Tufnell Park: An eclectic and sophisticated area of north London

Tufnell Park is one of the most eclectic areas of North London which incorporates a number of different postcodes and suburbs.

It straddles the border of the London borough of Islington and the London borough of Camden and is well known for its colourful and diverse lifestyle. 

Historically, the area was associated with dairy farming and was known as a rural area well into the 19th century.

In modern times, it has become noted for the various redevelopment projects that have taken place there, although major works have occurred in the area since the late 1800s.

The area once used to be the sole domain of wealthy merchants, artists and musicians, but over the years, the influx of new immigrant communities, regeneration work and building projects has meant you can meet people from different backgrounds and walks of life in this part of the capital.

All of this has all helped to contribute to Tufnell Park becoming the thriving metropolitan hub that it is today, which now incorporates a much vaster area of North London.

North London is known for its trendy, upmarket sophisticated lifestyle and excellent transport links.

Like many areas of London, Tufnell is big, exciting and varied. It is one of the more expensive places in the city and its size and diversity means finding a suitable flat or house to let or buy is a challenge. 

This can mean that choosing a place to live in this part of North London can be an overwhelming experience.

However, there are pockets of it which are more affordable and that depends largely upon which areas you want to be in.

The areas that comprise Tufnell Park are almost like little cities themselves, and each one has a slightly different flavour to the others.

Holloway, Kentish Town, and Archway are the main urban centres within the Tufnell Park area.

Holloway is a raw and thriving mix of different cultures and traditions, while Kentish Town has more of a modern, sophisticated feel to it. Then you have Archway, which is more of a residential area with a number of club nights and live music venues.

Holloway 

Holloway is one of the most densely populated places in North London and is well known for its diversity and multiculturalism.

While at one time it was known for the infamous women's prison that is located there, it has since become recognised for its luxurious new developments, contemporary retail outlets and arts scene.

It is a far cry from what it was before and is associated with Arsenal Football Club, which has a large presence in the area, thanks to the Emirates Stadium.

Holloway is often referred to in three different ways:  Upper Holloway, Holloway Proper and Lower Holloway.

Located in Islington, it is home to a large residential development known as Andover housing estate, which is where many artists and media people reside.

It is also a hotspot for graffiti artists. In Upper Holloway, the  nearby streets are lined with late Victorian houses which adds to the history of the area and is very convenient for commuting to jobs, going out in trendy Upper Street or the buzzing West End.

Kentish Town

Contrary to its slightly misleading name, Kentish Town is not located in Kent, nor is it based in the part of London which borders Kent.

It actually gets its name from the word Ken-ditch' meaning the 'bed of a waterway' because it was originally a settlement along the River Fleet which flowed through the area, and today runs underground.

It has a high number of independent retailers and in fact, the Green Party carried out a market study of the area which claimed that 53 out of 87 shops were independent.

Kentish Town covers is mixed and varied and it encompasses large council housing estates as well as some elegant Victorian homes that are popular with white collar workers.

Schools in the area have performed particularly well and it is a highly sought-after location due to its open, green spaces and eclectic mix of residential housing.

Over the years, it has become incredibly attractive to the younger generations and professionals due to its thriving nightclub scene and generous mix of pubs, clubs and bars. The area has also been credited for leading the trend for the resurgence of back-to-basics real ale pubs like Tapping the Admiral and the Southampton Arms.

But it also has a more artistic feel to it and is recognised for its many art galleries, studios and creative spaces. 

Some of the most luxurious and contemporary homes are located in Dartmouth Park and around Highgate Road.

The suburb contains a healthy mix of municipal housing, old-fashioned Victorian homes, council houses and elegant apartments.

Archway

Archway is a quiet, residential area that is conveniently located in the heart of North London. It is surrounded by notable areas such as Kentish Town and Holloway, which have a large number of shops and amenities.
Its name is derived from the arch that was built to separate Highgate from Hornsey. 

Although it is perhaps the more conservative places within the Tufnell Park region, it is known for its numerous watering holes and live music venues.

Published 14th March, 2014

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