OVERVIEW - FAMILIES - NEARBY - TRANSPORT - BUYERS GUIDE - EDUCATION

THE EARLY ESTATE - BUILDINGS AND GATES - THE MODERN ERA - TREES

Congestion, draconian traffic regulations, expensive parking and competition from improving public transport make cars increasingly useless in London, but at least you can usually park outside your house or flat.

Several companies now offer instant rental: you just book your car over the Internet, walk to the car and drive it away for under £5 per hour.

Buses are frequent, with the 214 and C2 running 24/7 (click on the route number for the TFL route maps):

1. •The 214 goes north to Highgate Village and south to Kentish Town, Camden Town, St Pancras, Islington, Moorgate and Liverpool Street
   

2. •The C2 also goes to Kentish and Camden Town and then on to Oxford Circus; the route now extends to Hyde Park and Victoria
   

3. •The C11 goes east to Archway and west to Royal Free Hospital, Swiss Cottage, Finchely Road (O2 Centre) and, eventually, Brent Cross
   

London Overground (see Map) has taken over the train from Gospel Oak and is improving the service, with most journeys costing £1.10. It gives access to places that are otherwise hard to reach, including Richmond, Kew, Shepherds Bush, Clapham, Highbury, Stratford and Barking.

Thameslink Trains from Kentish Town go north to Luton and south to St Pancras, Blackfriars, Wimbledon and Sutton.

Paris and Brussels are now two stops away … jump on the 214 to St Pancras International and you are just one minute from Eurostar. If you traveling further afield, St Pancras Thameslink is now the easiest route to Gatwick Airport.

The Underground: Kentish Town, Tufnell Park and Archway stations are served by the Northern Line, which is often crowded and unpleasant but provides a frequent service to both the West End and City of London.