Guidebook for London
Essentials
Co-op Food
116-118 Pitshanger LnDrinks & Nightlife
One of the Real Pubs stable, the Oxford is clearly thriving, packed out on a Sunday lunchtime with big parties enjoying hearty roasts or choosing from a menu of posh gastropub fare. Dark grey walls, dark wood furniture and a dramatic oversized chandelier add up to a stylish interior.
35 locals recommend
The Oxford Tavern
256 Kentish Town RdOne of the Real Pubs stable, the Oxford is clearly thriving, packed out on a Sunday lunchtime with big parties enjoying hearty roasts or choosing from a menu of posh gastropub fare. Dark grey walls, dark wood furniture and a dramatic oversized chandelier add up to a stylish interior.
So great is Kentish Town’s love of the Pineapple that when the pub was threatened with redevelopment into flats in 2002, locals started a campaign to save it – and got the place listed by English Heritage in just eight days. This backstreet boozer dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, and you can feel the history in the weathered wood of the joyously unmodernised main bar. There’s also a conservatory at the back, and outdoor tables when the weather’s good. The Pineapple hosts a variety of special events, including semi-annual beer festivals, but it’s at its best on an ordinary weekend, when the locals crowd in for a pint and a gab-fest. And there’s cheap Thai food if you want to settle in for the long haul.
92 locals recommend
The Pineapple
53 Hercules RdSo great is Kentish Town’s love of the Pineapple that when the pub was threatened with redevelopment into flats in 2002, locals started a campaign to save it – and got the place listed by English Heritage in just eight days. This backstreet boozer dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, and you can feel the history in the weathered wood of the joyously unmodernised main bar. There’s also a conservatory at the back, and outdoor tables when the weather’s good. The Pineapple hosts a variety of special events, including semi-annual beer festivals, but it’s at its best on an ordinary weekend, when the locals crowd in for a pint and a gab-fest. And there’s cheap Thai food if you want to settle in for the long haul.
Built in 1934 and nestled in Kentish Town, The Forum is a beautiful art deco building that has played host to some of the music industry’s biggest names since becoming a live music venue in the 1980s. With a capacity of 2,300, The Forum has seen performances by the likes of Rihanna, Kiss, Justin Timberlake, The Killers, Jack White, Noel Gallagher, Bobby Womack, Amy Winehouse, Rancid and tonnes more. As well as putting on live music events The Forum has also been the backdrop for movies and commercials as well as host to various club nights put on by the likes of Ed Banger Records & Guilty Pleasures.
57 locals recommend
O2 Forum Kentish Town
9-17 Highgate RdBuilt in 1934 and nestled in Kentish Town, The Forum is a beautiful art deco building that has played host to some of the music industry’s biggest names since becoming a live music venue in the 1980s. With a capacity of 2,300, The Forum has seen performances by the likes of Rihanna, Kiss, Justin Timberlake, The Killers, Jack White, Noel Gallagher, Bobby Womack, Amy Winehouse, Rancid and tonnes more. As well as putting on live music events The Forum has also been the backdrop for movies and commercials as well as host to various club nights put on by the likes of Ed Banger Records & Guilty Pleasures.
Parks & Nature
Famous for its iconic views over London, Parliament Hill is capable of reviving even the most jaded Londoner, and on a clear day, you'll have to tiptoe over tourists and locals lounging on the grass and admiring landmarks (The Gherkin, St Paul's) among the numerous tower blocks. Originally a point of defence during the English Civil War, it was named after the troops loyal to Parliament and was often referred to as Traitor's Hill. More recently, the land (occupying a south eastern spot within Hampstead Heath) was used to rear livestock for Smithfield Market (until the 1940s), as well as a sportsground for cross-country, a film location and a popular place to fly kites. The surrounding Parliament Fields also play host to a regular farmers' market and house a public lido. Parliament Hill sports a state-of-the-art adventure playground, still looking spanking new after its award-winning refurb. The imaginative equipment is designed to challenge children rather than keep them boringly safe, and there’s also a huge and popular paddling pool.
90 locals recommend
Parliament Hill Viewpoint
Famous for its iconic views over London, Parliament Hill is capable of reviving even the most jaded Londoner, and on a clear day, you'll have to tiptoe over tourists and locals lounging on the grass and admiring landmarks (The Gherkin, St Paul's) among the numerous tower blocks. Originally a point of defence during the English Civil War, it was named after the troops loyal to Parliament and was often referred to as Traitor's Hill. More recently, the land (occupying a south eastern spot within Hampstead Heath) was used to rear livestock for Smithfield Market (until the 1940s), as well as a sportsground for cross-country, a film location and a popular place to fly kites. The surrounding Parliament Fields also play host to a regular farmers' market and house a public lido. Parliament Hill sports a state-of-the-art adventure playground, still looking spanking new after its award-winning refurb. The imaginative equipment is designed to challenge children rather than keep them boringly safe, and there’s also a huge and popular paddling pool.
