Welcome

This week we've got some hyper-local sunset watching locations, insights into the history of Hampstead Garden Suburb - and where to get pizza for 33p.

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Let's party like it's 1965.

🌅Finchley-Friendly Sunsets

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London is apparently the sixth most photogenic sunset spot, according to Titan Travel. And with spring finally sprung around these parts, it’s a great time of year for Finchleyites to look up at the sky in wonder and enjoy the beauty.

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​Primrose Hill​

Primrose Hill is famous for its views and the top of this hill is one of the six protected viewpoints in London. You’ll get amazing views of the city’s skyline – a clear view of central London, including the picturesque St Paul’s Cathedral. And you get to see a beautiful etching featuring lines attributed to poet William Blake - “I have conversed with the spiritual Sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill.”

From 30^th March and the arrival of British Summertime, Primrose Hill is open 24 hours on weekdays and 6am to 10pm on weekends. And lots of cute cafes for your post-sunset nibbles.

How to get there from Finchley Central: Northern Line to Chalk Farm (change at Camden) then a 15 minute walk

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​Hampstead Heath Parliament Hill​

Standing tall at 98 metres, Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath serves up one of the best panoramic views of London. From here, you can spot iconic landmarks like the Shard and the Gherkin, all while soaking up the lively atmosphere. Expect to see dog walkers making their way up, artists capturing the skyline on canvas, and plenty of benches for those who’d rather sit back and take it all in. Whether you’re after a quiet moment, a scenic stroll, or the perfect Instagram shot, this spot never disappoints.

How to get there from Finchley Central: Northern Line to Archway, hop on a C11 bus (they are so cute), 6 stops and then 14 minute walk from Parliament Hill Fields to the viewing point.

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Enjoy your sunsets. 🌅

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Events

KIDS

Thursday 27th March

​T-Rex T-Ball: baseball sessions for kids at The 108 | Thu, Mar. 27 | 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm | The 108, Brent Terrace, NW2 1LT | £2.50 per session | Each session helps the children build confidence, improve their social skills and make new friends, while encouraging them to try new things and see how much they can improve – all while having a roaring good time.

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OLDER PEOPLE

Monday 24th March

Tai Chi For Better Health | Mon, Mar. 24 | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | OneStoneGrove, Hayling Way, HA8 8BN | TBD | Discover the ancient art of Tai Chi at OneStonegrove. The gentle and slow-paced Tai Chi class is designed specifically for seniors, offering a range of incredible benefits. Text 07462 181878.

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Wednesday 26th March

TALK: Love and relationships by Professor Catherine Loveday | Wed, Mar. 26 | 6:45 pm to 8:00 pm | The Ann Owens Centre - Age UK, N2 8LT | TBD | Catherine talks about the connection between memory and love and how we can use this to improve our relationships. Call Teresa on 07502 989 403 or email.

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COMMUNITY

Thursday 27th March

​Coffee Morning | Thu, Mar. 27 | 9:30 am to 12:00 pm | Tarling Road Community Centre, 20 Fallows Cl, London N2 8LG | Free | Come along to the weekly Coffee Morning at Tarling Road Community Centre. Hot drinks and refreshments included and served out of their community centre's new kitchen.

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MUSIC

Thursday 27th March

High Voltage at The Three Wishes | Thu, Mar. 27 | 9:00 pm to 11:30 pm | Three Wishes, High Street, Edgware | Free | Swedish covers band High Voltage will be playing a selection of AC/DC and Thin Lizzy covers at their annual Edgware gig.

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​Aurelius Album Launch | Thu, Mar. 27 | 7:30 pm to | Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, N6 5HG | £15 | Aurelius is a modern jazz trio led by bassist and composer Marcus Penrose. Their concert is in celebration of the release of the trio’s second album and will feature music from both recordings as well as some arrangements of the band's favourite jazz standards.

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Thursday 3rd April

​Floating Sound Bath With Reiki | Thu, Apr. 03 | 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Oakleigh Park School of Swimming, N12 7BN | £39 | Step into a realm of blissful tranquillity with our unique Floating Sound Bath Meditation experience (on water) with floating loungers, reiki and self heating eye masks. Imagine drifting weightlessly on the surface of a calm pool, supported by a floating lounger, enveloped in the soothing melodies of carefully selected sound healing instruments.

