Insider Guide: Nicholas Bailey

Nicholas Bailey isn’t just the publican behind NW5’s The Southampton Arms, he’s also a mine of local knowledge. Here he shares his favourite North London destinations.

I am a publican, gardener, tea drinker and landscape photography enthusiast. I buy more books than I have time to read and I absolutely love a good garden centre. Occasionally I like to go and ogle at all things beautiful and ugly hung aloft in grand buildings. I am an Arsenal fan (yes, yes I know, we have fallen from higher heights). We shall be Kings again, surely (smirk all you want).

Here are six of my must-visit spots:

1. The Bull & Last
Location: 168 Highgate Rd, London NW5 1QS
Find out more: thebullandlast.co.uk
Some of the finest food anywhere in London, restaurant or pub. Period. I can’t afford to eat there everyday but if I could, I most definitely would. Hello Cured & Torched Mackerel, Confit Fennel, Kohlrabi & Burnt Apple. Hello desserts that are full of decadent intent. I get ravenously hungry when I think of the food there. They released a cook book last year, if you fancy an effort at  some of their famous dishes at home. Forewarned is forearmed, your efforts will be utterly futile (obviously). But they do say God loves a trier. So there, some consolation — and no doubt you will emerge with a new found appreciation of cooking as a true artform.

2. Abba Electronics
Location: 236 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2AB
Abba Electronics has been going for 34 years. 34 years with the same owner behind the till. An upside of Covid, if there is such a thing, has been the appreciation of the local shops and businesses. You cannot get any more local and independent than Abba Electronics.

3. The Boma Garden Centre
Location: 51-53 Islip St, London NW5 2DL
Follow: @bomagardencentre  Find out more: bomagardencentre.com
Given the choice of going to the garden centre or night club? Easy, garden centre. Always. Boma is an independent, family-owned garden centre. Helpful and knowledgeable staff are always around. You pay a bit more for your plants here but don’t forget you are getting first rate advice. 

4. The Duke of Hamilton
Location: 23-25 New End, London NW3 1JD
Follow: @thedukenw3 Find out more: thedukeofhamiltonnw3.com
Some trivia: The Duke was a particular favourite with a bunch of Camden teenage boys who were later to become the band Madness. It has since undergone much transformation but is now under the brilliant custodianship of brothers Ed and Ben Robson, and their friend Adam. They are three local boys who, as a matter of fact, grew up round the corner from The Duke, so they know the lay of the land, their punters well and have positioned their pub brilliantly; a great pub that does great food. 

5. Coin Laundry
Location: 1 Fortess Rd, London NW5 1AA
This is a special place for me. I met my girlfriend here, six years ago. Reader, I did not marry her. She fled back to Tallahassee, which is just as well, her cat bit me once. That cat sure knew something about me, and whatever info it had on me, it most definitely wasn’t good. 

6. Kentish Town Stores
Location: 230A Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2AB
Follow: @kentishtownstores Find out more: kentishtownstores.com
This one is a bit of a newcomer and a much-needed venue in Kentish Town. You are intrigued by that name, aren’t you? Well, allow me to break it down for you like a fraction: it’s an excellent coffee shop, pottery store, co-working hub and events space. Everything is small batch and handmade by UK based makers and small independent brands. The proprietor is Kentish Town born, Luci, therefore she has a feel for the neighbourhood. 

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