Tufnell Park area guide: schools, restaurants, station and The Dome

Boston Arms (Image: Archant)

Straddling the popular boroughs of Camden and Islington, Tufnell Park is a neighbourhood gem boasting close knit communities and independent shops amongst desirable Victorian residences.

Originally known for its dairy farms, Tufnell Park takes its name from William Tufnell, who inherited a well known manor in the area in 1754. True efforts to build up its residential appeal came almost a century later however by Whig politician Henry Tufnell in 1845, when he sponsored a scheme in which architect John Shaw Jr would design some of the houses around Carleton Road.

A Common Thread (Image: Archant)

This work was subsequently picked up by George Truefitt, who not only expanded the project into further streets, but also developed Tufnell Park’s church of St George, which has since become the Rock Tower.

Shops

Bear + Wolf (Image: Archant)

A thriving independent shopping scene has sprung up in Tufnell Park in recent years, well documented by local tweeters like @TheArchwegian. Jessica de Lotz jewellery opened this year on Fortess Road and A Common Thread stocks ethical yarns and knitting supplies and runs workshops.

Food shopping in Tufnell Park is an independent shopper’s dream with specialist outlets including butcher and deli shop, Meat NW5, fishmongers Jonathan Norris, a branch of the popular Stoke Newington-founded Spence Bakery for artisan bread, and wine shop Theatre of Wine.

Harrington and Squires printmakers. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Best for homewares… Future & Found comes highly recommended for its selection of trendy lifestyle and interiors pieces.

Best for stationary… Harrington And Squires offers letterpress printing workshops where crafty types can buy charming ready printed items from them or commission your own cards, small editions of books or invitations.

Meat NW5 (Image: Archant)

Best for a sweet treat… local ice cream and sorbet can be found at Ruby Violet on Fortress Road.

Restaurants, cafes and bars

The Spaghetti House is popular for its tasty plates of pasta at bargain basement prices and BYOB policy. Try The Spice for authentic Indian cooking.

Oak & Pastor (Image: Archant)

Best for a local lunch… Korova is a family run restaurant serving seasonal foods, morning coffee and evening meals sourced from a close radius of suppliers based in Tottenham, Primrose Hill, Finsbury Park and Kentish Town.

The Junction Tavern, Oak & Pastor, St John’s Tavern and Tufnell Park Tavern are all great options for a pint. An edgier crowd flocks to cocktail bar Aces and Eights, The Hideaway and the Boston Arms.

Spence Bakery (Image: Archant)

Best for music lovers… The Dome is upstairs at the Boston Arms featuring up-and-coming musicians and has previously played host to artists like Nirvana and, more recently, Jamie T.

Sports and green spaces

Tufnell Park Playing Fields (Image: Archant)

Tufnell Park Playing Fields is run by Islington Council and has a cricket net, full size grass football pitches and tennis courts alongside a children’s playground and a large open park area. Yoga fanatics should head to new studio Down to Earth.

Things to do with children

Bear + Wolf is a very child-friendly café – serving excellent parent-friendly coffee and the “best brunch in Tufnell Park” according to some locals. There’s a buggy park area as well as a back room and garden where children can play. Foxham Gardens also has a small children’s playground for outdoor fun.

Foxham Gardens (Image: Archant)

Primary and secondary schools

The district has a variety of strong primary schools nearby: Tufnell Park School lies to the South East and currently holds a Good Ofsted rating, as does Brookfield to the North West. Parents also clamour to get their children into Yerbury Primary School and Eleanor Palmer Primary School, both of which are rated Outstanding.

Comprehensive secondary school options abound: Acland Burghley, whose graduates include musician Miss Dynamite and Britain’s former first Lady, Sarah Brown, is in Tufnell Park and Requires Improvement according to Ofsted. Parliament Hill School and William Ellis are rated Good and are a short distance towards Camden, with Holloway School which ‘requires improvement’ nearby in Islington. La Sainte Union Catholic School is also a Good local faith school.

Transport

Tufnell Park is in zone 2 on the High Barnet branch of the Northern Line, between Kentish Town and Archway. The station was built in 1907 on the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway and has new lifts and a ticket office.

Property Guide

Postcode

Despite it’s small size, Tufnell Park has three postcodes. The area straddles Camden and Islington with postcodes ranging from N7 and N19 to NW5. Those in the borough of Camden will pay £944.97 for a Band A property. Those in Band D will pay £1,417.46 and those at the top end of the spectrum in Band H will pay £2,834.92.

Housing stock

Nestled in bustling north London, Tufnell Park is a largely residential area typified by its tall Victorian terraces, which make great family homes. Many of them have been divided into flats and make ideal starter homes or rental properties.

House prices

Two-bedroom flat – £585,612

Terraced house – £1,262,448

Semi-detached house – £1,691,941

Detached house – £1,510,144