A day IN HIGHBURY

LEAF, LAUGH, LOVE North London locals take advantage of Highbury Fields' verdant expanse for daily workouts, leisurely walks, weekend coffee catch-ups and sun-soaked summer picnics

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9AM

Morning walk

Start the day with a brisk walk through Highbury Fields passing by the tennis courts and Clock Tower, a landmark built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Reward yourself with a trip to Japanese cafe Kissa Wa on Corsica Street, for a selection of Japanese teas or a matcha latte

11AM

Find your flow

With spring round the corner, start the new season in Strek yoga studio (strek.co.uk) on Cobble Lane. The light and leafy space is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city living. Ranging from beginner or ‘slow flow ’ classes to experienced known as ‘ power ’ classes, all are welcome.

1.30PM

Brunch

Stop by Café Beam (cafebeam.co.uk) on Blackstock Road for dishes inspired by their Middle Eastern heritage. Find shakshuka and Beam Benedict, a take on the classic with a shawarma spiced patty, homemade pickled cabbage and harissa hollandaise. Wander up the road to Highbury Barn, the heart of the village, to sample fine artisan cheeses and wine at local favourite La Fromagerie (lafromagerie.co.uk). There ’s a small cafe with a few seats outside, or you can book in for its popular Friday Night fondue. On the other side of the road, the family-run Godfreys butcher has been serving the area since 1905.

3PM

Derby day

Home to Emirates Stadium, no trip to Highbury is complete without experiencing match day at the home of Arsenal football club on Hornsey Road, adjacent to Highbury Square. The next game is a London a air between Arsenal and Chelsea on the 29 April (arsenal.com).

7.30 PM

Stage lights abigailahern.com

Home to many famous actors, Highbury is full of artistic links. At the Almeida Theatre (almeida. co.uk), see recognisable faces and future stars perform in shows such as Women, Beware the Devil and The Secret Life of Bees, which begins its run there on 8 April.

"I love the area where I live and work! It feels community-led, peppered with beautiful independent stores and has an incredible arty vibe. I’m a real foodie and there are some amazing places to eat and drink. Jolene Bakery on Colebrook Row is right next to my store – the sourdough is to die for! I love Pacific Wines on Islington High Street, Katsute 100, an amazing Japanese tea room, and Noci on Upper Street has a laidback Italian vibe. There are so many interesting independent stores (and my own!). I love meandering along Camden Passage, especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the market stalls are out. I stock up on my creative supplies at Cass Art.

Westerns Laundry

Drayton Park

Located in a former commercial laundrette, Westerns Laundry is a Michelin Bib Gourmand that opened in 2018. Written on a chalkboard are seasonal menus of the day, which are inspired by classic British dishes with European flair. westernslaundry.com

FARANG

Highbury Park

The highly popular award-winning Thai restaurant, founded by Sebby Holmes, showcases the best of Thai and British produce. Dishes, including aromatic coconut curry of tiger prawns, gai prik and turmeric and roasted garlic butter roti, are designed to share. For a truly spoiling experience, try their feasting menu. faranglondon.co.uk

Top Cuv E

177B Blackstock Road

A stroll away from their sister shop Shop

Cuvée, Top Cuvée serves small plates, perfect for sharing after a long day to accompany natural, organic wines. The relaxed atmosphere makes it an N5 favourite. Nibble on anchovies, saucisson, oysters, mussels, skate wings and good cheeses. topcuvee.com

FOOD & DRINK

Trullo

300-302 St Paul's Road

North London’s answer to the River Cafe, the Italian-inspired menu changes daily. Diners can expect fresh hand-made pasta, rolled minutes before serving. The beef shin ragu, cooked for eight hours, is not to be missed. trullorestaurant.co.uk

FRANK'S CANTEEN

86 Highbury Park

Delicious all-day cafe dining, with a no-laptops-over-lunch rule, between 12-3pm. Choose from fried chicken foccacia, kedgeree, roast pork belly flatbread or just a really good pre-match bacon bap. frankscanteen.com

VALDERRAMA'S

163 Upper Street

Named after the ’ 90s Colombian football captain Carlos Valderrama, the sports bar is inspired by his creative playing style. The menu is based on Great British Menu winner James Cochran’s Around the Cluck concept – his take on fried-chicken burgers. Surrounded by bright retro interiors, find specially commissioned murals that celebrate the beautiful game. valderramas.co.uk

Schools

Highbury parents would be wise to do their research, as the fortunes of schools can change. Gillespie Primary School, on Gillespie Road (gillespie.islington.sch.uk) has been quietly improving in the last 20 years and is now popular with local families, pushing house prices up in the catchment area. St John’s Highbury Vale CE (stjhv.islington.sch.uk), in the shadows of the old Highbury stadium, used to be oversubscribed, but now struggles to keep numbers up, especially in the upper years, when families move out of London or go

Highbury Highlights

Top to bottom: ; Trullo 's famed beef shin ragu; Top Cuvée is a neighbourhood favourite for vino; enjoy footballinspired eats at Valderrama's.

private. William Tyndale on Upper Street and Canonbury School are popular with the Islington set. At secondary level, the private North Bridge House Senior Canonbury (northbridgehouse.com) takes ages 11-18, inset, while Liverpool Road's St Mary Magdalene Academy is now attracting kids that would have traditionally gone private. Other options include private schools such as Highgate (highgateschool. org.uk), City (cityoflondonschool.org.uk) and Forest (forest.org.uk), or grammar schools to the north, Dame Alice Owen and Latymer