Things we love about Muswell Hill: it boasts majestic views across Crouch End and London, there’s magical woodland as far as the eye can see (a special shout out to the Parkland Walk: 4.5 miles of overgrown green trail crossing disused railway arches), Ally Pally is only a hop, skip and jump away, and everyone seems to have at least one dog. Things we don’t love about Muswell Hill: it was once home to one of London’s most notorious serial killers… and, well, that’s about it. It’s a perfect mix of family-friendly spots, boho-chic shops and old-fashioned boozers – something for just about everyone, in other words. Oh, and did we mention the cheese shop?
Things to do in Muswell Hill
Alexandra Palace
Commonly known as the ‘People’s Palace’ or Ally Pally, Alexandra Palace looks out over north London from a height. Its altitude rewards casual walkers with spectacular views, and its commanding location and 190-odd acres of leafy parkland mean it’s often mistaken for a magnificent palace of regal importance.
In reality, it’s a slightly shabby affair. Built in 1873 as a palace for the people, it has experienced bad luck including two devastating fires (the first just two weeks after it opened; the second in 1980 after it was rebuilt), years of poor funding and periods of bad management.
Despite this, Ally Pally continues to hold a spot in the heart of Londoners, and a proud place in history as the birthplace of the world’s first regular public television broadcast by the BBC in 1936. There’s an indoor ice-skating rink, an expo hall and a vast gig space where you can catch big names and the odd clubbing event. There’s a bonfire night every year, a boating lake, pitch and putt course, and deer enclosure.
Parkland Walk
A pretty green walkway along an abandoned railway line in north London
This 4.5 mile green walkway follows the course of the abandoned railway line that once ran between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. Walkers and cyclists can go through tunnels, past old train stations and under the mysterious Crouch End Spriggan.
Everyman Muswell Hill
A three-screen cinema in the Everyman luxury cinema chain.
Sunshine Garden Cetre
The Sunshine Garden Centre has a solid selection of indoor and outdoor plants and shrubs, gardening tools and accessories.
Originally the site of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, the Sunshine Garden Centre still inhabits the old pool glasshouse as well as two outhouses, which were once changing rooms. These spaces plus some more modern additions now house a solid selection of indoor and outdoor plants and shrubs, gardening tools and accessories. There’s plenty in the way of cute and quirky gifts here too, and there’s a sublime Christmas department to be explored in December as well.
London visitor 