Living and renting in Tufnell Park: travel links, parking, schools, best streets — and the average cost of monthly rent

Squeezed between the more famous neighbourhoods of Holloway, Kentish Town and Highgate, Tufnell Park is something of a north Londoners’ secret — a rough diamond for those in the know.

It’s 20 years since the hit Channel 4 sitcom Spaced first aired, telling the story of Tufnell Park housemates Daisy and Tim and their eccentric landlady.

But fans still make the pilgrimage to the quirky Victorian house in Meteor Street — actually Carleton Road — where it was filmed.

There they find leafy streets of Victorian houses, rising up the hill around the four major roads — Fortess Road, Brecknock Road, Darmouth Park Hill and Junction Road — which meet at the junction where Tufnell Park Tube station sits.

The area has a long-standing independent spirit with newer, shinier shops and eateries sitting happily alongside cheap-and-cheerful established spots such as Rustique “literary café” and Spaghetti House (not the chain), which has served classic Italian food at bargain prices for 60 years.

Who lives here? With one of those high streets that manages to retain a grungy air despite boasting a host of boutiques and cafés selling high-toned artisanal goods, the area attracts renters, often of an arts-loving, slightly rock’n’roll bent.

Rents have risen since the glory days of Spaced and as a result local renters tend to be slightly higher-powered and better-dressed than the much-loved Meteor Street gang.

Electric cars park for free in Islington borough; other residents parking permits cost between £20 and £490 depending on CO2 emissions and vehicle age. There’s a £120 surcharge for diesel cars.

Crime in Tufnell Park is lower than the London average with seven crimes per 1,000 residents. The top reported crimes are violence, personal robbery and residential burglary.

Archway Leisure Centre is a Better-run facility with a swimming pool and two-storey gym.

There are also boutique fitness options in the form of Down to Earth yoga and Pilates studio and a local branch of CrossFit.

Source: Rightmove

Families move to Tufnell Park for the “outstanding” local schools, with Yerbury Primary School in particular being a big draw.

They rent around Yerbury Road, Tytherton Road and Fairmead Road to be within the catchment area, says Mohsen Sayahi, negotiator at Burghleys estate agents.

Tufnell Park is in travel Zone 2 on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line.

Eleanor Palmer Primary School and Yerbury Primary School are both rated “outstanding” by Ofsted.

Tufnell Park Primary and Acland Burghley co-ed comprehensive school both get a “good” rating.

There’s a Sainsbury’s Local in Fortess Road, while independent food shoppers with deeper pockets can stock up at Meat NW5, The Spence Bakery, Jonathan Norris fishmonger, Ruby Violet ice cream shop, Authentique Epicerie & Bar and Theatre of Wine in Junction Road.

“People try to stay away from the back end of Tufnell Park towards Holloway Road as it is all a bit rougher there,” says Sayahi.

“It’s also further from the Tube, a good 13 minutes’ walk. But it could still be a good choice for young couples who don’t have a big budget.”

Like many people who discover Tufnell Park in north London, Deb Donato and her boyfriend, Phil, are now hooked on the area.

The couple enjoy its low-key vibe, easy Tube travel into the West End and its proximity to neighbouring Holloway, Kentish Town and Highgate.

“We’d like to buy but Tufnell Park is way out of our price range and we love the area so we have decided to stay put for now,” says Deb, a digital partnership manager.

“It’s got nice leafy streets with boutique shops and bars — not masses but just enough to keep you busy. I don’t need to have a choice of 15 different bars, I’ve got my local and I know I’ll be happy there. But if you want to go anywhere else you just hop on the Tube and you’re in central London in 10 minutes.”

Deb, 31, and Phil, 32, a neuroscientist researching treatments for motor neurone disease, pay £1,450 a month, excluding bills, for a one-bedroom top-floor conversion flat with a balcony in a Victorian terrace. They have lived there for four years.

A big plus has been their landlady, says Deb. “She has been the best, really responsive and accommodating and hasn’t increased our rent all the time we have been here.

“As for Tufnell Park, I could be happy for at least a few weeks without ever leaving the area,” she adds.

“We’re spoiled with everything we want within a few hundred metres,” says Deb.

She recommends Beauty Box salon, and also Diverse clothing boutique — just for browsing unless you are feeling rich: “It’s really upmarket.”

Tufnell Park is a rocker’s paradise with long-standing venues Boston Arms and The Dome, and the O2 Forum Kentish Town on the doorstep.

Aces and Eights Saloon Bar is great for cocktails and pizza with a side of guitar riffs turned up to 11.

“We go to the local Thai café, the Blue Moon, every week. They know our order off by heart,” says Deb.

She also recommends Authentique, a French-run wine bar and deli for drinks, and Cinnamon Village for breakfast.

Confusingly, there is no park called Tufnell Park.

There are a few green spaces, including Tufnell Park Playing Fields and Foxham Gardens, but most locals make the short trip to Parliament Hill at the foot of Hampstead Heath to enjoy the lido, athletics track and incomparable London views.