Welcome

Feels like the world is ready to wind down for the festivities/seasonal break.

​

We've curated some of the best local walks for you, as well as celebrating local boy Anthony Joshua and award-winning Head Teacher Lucy Harrison.

​

Wishing you all a blessed season - see you on the other side.

🥾 5 Finchley Winter Walks

Getting ready for Christmas festivities or a few days off?

Come the end of the week, you may be looking for a brisk walk to work off some of those treats.

Check out these 5 post-prandial Christmas / Boxing Day or just cold-sunny-day seasonal local walks.

​

1. A River Runs Through It: Tracing North London’s Moselle River

Start: Queen's Wood, Muswell Hill Road

End: Tottenham Marshes

Distance: 11.7 km

Discover North London's own winding Moselle River. This hidden gem starts on the slopes of Highgate and Muswell Hill and meanders through Hornsey and Wood Green. Details here.

​

2. The Parkland Walk: Nature's Linear Gallery

Start: Alexandra Palace Station

End: Finsbury Park Station

Distance: 4 km

The Parkland Walk is London’s longest linear nature reserve, a 4km stretch that was once a bustling railway line. This route is a green artery through Crouch End and Highgate, and a chance to see the Spriggan, an eerie sculpture that has become a local curiosity. Details here.

​

3. Darland's Lake Loop: A Nature Enthusiast's Dream

Start and End: Engel Park Bus Station

Distance: 7.6 km

This moderately challenging loop takes you around the picturesque Darland's Lake and through areas rich in natural beauty. It's a fantastic way to disconnect and enjoy the serenity of the outdoors. Details here.

​

4. Finchley Farmlands Circular: Rustic Charm Awaits

Start and End: The Ridgeway

Distance: 5 km

For those looking for a shorter stroll, the Finchley Farmlands Circular is ideal. Wander through fields, and over Folly Brook. This route offers a glimpse into Finchley's pastoral past. Details here.

​

5. Finchley to Broadway: Urban Meets Green

Start: Finchley Central

End: Broadway

Distance: 16.05 km

This trail offers a mix of urban and natural settings, leading you through Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Regent's Park, before culminating at Broadway. It's a longer walk, perfect for those looking to step up their Boxing Day adventure. Details here.

​

Whether you fancy a gentle amble or a calf-testing march, Finchley has plenty of routes to stretch your legs and clear your head in the crisp winter air. 🥾

Events

ARTS

Wednesday 24th December

​It's A Wonderful Life | Wed, Dec. 24 | 2:15 pm | Phoenix Cinema East Finchley 52 High Rd London, N2 9PJ | From £6 | Watch an Xmas Classic at the Phoenix Cinema. Beset with personal and professional problems, George Bailey finds his previously happy life falling apart around him on Christmas Eve.

​

Thursday 1st January (until the end of January)

​Sambuca Steve | Thurs, Jan. 1 | Old Marine Arts Group, 95 Colney Hatch Ln, N10 1LR
| Free | Sambuca Steve moved to London more than 30 years ago, although his accent still carries a hint of his childhood roots – almost Liverpudlian but not quite. He studied for a fine art degree and drew nearly every day, with a particular passion for comic art. A selection of his work is now on display at Old Marine Arts Group, a tattoo and art studio located on Colney Hatch Lane.
​
​Saturday 3rd January

​The Weaving Circle | Sat, Jan. 3 | 11:00 am | Clitterhouse Farm Project, NW2 1AP | £28.88 | Join the group to learn this craft, or hone your skills if you've already started weaving. Pine needle baskets are handcrafted from the long, flexible needles of pine trees. This is an ancient craft, each piece is coiled and stitched by hand, reflecting the creativity of the maker, and resulting in designs that are both functional and decorative.

​

Saturday 24th January

​Burns Night Supper | Sat, Jan. 24 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Stephens House & Gardens, N3 3QE | £30 non-members, £27 members | Celebrate Burns Night in the historic setting of Avenue House, with this all-inclusive menu of Scottish Vegetable Broth, Haggis Neeps & Tatties, Whisky Bread & Butter Pudding, followed by Coffee and Shortbread.

​

​

COMMUNITY

Thursday 25th December

Christmas Day Brunch | Thurs, Dec. 25 | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | The Lounge, Green Man Community Centre, N2 9BA | Join us for food, fun and festive company on Christmas Day. A relaxed space to share brunch and be together on Christmas morning. Everyone is welcome. For more information, email: hello@churchatfive.org​

​

​

SPORT

Sunday 4th January

​The Regent's Park 10k Winter Series by The Mornington Chasers | Sun, Jan. 04 | 9:00 am to 11:30 am | The Regent's Park NW1 4NR | £24 | ​​​​​​​Join everyone for London's most popular 10k in a park setting, brought to you through the winter months by local running club, The Mornington Chasers.

