North London is the host with the most - with an array of amenities, leafy parks, and diversity in housing, affording those interested in joining the property ladder an abundance of choices.
North London extends from Clerkenwell and Finsbury, up to Enfield and the furthest reaches of Greater London’s northern border with Hertfordshire, but we’re going to focus on Edgware, Woodberry Down, and Hackney. Each of these areas are greatly appealing for first-time buyers, all sharing richly diverse communities and cultural landscapes, an abundance of itinerary-filling activities, and fantastic transport links.
Living in Woodberry Down
Nestled between Finsbury Park and Stamford Hill, and overlooking the tranquil Woodberry Wetlands, Woodberry Down is one of the most exciting new residential areas in North London.
Located in zone 2, its occupants can make the most of its relaxing scenic views, while simultaneously being a stone’s throw from all the action of the city.
Your commute from Woodberry Down
The nearest tube stop is Manor House, a 4-minute walk from Woodbury Down. King’s Cross is a mere five stops away on the Piccadilly line, giving you swift and easy access to the rest of London, the UK, and Europe. For other national rail lines and the London Overground, Finsbury Park station is a single tube stop, four-minute drive, six-minute cycle, or under 20-minute walk away.
Things to do in Woodberry Down
Being so close to central London, the city is your oyster – you’re a 20 minute tube from London’s West End, where you can enjoy an endless variety of world-class shows and entertainment. Popular areas Stoke Newington, Islington, Highgate, and central Hackney are just a short tube or bus ride away. Staying active is effortless too, with The Castle Climbing Centre and the West Reservoir Centre – a sports facility that offers sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming all nearby.
West Reservoir Centre
Excellent and locally treasured North London pubs include The Faltering Fullback, The Finsbury, and The Auld Shillelagh, to name just a few. And the food scene is equally brilliant, with much-loved local restaurants like JOJO’s Kitchen, Jolene Hornsey Road, and Sublime Pizzeria & Bar.
Woodberry Wetlands
Opened by Sir David Attenborough in 2016 and featured on BBC Springwatch, these wetlands – located at the base of the Woodberry Down – are a free wildlife reserve, managed by the London Wildlife Trust.
This peaceful haven, close to the city’s centre, is teaming with life. Visitors can find enchanting species not commonly associated with London, such as the kingfisher, the great crested grebe, or the holly blue butterfly.
Gadwall Quarter at Woodberry Down
Heron Quarter, our previous phase of apartments within the heart of Woodberry Down, and the winner of five awards, including London Evening Standard Best Large Development and the British Homes Award. Reflecting their natural surroundings, each property exudes calm and has been designed to showcase the abundant natural light with large, floor to ceiling windows and a private outdoor space.
We also offer shared ownership on apartments with our latest phase of homes within the area 'Gadwall Quarter', so those who might otherwise not be able to buy a property in North London, let alone a flat in zone 2, can turn their dreams into a reality.
Living in Edgware
Edgware is a small town that sits on the borough borders of Barnet and Harrow. Residents benefit from an easy commute into Central London, whilst enjoying the more peaceful trappings of suburban living, such as plentiful green spaces and high-performing schools.
Your commute from Edgware
Those travelling to the city can do so quickly and efficiently, with Euston only 26 minutes away on the underground and Leicester Square 30 minutes away. Edgware stations Hendon and Mill Hill Broadway are connected by the Thameslink service and therefore provide an invaluable 24-hour service to cover overtime spent in the office or elsewhere.
Mill Hill Broadway Bus Station serves 10 bus routes.
Things to do in Edgware
Within the community, you’ll find many festivals, fetes, and celebrations throughout the year, like the multi-faith Winter Festival and the Edgware Community Carnival – a showcase of live music, local food, workshops, and fun for all ages. Head to High Living Barnet for more information on upcoming events within the community and surrounding areas.
There’s an excellent range of things to do in Edgware, with activities and amenities to cater for all needs.
Days off can be spent learning how to rock climb at the Arch Climbing Wall, taking in the astounding history of flight at the Royal Air Force Museum, or catching the latest blockbuster at Vue Cinema.
