Welcome This week we've got a great roundup of Finchley coffee shops to enjoy in the sun, and local news about shops opening, closing and road resurfacing. Don't say we don't live on the edge. ☕ 8 Coffee Spots for Sunny Sips Photo: Al Farel Ghazali Sunny weather across Finchley is perfect for sipping a refreshing (ice) coffee and taking in the surrounding scene. Here's your guide to 8 must-visit coffee sanctuaries in Finchley and the surrounding area. Finchley Central 1: Tintico, 2–4 Station...
13 days ago • 7 min read
Welcome This week we've got a deep dive into the history of College Farm, avoiding road rage on Regents Park Road and ... Mr Finchley. 🐄3 Moo-velous Facts About College Farm College Farm Victorian buildings You’ve probably seen College Farm – on Regents Park Road, between Fitzalan Road and Allandale Avenue. Now a conservation area and the location of a saddlery and pet supplies outlet it is run by the College Farm Trust . College Farm is currently not open to members of the public, and a...
20 days ago • 6 min read
Welcome This week Camden unveils a new musuem of Brutalist architecture (doubling as a school hall), and we check out an Olympic gold medallist Finchleyite. 👷♀️ Concrete Culture Comes to Camden Students at Acland Burghley school fundraising walk Concrete lovers, rejoice: Camden’s Acland Burghley School Assembly Hall, a 1968, Grade II-listed Brutalist landmark, is being re-cast as London’s first Museum of Brutalist Architecture. Architects Reed Watts will peel back every layer of paint next...
27 days ago • 7 min read
Welcome This week we've got Finchley film history, the Naked Lady, and some building news, 🎥Finchley: Where Film First Flickered Who knew that Finchley and Barnet have a rich cinematic history - first motion picture, creation of the first movie camera? Finchley is truly the local area that keeps on giving. Britain’s first motion picture Incident at Clovelly Cottage is considered the first British commercial film – only a few frames have survived. Shot by Birt Acres in 1895 outside his home at...
about 1 month ago • 7 min read
Welcome Hot on the heels of last week’s hidden green spots, we’ve explored the power of trees with local(ish) urban orchards and tiny forests. Plus - more about art in Barnet. 🌳 3 Urban Orchards + Tiny Forests Juicy fruits | Image Skylar Zilka Birmingham may have more miles of canal than Venice, but the borough of Barnet has the most tree cover in all of London. The borough of Barnet significantly contributes to the natural green space and canopy cover of Greater London. Barnet has an...
about 1 month ago • 7 min read
Welcome This week we explore some quiet spaces to wander in Finchley, and hear about Women Guild's force of nature. Plus some good news for wifi on the tube. And Sasha's basil. 🌿 5 Quiet Retreats We Love Finchley Way Open Space | Image from Friends Of Finchley Way Open Space Need to escape the busy High Road for a breath of fresh air? You might be surprised by just how many tranquil corners Finchley has tucked away - often hiding in plain sight. These 5 under-the-radar green spots are made...
about 2 months ago • 7 min read
Welcome This week we've got a full Kings Birthday Honours lowdown, plus insights on how Finchley got its name. Plus a cool new walk, and Barnet Climate Action Month. Plus happy birthday this week to longtime reader Marilyn K. 🌟King Recognises 15 Local Stars Antony Gormley with works from his “Beamers” series. Courtesy Sean Kelly Gallery Finchley proudly celebrates its local heroes recognised in the recent King’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding contributions to community. We’ve done...
about 2 months ago • 7 min read
Welcome It's a celebratory week at Finchley Now Towers - on Thursday we welcomed our 3,000th subscriber! Hello Antoaneta - and all our of our readers. We write this newsletter because we love community and we love Finchley. This week we've got wild swimming and a the UK's first (Finchleyite) female train driver. 🏊♀ Dip In: 4 Wild Swim Gems Take the plunge and cool down. Image Mateusz Dach It’s crazy hot. Fancy a cold plunge? Maybe time to consider wild swimming (if you haven’t already)....
2 months ago • 7 min read
Welcome This week we've got a great antidote to hot weather, and a little insight into the Finchley-connected founder of the Pearly Kings and Queens. Special thanks to readers Mark and Julia for the heads-up on great topics to explore. You can email us if you've got anything you think we should write about. 🏄♀6 Finchleyish Watersports Spots Great way to cool down Image: Jeremy Bishop Hot weather makes you think one thing – where can I get in the water? Whether you’re looking for sailing,...
2 months ago • 7 min read