​

Saturday 10th January

Girls Football Coaching | Sat, Jan. 10 | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | Christ's College, N2 0SE | £12 | Starting in the New Year, part of Let them Play initiative for everyone to get involved in football | Contact Ricky 07540 176012.

​

​

THEATRE

Friday 10th January

​Snow White & the Messy Dwarves Snow White & the Messy Dwarves | Fri, Jan. 10 | 11:00 am | Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG | £8, Family ticket: £28 | Snow White & The Messy Dwarves is new panto from Barking Dog featuring beloved characters, silly songs and cherished traditions for children aged 6 and under and their families.

​

​

MUSIC

Wednesday 31st December

​Camden Rocks New Year's Eve Bonanza at The Underworld - London | Wed, Dec. 31 | 9:00 pm to 4:00 am | The Underworld, 174 Camden High Street, NW1 9DL | £22 | The annual, sell-out rockin' New Year's event hosted by Camden Town's biggest weekly indie/rock night, Camden Rocks Club.

Events - Book Ahead

Saturday 10th January

​Snow White and the Seven ??????? | Sat, Jan. 10 | 7:30 pm to | The Bull Theatre, EN5 5SJ | From £10 | When Snow White finds a Prince, her jealous, wicked stepmother casts her into the forest where she meets seven lovely strangers who help her...and a rabbit. There are sing-along songs and plenty of laughs in a traditional pantomime for the whole family.

​

Saturday 14th February

On Valentine’s Day, enjoy a romantic evening of love songs by candlelight in a beautiful Tudor palace. In the stunning setting of the Old Palace, where Queen Elizabeth I once held court, enjoy elegant renditions of classic love songs throughout the decades, performed live by the magnificent string quartet, The London String Trio, in the opulent glow of golden candlelight. For more information and to book tickets, visit@thelondonstringtrio​

​

Saturday 28th February

​Age UK Barnet: Coffee Mornings | Sat, Feb. 28 | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, East Finchley N2 8LT. | Free | Join us for a cuppa and a friendly chat at one of our new coffee mornings, which are held between 10:30 am to 12 noon around the borough. For more details, call Tamara on 0208 1297619 or email activities@ageukbarnet.org.uk.​

Local Lowdown

​

Winning

• AJ delivers. Anthony Joshua from Finchley faced Jake Paul in Miami. He knocked him out with a fierce right hand in the sixth round of their Netflix heavyweight fight, leaving Paul with a double broken jaw (gulp).

Relocating

• Rainbow revival. The beloved Rainbow Centre has a new home at the old 1st Barnet Scouts HQ in Underhill after years of uncertainty. The community hub, famous for its food bank, martial arts classes, and kids’ lunch club, opened last week. An official celebration is planned for the New Year.

Training

• Calling all green thumbs. Barnet Council’s Greenspaces Team is providing free one-day training courses in 2026. These are for anyone volunteering in local parks and green spaces. The first sessions start on 8th and 15th January. Spaces are limited, so get in early and help keep Barnet’s parks blooming. Details here.

Bubbling

• Caffeine shake-up. Four beloved cafés in North London, like Parliament Hill and Golders Hill Park, are losing their leases to the Aussie-style chain, Daisy Green. Locals and celebs (yes, Benedict Cumberbatch) rallied to keep the independents, but the City of London Corporation handed over the keys. Sign the petition here.​

Redeveloping

• Branch Hill House has found a new chapter. Sold for £16 million, the grand Hampstead mansion will soon be No.1 Hampstead. It will feature 50 ultra-luxury flats on 1.7 acres of lush greenery. The developers aim to tear down the 60s care-home wing. They want to bring back its Edwardian charm for a select few in the “super-prime” market.

The Finchleyite: Lucy Harrison

​

​Lucy Harrison, headteacher of the Archer Academy, has been crowned London’s best headteacher at the 2025 Pearson National Teaching Awards – the “Oscars of Education” - putting the local East Finchley school firmly in the spotlight.

​

The award, in the secondary school category, recognises her exceptional leadership, dedication to pupils and staff, and the positive culture she has helped build at Archer. With Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in attendance, judges praised her commitment to raising standards, supporting young people, and creating an inclusive, aspirational environment where students can thrive.

​

The Teaching Awards celebrate the very best educators across the capital, and Miss Harrison’s win highlights the impact strong leadership can have at a community level.

​

Staff, students and parents at Archer Academy have welcomed the recognition, describing it as well-deserved. The accolade not only celebrates Miss Harrison’s achievements but also showcases Archer Academy as a leading example of educational excellence.

Editors' Note - From Tessa

​

I know Sasha mentioned this last week, but couldn't let my own Editor's note go without mentioning the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach.

​

The Davis Family are all Australians and spent 6 years living in Bondi, which is where our children grew up and where the littlest Davis was born.

​

Thinking of all our lovely friends there, and looking forward to only good times ahead.

​

Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.

​

You can now get a guaranteed (paid) listing for local events or local lowdown/news items.

​

​And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

​

Tessa Davis Sasha Frieze