornsey

Evergreen


Now nearly sold out, these high-spec flats are at the top of Green Lanes. Each includes a balcony or terrace, engineered oak flooring and composite stone worktops and integrated appliances in the open-plan kitchen.

A three-bedroom garden duplex is from £767,500 and two and three-bedroom shared-ownership homes start at £143,125 for 25 per cent of £572,500.

More information can be found: here.

Clarendon


More than 1,700 homes are being delivered in St William’s mixed-used scheme, part of the Haringey Heartlands regeneration. The latest phase is Cavendish House, comprising 93 suites (studios), one and two-bedroom flats next to the residents-only Park Club, where facilities include a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spin-cycle studio and workspaces.

Prices from £485,000, find out more: here.

L&Q @ Clarendon



Pet-friendly studio, one, two and three-bedroom shared-ownership flats within the wider Clarendon site. Ready to move into now, they feature bright open-plan kitchen-living-dining rooms leading out to a balcony or terrace.

Prices from £89,375 for a 25 per cent share of £357,500.

Find out more here.

Caxton Square



Launched mid-May, this development will comprise one, two and three-bedrooms flats, plus commercial space and a communal courtyard.

All homes include superfast broadband, integrated appliances and quartz-stone worktops, bathrooms with smart technology, open-plan living areas and a terrace or balcony.

Prices from £430,000, find out more: here.

Hornsey Town Hall


Hornsey’s Grade-II-listed former town hall complex which, strictly speaking, is in Crouch End, is being transformed by Far East Consortium into a collection of flats spread across three new blocks and the restored original building. It houses an arts centre, co-working space, restaurants, a café and the Dao by Dorsett hotel. One and two-bedroom flats are left.

Prices from £494,950, find out more: here.

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