The best things to do in East Finchley, the Phoenix Cinema, Cherry Tree Wood, independent cafés, pubs, restaurants and walks. A North London neighbourhood worth exploring.
Built as the Picturedrome in 1910 and rebuilt in its current art deco form in the 1930s, the Phoenix is a Grade II listed building and one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in Britain. It runs a curated programme of new releases, independent and foreign language films, classic revivals and special events, a full account of the programme and practical visitor information is in our Phoenix Cinema guide.
The cinema is directly adjacent to East Finchley Underground station, which makes it unusually easy to reach from anywhere on the Northern line. For an evening out that combines dinner with a film, the High Road has enough options nearby to make a proper occasion of it.
Cherry Tree Wood
Cherry Tree Wood is a 10-acre park and ancient woodland on the High Road, immediately south of East Finchley station. It is managed by the London Borough of Barnet and listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
The park takes its name from the cherry trees that were once grown here commercially. Today it is primarily a neighbourhood green space, open lawns, mature trees, a children's play area and a bandstand, but the ancient woodland at its core is genuinely old, with veteran oaks and a woodland floor structure that indicates centuries of continuity.
What to find in Cherry Tree Wood: - Ancient woodland with veteran oak trees - Open lawns and informal picnic areas - A children's play area - A bandstand used for summer performances - A café kiosk (seasonal, near the High Road entrance)
The park is free to enter and open at all times. It is at its best in spring when the cherry trees flower (late March to April) and in autumn when the woodland canopy is in colour.
Independent Cafés and Coffee
East Finchley has a stronger independent café scene than its high street might suggest. The concentration of creative professionals, young families and working-from-home residents has created a market for good coffee and informal daytime spaces.
Notable spots: - Nautilus (on the High Road), an institution of sorts, one of the borough's most consistent fish and chip restaurants, been on the street for decades - Independent café options cluster around the High Road and the streets leading off it, with several good spots for flat whites and working lunches
For coffee specifically, the area around East Finchley station has seen several new independents open in recent years as the neighbourhood's demographic has shifted. The best are changing quickly enough that the most current recommendations are found on local neighbourhood forums and the East Finchley community groups on social media.
Eating and Drinking in East Finchley
The High Road has a range of options across different price points and cuisines, Italian, Turkish, Japanese, Indian and a reliable collection of neighbourhood pubs.
Pubs worth knowing: - The Bald Faced Stag, a large traditional pub on the High Road with a beer garden, good for groups and popular before Phoenix Cinema screenings - The Tally Ho, at the junction of the High Road and Ballards Lane, a Fuller's pub with the architectural character of an interwar roadhouse; more space than most local pubs
Restaurants and takeaways: - East Finchley is particularly well served for Turkish and Middle Eastern food, reflecting the broader North London demographics of the area - The Japanese options near the station are worth seeking out if you are arriving from further south and want dinner before an evening at the cinema
St Mary's Church and the War Memorial
St Mary's Church at the top of the High Road is a Victorian Gothic building with a churchyard that contains Commonwealth war graves. The church dates from the 1890s and the building is architecturally unremarkable externally, but the churchyard is quiet and well maintained and offers a moment of stillness on a busy high street.
The war memorial in Cherry Tree Wood commemorates local residents who died in both World Wars and is a focal point for Remembrance Sunday services.
Walking from East Finchley
East Finchley is an underrated starting point for walks into the North London green network.
Parkland Walk (East): The former railway path connecting East Finchley to Finsbury Park passes directly through Cherry Tree Wood. The Parkland Walk is one of North London's best off-road walking routes, running for roughly four miles through a nature reserve corridor. The East Finchley section connects northward to Alexandra Palace and southward to Highgate and Finsbury Park. A full guide to the walk is linked below.
Highgate: From East Finchley, Highgate village is around a 20-25 minute walk uphill, passing through quiet residential streets and connecting to Waterlow Park and Highgate Cemetery. It is a worthwhile route if you are willing to gain some elevation.
Alexandra Park: Via the Parkland Walk north, Alexandra Palace and its park are reachable in around 30-40 minutes on foot. The route passes through the railway cutting that forms the nature reserve and emerges near the palace grounds.
East Finchley Arts Scene
East Finchley has an unusually high concentration of working artists, musicians and other creative professionals for a suburban neighbourhood. This is partly historical, the affordable studio and workshop spaces that developed in the area from the 1970s onwards attracted a creative community that has persisted and grown, and partly a product of its position between Highgate, Muswell Hill and Hampstead.
The result is visible in the neighbourhood in small ways: independent galleries and studios open during East Finchley arts trails, murals and public art on the High Road, and a particular kind of neighbourhood energy that you notice once you start looking for it.
The Phoenix Cinema is the most visible expression of this creative identity, but the East Finchley Open Studios event (held annually, typically in June) gives access to working studios across the neighbourhood that are not otherwise open to the public.
Getting There
By Underground: East Finchley is on the Northern line (High Barnet branch). From central London (King's Cross/St Pancras), the journey takes around 25-35 minutes. From Highgate, it is one stop.
By bus: The 143 connects East Finchley to Archway and Highgate. The 263 runs through several North London neighbourhoods. The N20 night bus provides late services.
By car: East Finchley is about 8-9 miles north of central London by road. Parking is available on the residential streets off the High Road, mostly unrestricted in the evenings.
From Hampstead: Hampstead is about 2-3 miles from East Finchley. By Tube (change at Highgate or Borough), the journey is around 20 minutes. By car or bike, around 15-20 minutes depending on route.
East Finchley High Road has a Waitrose, a Post Office, several pharmacies and all the day-to-day services of a working London high street. It is not a destination high street in the way that Hampstead or Highgate are, but that practicality is part of its character.
The Barnet borough council offices for part of the area and the library are accessible from the High Road. The local GP surgeries and NHS facilities are within the neighbourhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is East Finchley known for?
East Finchley is best known for the Phoenix Cinema, one of Britain's oldest working picture houses, and for Cherry Tree Wood, an ancient woodland park on the High Road. It has a strong independent arts community and a notable concentration of creative professionals.
Is East Finchley worth visiting?
For an evening out combining an independent cinema with dinner, or for a walk on the Parkland Walk connecting North London's green spaces, yes. It is not a conventional tourist destination but has more to offer than its unassuming high street suggests.
How do I get to East Finchley?
East Finchley is directly served by the Northern line (High Barnet branch). From King's Cross, the journey takes around 25 minutes. The station is at the top of the High Road.
What is Cherry Tree Wood in East Finchley?
Cherry Tree Wood is a 10-acre park and ancient woodland on the High Road in East Finchley. It is free to enter, includes a children's play area and bandstand, and is part of the Parkland Walk nature reserve corridor.
