This is definitely a route to take only in fine weather or at least when it’s not raining because most places of interest are outdoors.

1. Tottenham Hale

Before getting on the route, walk round to Tottenham Lock and Hale Wharf. Tottenham is a paired lock on the River Lee Navigation, whilst the wharf is a regeneration site, with plans for 2,000 new homes. A new bridge is being built, providing enhanced pedestrian access.

2. Philip Lane

Back to Tottenham Hale bus station and take the 41 to Philip Lane and to Downhills Park. Just before the entrance to the park, is a small plaque dedicated to the people who came over on Windrush and who settled in Haringey. Not far into the park, is the Portrait Bench with sculptures of three local celebrities, along the same lines as those in Paddington Green on bus route 18. These three are Walter Tull, a footballer who had played for Spurs in early 20th century, Nicola Adams, the Olympic boxing gold medallist and Luke Howard, a 19th century chemist and meteorologist.

3. Willow Walk

The next stop is Willow Walk and a short walk from the stop is Green Gate Common and Duckett’s Common, which is also on bus route 29. The two green areas straddle the road and together form a public park. Walking around the streets, you will come across Carlingford Road where there is some wonderful graffiti of various cartoon characters, as well as celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy. Turnpike Lane Art Group (TAG) and James Straffon created this heritage-focused installation to commemorate The Ritz Cinema which opened on 30th December 1935. It’s worth a look – they are brilliant!

4. Hornsey Police station

Just over the road from the stop is a small green space known as Apple Tree and Blackberry Orchard. The name is deceptive, or at least it is in the winter as it’s not obvious there are apple trees or blackberry bushes. But it’s a lovely little area with some benches and a gate to separate yourself from the street. Nearby is Holy Innocents Church, built in 1877 in the gothic style. At this time Hornsey’s green fields were being transformed into Victorian terraced houses, so congregations such as this were flourishing. The church isn’t always open to the public but if you’re lucky, you can go in and see the stained glass windows and the two war memorials.

5. Crouch End Broadway

Near the bus stop is the grade II listed, art deco pub The Queens, originally built as a hotel at the very beginning of the 20th century. A stone’s throw away is The Clock Tower which dominates this part of Crouch End. Originally it was the terminus for the horse-drawn omnibuses which operated between Crouch End and Stroud Green. The drinking fountain was used by both horses and people, important at a time when clean drinking water was not so easy to come by. The significance of the tower as a focal point for the local community is evident from the fact that on November 11th, 1918 a fiddler played at its foot to signal the armistice. Up the road from the tower is Town Hall Square which is currently undergoing some transformation. The old town hall is being converted into residential houses and flats whilst the square will be the centre of activity in the area.

6. Hornsey Lane

Alight here for Parkland Walk which incorporates the old Crouch End Railway station. The station was opened on 22 August 1867. The line ran from Finsbury Park to Edgware via Highgate with branches to Alexandra Palace and High Barnet. The track was being modernised in the 1930s but work halted due to the war and although it was partially resumed in the 1950s, owing to dwindling passenger numbers, the line closed in 1954. All the tracks have been removed and where the line existed, has been transformed into the Parkland Walk. Along the walk is the Green spriggan sculpture by Marilyn Collins, in an alcove of the wall at the footbridge.

7. Hornsey Rise

One stop on from Parkland Walk is Elthorne Park. The entrance has an interesting sculpture of an African mask, made by the Nigerian artist Emmanuel Taiwo Jegede. This sculpture is placed very near the Philip Noel Baker Peace Garden, so named after Mr Baker who was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for his tireless campaigning for peace. It has a bog garden, an elaborate water feature, a white garden, and a bronze sculpture entitled Upon Reflection – a self-portrait of artist Kevin Atherton. There are many symbols of peace throughout the garden, including a wrought iron garden depicting doves and olive branches. 

8. Archway station

Final stop on this route is at Archway station, where the Archway Tavern sits. The site has housed pubs since the 1700s, with the current building being built in 1888. At one point, a cable car service up Highgate Hill terminated outside the tavern.

Altogether some interesting places on this route, with lots of outside spaces to explore and some fascinating sculptures and graffiti en route.

Toilets that are free and available on this route:

• Forks & Green café in Downhills Park
• Archway Tavern at Archway