Muswell Hill – A Village Above the City
A glimpse into the stories behind our neighbourhoods
Muswell Hill sits on one of the highest points in North London, which is why the views from here can stretch right across the capital on a clear day. The name is believed to come from “Mossy Well”, a natural spring discovered in the 12th century that was said to have healing powers. Pilgrims once travelled here to visit a chapel built near the well.
For centuries Muswell Hill was a quiet rural area. That changed dramatically in the late 19th century when Alexandra Palace opened and the railway arrived. Suddenly Londoners could escape the city and settle on this leafy hilltop.
Alexandra Palace itself has an extraordinary place in British history. In 1936 it became the home of the BBC’s first regular television broadcasts. From studios inside the building, the world’s earliest TV programmes were transmitted.
Today the Broadway still feels like a lively village centre, filled with independent cafés, shops and restaurants that give the area its distinctive character. Some long‑time residents remember when trams ran up the hill to Alexandra Palace — and when the area had far fewer chain shops.
Do you have an interesting fact, memory or old photograph of Muswell Hill? Email it to us hello@northlondon.life and we may feature it in a future issue.
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