Living in Highbury
Highbury, nestled in North London’s N5 postcode, offers a charming blend of historical architecture, green spaces, and excellent connectivity, making it a highly desirable neighbourhood for families and professionals alike.
Architectural Landscape
Highbury's architecture is defined by an eclectic mix of period properties and modern developments, reflecting its growth from the Victorian era to the present. Notable styles include:
Victorian Terraces: These elegant homes feature decorative brickwork, bay windows, and intricate ironwork. Highbury Hill showcases many fine examples, with homes exuding period charm and character.
Georgian Houses: Found along Highbury Place, these stately homes are known for their symmetrical facades, sash windows, and elegant proportions, reflecting 18th-century sophistication.
1960s Local Authority Blocks: These buildings, often located near Blackstock Road and Gillespie Road, are typically constructed with cavity brick walls and offer practical living spaces with good durability. Managed by Islington Council, these properties provide an affordable entry point with limited maintenance responsibilities.
The area's conservation status helps preserve its architectural integrity, ensuring developments remain sympathetic to Highbury’s character.
Highbury Offers a Variety of Green Spaces
Clissold Park: This 54-acre park features playgrounds, tennis courts, a café, and a deer enclosure, making it ideal for families and nature enthusiasts.
Highbury Fields: The largest open space in Islington, offering 29 acres of parkland, sports facilities, and scenic walking paths. The Georgian terraces surrounding the fields add to the area’s historical charm.
Gillespie Park: A 2.8-hectare nature reserve near Arsenal Station, offering peaceful trails, ponds, and diverse wildlife.
Transportation
Highbury boasts excellent connectivity with Zone 2 transport links:
Highbury & Islington Station: Provides access to the Victoria Line, London Overground, and National Rail services, offering swift connections to Central London.
Arsenal Station: Served by the Piccadilly Line, providing easy access to the West End and Heathrow Airport.
Buses: Frequent services along Blackstock Road and Holloway Road ensure convenient travel across North London.
Property Market Overview
As of November 2024, Highbury's property market reflects its central location and enduring appeal. The average property price is £781,000, with flats selling for an average of £610,000 and terraced houses averaging £1,265,000. This represents a 4% decrease from the previous year; however, prices remain 6% higher than the 2021 peak of £735,000.
Two-bedroom flats in Highbury are currently priced around £650,000, a slight decrease from last year’s £675,000, but still above the 2021 average of £620,000. Terraced houses, particularly three to four-bedroom homes, maintain strong demand, with average prices at £1.27 million.
Comparisons to Nearby Areas
Finsbury Park: The average property price is £658,000, with flats averaging £552,000 and terraced houses around £1,147,000. Prices have fallen by 5% in the past year but remain 3% higher than the 2021 peak of £638,000.
Crouch End: The average property price stands at £720,000, with flats averaging £518,000 and terraced houses around £1,148,000. Prices are down 3% from last year but are 1% higher than the 2017 peak of £711,000.
Despite minor market corrections, Highbury's prices remain robust compared to neighbouring areas, underscoring its sustained attractiveness to buyers.
Education
Highbury is well-served by reputable schools, making it an appealing choice for families:
Ambler Primary School and Children’s Centre: Located on Blackstock Road, Ambler Primary has an Outstanding Ofsted rating (March 2023) and is praised for its welcoming environment and high academic standards.
Gillespie Primary School: Known for its strong community engagement and commitment to academic excellence.
St. John’s Highbury Vale Primary School: A well-regarded school offering a supportive learning environment.
Secondary Schools:
Highbury Fields School (for girls) offers excellent academic results.
Stoke Newington School provides a strong comprehensive education nearby.
Community and Sports
Highbury enjoys a vibrant community atmosphere, further enriched by its proximity to Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal Football Club. The stadium offers an electrifying match-day experience and contributes to the area’s energetic and diverse community. This unique feature makes Highbury particularly appealing to football enthusiasts and families alike.
Conclusion
Highbury offers an enviable blend of historical architecture, green spaces, and excellent transport links, making it an appealing choice for professionals and families. The Victorian and Georgian properties, coupled with amenities like Clissold Park, Highbury Fields, and the excitement of Emirates Stadium, create a balanced urban lifestyle.
At Tollington Surveyors, we take pride in our local knowledge and commitment to helping clients navigate the property market in Highbury.
If you are considering purchasing a home in Highbury, we are ready to assist with Homebuyer Surveys or Building Surveys to help you make a confident and informed decision.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Tollington Surveyors is a small, locally-focused surveying company based in Stroud Green, and dedicated to serving the Haringey area. Learn more >
