London is packed with neighborhoods that feel like destinations in their own right, but one corner of north London has earned particular recognition in 2026.

Crouch End has been included among the best places to live in the UK, according to lifestyle publication Muddy Stilettos and its annual Best Places to Live guide.

The 2026 selection features 260 locations from around the country, ranging from bustling towns to much smaller communities. Eight London neighborhoods made the list, with Crouch End standing out as one of the capital’s most appealing places to call home.

Why Crouch End is so popular

Located in the London Borough of Haringey, Crouch End combines the advantages of London life with an atmosphere that can feel surprisingly removed from the capital's center.

Rather than high-rise buildings and hectic streets, visitors will find handsome period homes, independent businesses, local pubs and restaurants, along with plenty of greenery within easy reach.

At the heart of the neighborhood stands its distinctive 19th-century clock tower, one of Crouch End’s best-known landmarks.

Muddy Stilettos highlighted the area's relaxed character, comparing its atmosphere more closely to that of a market town than a typical city neighborhood.

Crouch End has also attracted its share of famous residents over the years, with names including Alan Carr, David Tennant, Katherine Ryan and Simon Pegg associated with the area.

A London neighborhood without a Tube station

One unusual feature of Crouch End is that it doesn’t have its own London Underground station.

That might sound like a disadvantage for anyone accustomed to choosing where to live in London based on the nearest Tube line. Still, it helps Crouch End maintain its more secluded, village-like character.

Highgate Underground station is about a 20-minute walk away, while nearby Crouch Hill railway station offers another public transport option, including connections to central London.

Green spaces, independent businesses and period homes

Another major attraction is the neighborhood's proximity to Alexandra Palace, giving residents easy access to one of north London’s best-known green spaces and entertainment destinations.

Back in Crouch End itself, independent shops sit alongside cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars, helping give the neighborhood a strong local identity.

Architecture is another part of its appeal. Victorian and Edwardian properties can be found throughout the area, although living here comes at a considerable price.

According to the figures cited in the ranking, the average flat in Crouch End costs around £552,331, while the average semi-detached property reaches approximately £1,447,756.

Those prices put the neighborhood beyond many budgets, but they also underline just how sought-after this pocket of north London has become.

The eight London areas named among the best places to live

Crouch End wasn't the capital's only representative in the 2026 guide. Eight London locations were included:

Crouch End

De Beauvoir Town

Greenwich

Herne Hill

Teddington

Walthamstow

Wandsworth

Wimbledon

For travelers, Crouch End may not have the instant international recognition of Westminster, Camden or Notting Hill, but that is part of its charm.

With leafy streets, attractive period architecture, independent places to eat and drink, and Alexandra Palace nearby, it offers visitors an opportunity to experience a quieter and more residential side of London — and, according to the latest ranking, one of the UK's most desirable places to live.