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THEATRE

Thursday 27th March

​Nostalgia | Thu, Mar. 27 | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | 11 South Grove, N6 6BS | £12 | After 40 years of absence in Egypt, Felice, now married and Muslim, returns to his hometown Naples to look after his ageing mother. He rediscovers the places, the codes of the city and a past that eats away at him.

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NATURE

Wednesday 26th March

​Tree Planting Event | Wed, Mar. 26 | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | Menton Brook, N3 3AY | Free | Come help plant over 1800 Trees making up 3 tiny forests. Bring gloves and a spade if you have them.

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Thursday 3rd April

​For the Love of Weeds Webinar | Thu, Apr. 3 | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Online | Free | It is time to rehabilitate weeds into the great plant cannon of history. Join The Finchley Pollinator Project and horticulturist Deena J Kestenbaum for a fascinating webinar learning about these misunderstood nature heroes.

Events - Book Ahead

Sunday 27th Paril

​London Ceramics Spring Market | Sun, Apr. 27 | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Hornsey Parish Church, Cranley Gardens, N10 3AH | Free to attend | Selling Contemporary Handmade Ceramics by Local Potters. Come and say hi and meet talented local potters and browse a varied selection of one of kind pots.

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Thursday 1st Mary

​An Ideal Husband | Thu, May. 1 | 7:30 pm to 9:45 pm | Upstairs at the Gatehouse, N6 | £15 | Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful government minister, well-off and with a loving wife. All this is threatened when Mrs Cheveley appears with evidence of a past he would rather hide. Sir Robert has to decide whether to yield to blackmail or risk exposing the origins of his wealth and position.

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Saturday 28th June

​Whetsone Wildcats FC - Summer Football Festival | Sat, Jun. 28 | Finchley Catholic School Sports Fields, 58 Southover, N12 7ES | £2 | Football games for all, includes a bouncy castle for kids, face painting, beat the goalkeeper and so much more with refreshments included. all proceeds go to Noah's Ark Hospice.

Local Lowdown

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Banking

• Banking goodbyes. The Santander branch on Ballards Lane is set to close on August 6th. It is one of 95 of its branches being closed in the UK. Santander say that a whopping 93% of its customers already bank online or via mobile, leading to this move.

Partying

• Party like it's 1945. Barnet is set to buzz with VE Day street parties from 8-11th May, celebrating 80 years of peace. Fancy hosting one? Book your street party spot by applying for a road closure by 4th April. Don't miss out on making history. Apply here.

Eating

• Roll back the years. Pizza Express is throwing a 60s-style bash to celebrate its 60th birthday. On March 27, from 5-6 pm, the pizza prices will roll back to 1965 prices. Enjoy your favourite pizzas - like the classic Margherita or spicy American Hot - for as little as 33p.

Disposing

• Green thumbs up. Ready to keep your garden spick and span? Sign up for the 2025-2026 fortnightly garden waste collection in Barnet starting May 3rd. It’s £100 for the first bin and £72.75 for extras.

Moving?

• Prestige picks. Harpenden leads the pack as the UK's most desirable place to live, says a new study by Savills for the Telegraph. Boasting rapid London commutes and a bevy of clubs, it's not just the £913,000 average house price that’s impressive - 60% of its residents hold degrees too. Worth leaving Finchley for?

The Finchleyite: Sir Edward Lutyens

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​Sir Edwin Lutyens was one of Britain’s most influential architects, known for his ability to blend classical design with local traditions. His legacy is felt close to home in Hampstead Garden Suburb, where he worked alongside urban planner Raymond Unwin to shape the original masterplan.

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Lutyens designed key elements of the suburb, most notably Central Square, with its twin churches—St Jude’s and the Free Church—and the surrounding formal layout. His careful attention to proportion, greenery, and architectural detail helped set the tone for the Suburb’s distinctive character.

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Though best known for national landmarks like the Cenotaph and New Delhi’s government buildings, Lutyens’ work in NW11 is a quieter triumph—one that continues to define the area’s charm and heritage. Walk through Central Square today, and you’re walking through one of Lutyens’ most thoughtful contributions to London living.

Editors' Note - From Sasha

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Couple of weeks back had a brilliant evening at People’s Question Time in north London’s Haringey at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, chaired by ITV news broadcaster and Loose Women anchor Charlene White. It's a real opportunity to come and ask the mayor and the London Assembly your questions in person.

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Scroll down for the video – the evening starts at 40:40

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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.

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

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

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Tessa Davis Sasha Frieze