Area guide to Hornsey

Actor Mecia Simson is best known for her role as an elven sorceress in Netflix’s The Witcher. She tells Emma Magnus about the magic of Hornsey

2023-05-31 -

Imoved to London 13 years ago, and have lived all over it. While I was studying at drama school I was based in Tooting, then fancied a change and wanted to go somewhere greener — in the past three years I’ve fallen for the areas around Crouch End and Hornsey. There’s such a nice community here, it’s become my favourite part of London.

EATING AND DRINKING

There’s a place called Kervan Sofrasi on Wood Green High Road. It’s a Turkish restaurant and it’s food is delicious — it’s one of my favourites. I order from there a lot too since it’s so easy.

The Victoria Stakes pub on Muswell Hill is really cool. It’s got a nice atmosphere, and there’s a good outdoor-indoor drinking area. It does the best Sunday roast.

There’s a Farmers’ Market at Ally Pally on a Sunday — I go to a family-run stall called Bokit’la, which sells French Caribbean street food. Bokit is a type of sandwich from Guadeloupe, made with fresh fried dough and packed with different fillings. The guys there are amazing, and the food’s delicious.

Coffee-wise, there’s a cool place right by Hornsey station on Tottenham Lane called 1 to 3 Coffee. Perfect positioning. It’s only open in the mornings, so you can grab it on your commute. But by the afternoon, it’s gone.

WHERE I WORK OUT

I’ve got a gym where I live, so I use that a lot. I’ve got a Soho House membership, so I’ll use the White City gym to make the most of it. It’s quite far, but it’s like a little day out. They’ve got a swimming pool and steam room, so if I feel like a more luxurious workout, I’ll go there.

TO COMMUNE WITH NATURE

Hampstead Heath is my favourite place. I’ve been in London for 13 years, and never really understood what it was all about until I moved to north London. It’s really magical. I like to use the Ladies Pond, and chill out there in the summer. It feels closer to the country. I’m a country girl, so it’s the best place for me.

Ally Pally is also close by. If I need a breather, I’ll go there. Because it’s so big, it helps you to get rid of the city. If I haven’t got much time, I’ll go to Ally Pally; if I’ve got a few hours, I’ll go to Hampstead Heath. It’s about a 45-minute walk.

GROCERY SHOPPING

I get Gousto boxes. I just cook for myself, so I get 10 meals for about £50 a week. It’s so good. For little bits, I’ll go to the huge Sainsbury’s on Hornsey High Road or Waitrose on Crouch End Broadway. There’s the farmers’ market too.

FOR A CULTURE FIX

I like going to the Picturehouse on Tottenham Lane in Crouch End. It’s a good space. I’ve recently discovered Sofar Sounds — they do secret gigs all over London. You never know where it’s going to be until the day before, when they also reveal the artist. That’s my new thing.

Books-wise, we’ve got a Waterstones in Crouch End. My favourite bookstore is Foyles on Charing Cross Road, though.

GETTING AROUND

People always think this part of London is so far away. Actually, it only takes about 25 minutes to get to Oxford Circus. We’ve got Turnpike Lane, which is on the Piccadilly line. I can get to Holborn in 20 minutes from there.

To get to east London quickly, you can use Hornsey rail station. It’s around 16 minutes to Old Street, and then a 10-minute walk to Shoreditch.

DREAM STREET

Park Avenue North. I love being near greenery, and it’s very close to Alexandra Palace, so it’s a good location. It’s a got a communal, family feel with old Victorian houses, like a lot of other streets here. It’s quiet and feels quite peaceful.

SOMETHING YOU ONLY SEE IN HORNSEY

St Mary’s church tower on Hornsey High Street. It’s been there since the 13th century, which is crazy. It used to be part of St Mary’s Church, which is first mentioned in official records from 1291. I love history, and I had no idea.