Harringay – a Haringey neighbourhood

Fresh fruit and veg in one of the many Turkish shops. Photo Credit: Alexandra Zeevalkink

It is confusing, but Harringay is a neighbourhood in the council of Haringey, in North London. If you have been in London for a while, you might have heard of it. Remember the Baby P case? That took place in the council, but not in the neighbourhood. There are, however, nicer things to celebrate the area for. Harringay, the bit of Haringey that goes roughly from Finsbury Park to Turnpike Lane tube station alongside Green Lanes, is a great place to live.

For a start, rent is cheap. You can find a bedsit for 100 per week, shared houses for as little as 75 per week and flats for as little as 550 per month. It’s not nothing, but for London it’s good.

Shops are open 24 hours. Many of the little Kurdish, Turkish and Greek places don’t close at all. The same goes for the massive Sainsbury’s. So if you have a midnight craving for milk, crisps or delicious veggie’s, you can find it all here.

If you’re not the chef you’d like to be, the many Greek and Turkish food places in the area will take care of you. They serve such a variety of Kebabs and Döners that you can eat a different one every week.

Getting there and away

Harringay doesn’t have its own tube station, but you are never further than 10 minutes away from the tube stations of Finsbury Park, Manor House or Turnpike Lane.

Buses are plenty. On Green Lanes you will find the 341 that goes up north to Ikea (live the dream) and down south to Waterloo, 24 hours per day.

The 141 brings you via Old Street into London Bridge. And, most importantly, the 29 brings you all the way to Trafalgar Square and back, also 24 hours a day.

Into the late hours

The Salisbury

Then there’s the nightlife. Go into town and everything shuts at eleven. But not here. The Salisbury, voted by Time Out to be among the best pubs in North London, is open till 2.30 in the weekends and 12.30 in the week. They serve great food ranging from the typical English Bangers & Mash to pizzas and great vegetarian dishes. On Sundays, you can chill out next to the fireplace and enjoy reading a paper and eating a Sunday Roast.

If you get bored in Harringay itself, visit the pubs in close by Stroud Green, Crouch End, Stoke Newington or Angel.

Finsbury Park

The village in the city

The many parks make the area open and green. Finsbury Park is massive and great for sunbathing in the summer, or for making snowmen in the winter. The same goes for nearby Clissold Park which is beautiful and has a mini zoo.

There is a certain village-feel to Harringay. It is a true community where you meet people, make friends and feel at home. Although I have moved away twice, I have always came back with my mind set on this crazy little stretch of madness.