There are great parks, too. Edgwarebury Park, for example, is 22 hectares of green space, equipped with sports facilities, a café, a playground, and ornamental gardens.
Heybourne Park
Our new development, Heybourne Park, in partnership with Barnet Council, is a short walk from Burnt Oak tube station and Mill Hill Broadway. Residents experience a revitalised neighbourhood, with luscious green spaces, an outdoor gym, library, supermarkets, and a café at their doorstep. Find out more about Heybourne Park.
We provide first-time buyers at Heybourne Park the option of Shared Ownership, so those who thought it was an unattainable prospect to buy a flat in North London can call a home their own. Keep reading to find out more about Shared Ownership.
Living in Hackney
With its enviable selection of restaurants, bars, galleries, and creative spirit, it’s no wonder Hackney is one of the most sought-after boroughs in London. The area offers arts, culture, and entertainment in droves, bringing its locals exciting experiences with each new day. Known as one of London’s fastest growing boroughs, Hackney attracts individuals from all corners of the world to get stuck into its vibrant way of urban life.
Your commute from Hackney
Although there are few underground stations in Hackney, its many overground stations and vast network of bus routes keep it well-connected. With parts of the borough in zone 1 and rest in zone 2, it is also incredibly central. National Rail stations, Old Street, Liverpool Street, and Stratford are just at its periphery too, which provide services to the rest of the country. And King’s Cross, which offers international services, is just next door.
Things to do in Hackney
The borough contains the regular big brands such as Urban Outfitters and All Saints, but what makes Hackney special is its vintage shops and boutiques. In Brick Lane and its surrounding area you’ll find pre-loved pieces in shops like Beyond Retro and Beyond Retro. You can find smaller boutiques with clothes from up-and-coming designers in BOXPARK and along Redchurch Street.
Boxpark, Shoreditch
Hackney’s art scene is also thriving, with galleries like Whitechapel Gallery, Jealous Gallery & Print Studio, and Parasol Unit leading the cultural charge. For entertainment, Hackney is home to the Hackney Empire and the Arcola Theatre, two renowned London theatres, famous for their new writing. There are also multiple cinemas around the borough showcasing the latest blockbusters.
Hackney’s food scene is also flourishing. There are Michelin star holding restaurants like The Clove Club, Cornerstone, or Behind Restaurant. But if you’re looking for something more casual, Voodoo Ray’s offers deliciously enormous pizza by the slice. Regular food festivals and markets also spring up throughout the year offering something for even the pickiest of eaters – look out for Night Tales, Urban Food Fest, or Dinerama.
We would need a whole website to fit all the exciting things to do in Hackney, but Secret London has created a wonderful list of their top ten.
Hackney Yards
A development coming soon offering apartments in the thick of the action, right next to Hackney Wick train station. Watch this space for more information.
We will be offering Shared Ownership for properties in Hackney Yards, find out more below.
Shared Ownership in North London
Most London homebuyers are eligible for Shared Ownership and don’t even realise. You could be one of them. Shared Ownership in Hackney, Edgware, and Woodberry Down makes owning a home in a coveted location in the capital possible.
Shared Ownership is a government-backed scheme that helps first-time buyers get onto the property ladder by enabling the purchase of a share of a property instead of the whole thing. This doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to reach full ownership though. You still take out a mortgage and pay monthly instalments and the remaining shares belong to a housing association, not to another individual, to whom you’ll pay subsidised monthly payments. You’ve then got the option of purchasing more shares or the whole property in the future – this is known as staircasing.
Shared Ownership Eligibility
Shared Ownership is for first-time buyers, or those that have previously owned but no longer do. You must be over 18 and have a maximum household income of £90,000 if you’re purchasing within London.
Find out more about Shared Ownership Eligibility
Shared Ownership Process
You put an initial reservation fee down to show early commitment, following which an affordability check will be carried out by the housing association to determine how many shares you’ll be able to buy. From there, the process is very similar to getting a mortgage. You can begin staircasing as soon as you move in, buying a minimum of 10% of shares at a time or as much as the entire remaining property.
To find out more about Shared Ownership in North London, including selling a Shared Ownership property, as well as maintenance agreements, read our comprehensive guide.
