This town within a city is elevated in both senses of the word: located on one of north London’s highest hills it offers commanding views over the capital, while its avenues of attractive Edwardian houses help it exude the atmosphere of a prosperous market town. Muswell Hill always comes up in any conversation about London’s most sought-after suburbs. You might think that not having its own Tube stop or train station would put people off – but it only adds to the area’s charm. This welcome isolation has helped mould its village-like London suburb appeal, where residents can sidestep the disadvantages of family life in the capital without leaving.
Muswell Hill
Transport
- Tube: East Finchley and Highgate Tube stations – both on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line – are within walking distance.
- National rail: residents living on the Alexandra Park side of Muswell Hill have convenient access to trains to Moorgate via Finsbury Park from Alexandra Palace station.
- Bus: locals rely on the W7 bus to Finsbury Park tube station (zone 2 – Piccadilly and Victoria lines) and the 102 or 299 buses to Bounds Green tube station (zone 3 – Piccadilly line).
Property
We have property developer James Edmondson to thank for building this stunning Edwardian suburb from the ground up in less than 20 years before the outbreak of the First World War. You will predominantly find semi-detached and terrace Edwardian houses lining its attractive residential streets, plus a smattering of properties built in the 1920s and 1930s – most of which boast private gardens.
Average property prices in Muswell Hill: flat price: £524,186, house price: £765,000
Average rental price in Muswell Hill: £357 per week
Schools
With so many local state schools rated as “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted, the local property market is driven by catchment areas.
- Primary: Muswell Hill Primary School, Our Lady of Muswell R C Primary School, St James CofE Primary School, Coldfall Primary School
- Secondary: Fortismere School (11–18 co-ed), Alexandra Park School (11–18 co-ed), Highgate Wood School (11–16 co-ed), the Archer Academy (11–16 co-ed)
- Private: Norfolk House (4 –11 co-ed), Highgate School (3–18 co-ed), Channing School (girls 4–18)
Things to do
- The high street: Edmondson adopted a unique approach to his project, creating the infrastructure first – a high street – before housebuilding started in earnest. And what a high street it is, spreading along the Broadway and Fortis Green Road, where you will find a diverse selection of chain and boutique shops, bars and restaurants.
- Open space: lovers of leafy walks are spoilt for choice around here, with Queen’s Wood, Highgate Wood, Alexandra Park – 196 acres with Alexandra Palace at its lofty summit – and The Parkland Walk on its doorstep.
- Leisure and the arts:
- Cinema: Muswell Hill Everyman cinema is located in an attractive Art Deco building.
- Events: Alexandra Palace – or Ally Pally as it’s affectionately known – is one of London’s most iconic exhibition and concert venues.
- Swimming: Park Road Pools and Fitness Centre in Crouch End is the nearest council-owned swimming pool – it is home to two outdoor lidos, indoor pools and a diving pool.