Hotel in Wood Green, London

A busy urban centre to the north of Finsbury Park, Wood Green is notable for its diversity – an estimated 200 languages are spoken in the district – and wide range of shopping and leisure amenities. The lengthy High Road, linking the two ends of Green Lanes – one of London’s longest streets, stretching the four miles from Winchmore Hill to Manor House – is lined with high street shops, banks, fast food outlets, butchers and urban fashion stores.

Shopping City (High Road, www.themall.co.uk) is the major mall with branches of Top Shop, TK Maxx, HMV, Boots and a number of interesting clothing boutiques with the emphasis on street style; the best of which is Foot Asylum (159 High Road, 020 8881 9435, www.footasylum.com), a star choice for the sharp sneakers. One small retailer that stands out from the crowd is the Big Green Bookshop (Unit 1, Brampton Park Road, 020 8881 6767, www.biggreenbookshop.com), an independent bookseller with regular readings, poetry evenings and an excellent children’s section.

There’s two cinemas within walking distance of the tube – the Showcase (180 High Road, 0871 220 8000, www.showcasecinemas.co.uk) and the ironically-titled ‘Hollywood Green’ Cineworld (High Street, 0871 220 8000) – but for drinking and dining out, unless greasy fried chicken or Wetherspoons tickles your fancy, head to nearby Muswell Hill or lively Crouch End.

The bottom end of Green Lanes near Manor House is worth a wander: with major Greek, Turkish and Cypriot communities living together in (usually) perfect harmony, there’s superior kebab restaurants and bakeries buzzing with life 24 hours a day. And for a break from Wood Greens relentless urban assault – it can get edgy round here after dark so definitely stick to the main streets – take a bus to Alexandra Palace Park (www.alexandrapalace.com) for stunning central London views, a cool ice rink and the occasional major concert.

Wood Green (Zone 3) is served by the Piccadilly Line and the 29/N29 bus services connect to central London conveniently throughout the night.

Wood Green: Tube (underground)

Wood Green: Rail (overground)