Catherine West MP's guide to Hornsey and Wood Green

Born in Australia, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green moved to the area in 1998, making her way into national politics after a stint in the leader’s office of Islington Council.

Elected to Parliament in 2015, she now finds herself a shadow minister on the Labour frontbench.

Through it all she has remained in north London, living close to Hornsey Lane between Archway and Crouch End.

We asked her what it is she likes so much about the area and which bits we are missing out on.

Best bits

The Parkland Walk between Highgate and Finsbury Park is probably my favourite place to walk.

I do also love Priory Park because when the children were small, we would go to the paddling ponds there. The swings and the play areas are also really lovely.

Then, as they got a bit older, we played tennis in Highgate Tennis Club in Shepherds Cot.

We’re so lucky that we’ve got so much green space. It’s such an important part of living in London to have a bit of greenery around you.

Eating and drinking

Catherine West at Ezra's Kitchen in Wood Green (Image: Catherine West)

I would say in Wood Green, it’s definitely Ezra’s Kitchen which is right next door to the library. It’s got wonderful opening hours, a wonderful breakfast, and also lovely lunches. Whatever you feel like – if it’s just a coffee or freshly squeezed juice or a full fry-up – they’ve got everything.

Up in Muswell Hill, I love Crocodiles Café. It’s got that outdoor seating area which is wonderful almost in all weathers. Even if it’s raining there’s a bit of cover but you’re still outside.

Best day out

Catherine West with Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner in Highgate Wood (Image: Catherine West)

Highgate Wood with all of its history – the woods are amazing. I’m patron of Friends of Highgate Roman Kiln which is seeking to bring back the original Roman kiln that made dinnerware for Roman London 2,000 years ago. It’s a very special project of mine and now we've got Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner from Outnumbered on our team.

The Park Road Lido is also a wonderful place to swim even in winter because it’s heated. There’s nothing nicer than having a swim and then a coffee in the little café next door.

What would you change?

Affordability of housing. London as an international city is always going to be very expensive and even more so now.

It would be lovely to have just a few more transport options too. I think everyone is trying to do their best to walk or cycle but some of the infrastructure is very tired.

We could also do with a couple more bus routes. I’ve been trying to have a bus route installed from Highgate to Wood Green direct. At the moment it’s really difficult – people have to get two or three buses.

Something we might not know

We’ve got a very vibrant clothes-making industry around the Turnpike Lane area where a lot of women from Cyprus or certain countries in Africa have made it their home and worked there.

I think that’s a very important oral history that needs to be told apart from the rivalry of the two football clubs.

Arsenal or Tottenham?

Arsenal. It’s interesting, I thought I would never be selected because I’m an Arsenal supporter so that was quite nice.

We also have the only rugby league club in north London – it’s called Skolars. There’s not many areas in London that have rugby league.