Entertainment & Activities
Built in 1938 and refurbished in 2005, the Grade II-listed Parliament Hill Lido measures a generous 60 metres by 28 metres. It has a stainless steel pool liner (the only one in an outdoor pool in the UK) which gives the water a metallic shimmer – not that you'll be able to tell when it's packed full of people on a sunny day. The lido is unheated, but wetsuits are permitted at the lifeguard’s discretion. There are two sessions a day (7-9am and 10am-6pm) with an additional adults-only evening session on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. There's a paddling pool for under-fives and a cafe.
46 locals recommend
Parliament Hill Fields Lido
Gordon House RoadBuilt in 1938 and refurbished in 2005, the Grade II-listed Parliament Hill Lido measures a generous 60 metres by 28 metres. It has a stainless steel pool liner (the only one in an outdoor pool in the UK) which gives the water a metallic shimmer – not that you'll be able to tell when it's packed full of people on a sunny day. The lido is unheated, but wetsuits are permitted at the lifeguard’s discretion. There are two sessions a day (7-9am and 10am-6pm) with an additional adults-only evening session on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. There's a paddling pool for under-fives and a cafe.
Getting Around
Kentish Town Station
Kentish Town RoadChalk Farm station
Adelaide RoadFood Scene
'The Fields Beneath' is a classic about Kentish Town local history written by long-time resident Gillian Tindall, and the name is appropriate for this coffee bar: TFB has a real neighbourhood feel. It isn’t surprising that K-Towners have taken to it enthusiastically since it opened late in 2012. The place is tiny, with just four tables but ample space for the takeaway crowd (many emanating from the Overground station next door).
TFB originally bought beans from a variety of roasters, but early in 2015 switched to roasting its own in collaboration with Coffee by Tate, with guest suppliers including Roundhill and Red Brick. It has always been of high quality, both in beans and in brewing. But you could easily come here just for the food. A monster cookie, dense with dark chocolate, was sublime and sizeable. Current offerings include a vegan dhal, and excellent baked goods are provided by the owner's mother.
34 locals recommend
The Fields Beneath
52a Prince of Wales Rd'The Fields Beneath' is a classic about Kentish Town local history written by long-time resident Gillian Tindall, and the name is appropriate for this coffee bar: TFB has a real neighbourhood feel. It isn’t surprising that K-Towners have taken to it enthusiastically since it opened late in 2012. The place is tiny, with just four tables but ample space for the takeaway crowd (many emanating from the Overground station next door).
TFB originally bought beans from a variety of roasters, but early in 2015 switched to roasting its own in collaboration with Coffee by Tate, with guest suppliers including Roundhill and Red Brick. It has always been of high quality, both in beans and in brewing. But you could easily come here just for the food. A monster cookie, dense with dark chocolate, was sublime and sizeable. Current offerings include a vegan dhal, and excellent baked goods are provided by the owner's mother.
Deep-fried risotto balls are the stars here, but breakfast, sandwiches and great coffee all play their part at this Kentish Town favourite.
The bricks-and-mortar location of marketeers Arancini Bros is an affable retro caff decked with boxes of the day’s fresh produce. From the open kitchen at the rear come arancini (Sicilian-style deep-fried risotto balls) served plain, with salad, in tortilla wraps, or accompanied by a hot stew. There are other options too, like poached eggs on toast for breakfast, and Aussie-themed open sandwiches such as banana with bacon and cheese. We like the homely muffins (carrot and honey, for example) displayed with other cakes by the coffee machine, which turns out good lattes, flat whites and so on – you don’t have to like arancini to feel comfortable here. Many do opt for the main product, though, and on our latest visit these were much improved on the time before: light creamy balls with a thin crust. Also enjoyable was the accompanying chickpea and mediterranean veg stew. Note there’s a little garden eating area at the back of the property.
25 locals recommend
Arancini Factory Cafe
115A Kentish Town RdDeep-fried risotto balls are the stars here, but breakfast, sandwiches and great coffee all play their part at this Kentish Town favourite.
The bricks-and-mortar location of marketeers Arancini Bros is an affable retro caff decked with boxes of the day’s fresh produce. From the open kitchen at the rear come arancini (Sicilian-style deep-fried risotto balls) served plain, with salad, in tortilla wraps, or accompanied by a hot stew. There are other options too, like poached eggs on toast for breakfast, and Aussie-themed open sandwiches such as banana with bacon and cheese. We like the homely muffins (carrot and honey, for example) displayed with other cakes by the coffee machine, which turns out good lattes, flat whites and so on – you don’t have to like arancini to feel comfortable here. Many do opt for the main product, though, and on our latest visit these were much improved on the time before: light creamy balls with a thin crust. Also enjoyable was the accompanying chickpea and mediterranean veg stew. Note there’s a little garden eating area at the back of the property.