Turnpike Lane
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Turnpike Lane is the name of a shopping street located in Hornsey, in the London Borough of Haringey. The area surrounding Turnpike Lane tube station is also colloquially referred to as Turnpike Lane and comprises the postcodes N8 and N22. The grand Edwardian tree lined square outside the station is known as Ducketts Common.
Turnpike Lane runs less than 1km from Hornsey railway station to Turnpike Lane tube station and the junction with Green Lanes. It sits adjacent to Hornsey, Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Alexandra Park, Harringay and Wood Green. Turnpike Lane is undergoing a transformation with new cafes and restaurants catering to a growing influx of young professionals and arty types attracted to its excellent transport links and period properties, as well as its cafes, restaurants and two cinemas, and its attractive green spaces.
The frequent Picadilly Line serves both Central London and Heathrow.
The property in the area is mainly Edwardian and Victorian, mainly bay windowed substansial houses and cosy artisan cottages.
There are over 150 artists & media studios and workshops at the Chocolate Factory ( former home of Barratts Confectionery ), and also Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts , a world famous acting school with strong links to both theatre, TV and cinema.
The Wood Green Film Festival is in its 5th year and is growing in success and recognition as a premier arts event in London, showing short British, Irish and International Films, as well as discussion groups and workshops for both established and up and coming filmakers.
REM's early album Fables of the Reconstruction and the Smiths Panic, were both recorded in Wood Green.
By day, Turnpike Lane itself is a congested, busy shopping street. Kurdish, Greek, and Asian -owned shops compete aggressively with each other and with the big brand shops, and remain open until late at night. By evening there are some nice award winning restaurants, including Malaysian, Greek, Indian, Kurdish, Turkish, Chinese, Thai, Lebanese, and continental as well as smaller cafes catering to all budgets.
Off Turnpike Lane and Westbury Avenue there are attractive tree lined Edwardian Roads, with green spaces such as Belmont and the lovely Downhills Park ( which has recently won a Green Flag, due to efforts of local residents). Alexandra Palace is a short walk.
Somewhat neglected in the past - compared to other areas of Haringey, the area is expecting funding from Haringey council for ongoing regeneration projects, which will have a positive impact on the area. As part of the Wood Green area, it is one of ten major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. Ducketts Common may be renovated to a smart area including cafes, art galleries and boutique shops to counterbalance the hustle and bustle of the high street. Local community groups are trying to ensure that all work is done tastefully, to a high standard and in a reasonable time frame. The traffic congestion on both Turnpike Lane and Wood Green High Road needs to be resolved and better cycle lanes need to be provided. NotNewNotRiver has become a visitors' hotspot in the area and tourists from around London come at weekends to take photographs and collect seashells.
Famous people associated with Turnpike Lane / Wood Green to name but a few:
- Mark Knopfler ( Dire Straits )
- Moby
- Paul Kossoff ( Free )
- Sade
- David Kossoff Actor
- Jona Lewie
- Belle and Sebastian
- Jo Brand ( Comedian )
- Johnny Borrell ( Razorlight )
- Mike Leigh
- Alison Steadman
- Jack Hawkins ( Actor )
- Morecambe and Wise
- Eight Legs
Nearby places:
- Wood Green
- Manor House and Harringay
- Alexandra Palace
- Crouch End
- Harringay
- Tottenham
- Finsbury Park
- Hackney
Notable Appearances:
- Nick Hornby's book, High Fidelity
