Often subsumed into Muswell Hill, Fortis Green is a parliamentary ward to the west of East Finchley

Ham & High: Fortis Green, HaringeyFortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

Local authority

Fortis Green is situated in the London Borough of Haringey within the N10 postal district. It is in the Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary constituency.

Ham & High: Fortis Green, HaringeyFortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

Council Tax bands

The total Council Tax bill which the smallest properties in Fortis Green in Band A would expect to pay is £944.31. Properties in the average Band D should receive a bill of £ 1,416.20. The most expensive homes in Band H would receive a Council Tax bill for £2,832.40.

Ham & High: Fortis Green, HaringeyFortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

Property

Property in Fortis Green is mostly either late Victorian houses or early twentieth century buildings, which are set along the area’s leafy residential streets. The average price of a two-bedroom flat is £571,394; for a semi-detached house it’s £837,296; and for a detached house it’s £950,911.

Ham & High: Fortis Green, HaringeyFortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

Education

The area is very popular with families thanks to the abundance of excellent state schools in the area. St James’s C of E Primary School is a voluntary aided Church of England school rated Outstanding by Ofsted, while Treehouse School bridges primary and secondary education for children diagnosed with autism. It is also rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

Ham & High: Fortis Green, HaringeyFortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

The jewel in the crown of education in Fortis Green is Fortismere School, a large, mixed gender state Foundation school with an Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

Transport

Ham & High: The Kinks collection inside the Clissold Arms, Fortis Green, HaringeyThe Kinks collection inside the Clissold Arms, Fortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

The nearest London Underground station to Fortis Green is East Finchley, which is in zone 3 on the High Barnet branch of the Northern Line. There are buses running to Tottenham Court Road and London Bridge in central London, as well as Brent Cross and Highgate Wood.

Landmarks and history

Ham & High: The Clissold Arms, Fortis Green, HaringeyThe Clissold Arms, Fortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

The area has a strong pop music heritage famously spawning brothers Ray and Dave Davies who attended Fortismere School before forming The Kinks. Meanwhile, at a nearby house called Fairport on the corner of Fortismere Avenue and Fortis Green, the folk band who would become Fairport Convention were rehearsing.

Eating and drinking

Ham & High: Lily Dryden, left, with friends Elenor Tennison and Daisy Bertenshew, of Fortis Green, HaringeyLily Dryden, left, with friends Elenor Tennison and Daisy Bertenshew, of Fortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

The Kinks collection inside the Clissold Arms, Fortis Green, HaringeyThe Kinks collection inside the Clissold Arms, Fortis Green, Haringey

Chris Kitch is a very popular local spot serving a daily changing menu of fresh salads and home baked breads and cakes. It’s the top local brunch spot with its ‘build your own breakfast’ and trendy décor.

Indian Rasoi is a much-loved restaurant which has been serving Indian food since 2007. Dishes are authentic, with chefs hailing from different parts of India and are a distinct departure from traditional curry house fare.

Ham & High: Fortis Green, HaringeyFortis Green, Haringey (Image: Archant)

The Kinks first gig was held at the Clissold Arms pub in 1960 and the group are now honoured with a dedicated Kinks room in the pub filled with memorabilia. The pub also offers classic gastropub fare.

Shopping and culture

Fortis Green runs between East Finchley and Muswell Hill and is the main shopping street in the area with a variety of small, local businesses. Ray and Dave Davies’s childhood home was at 6 Denmark Terrace and is a site of pilgrimage for rock music fans today, marked by a blue plaque.

Midhurst Butchers is a traditional butcher serving classic cuts alongside a selection of dairy produce, vegetables and condiments. It has a loyal local following and will often have queues outside, especially at the weekend. Never Never Land is a local, independent toyshop claiming to stock mostly educational toys and has an array of puppets for sale.

Good for kids

Delicia café is a very child-friendly café serving tempting food, cakes and fresh juices alongside an extensive kids menu and ice creams. The café is well set up for play dates with a dedicated play area, toys, games and books for all ages of children and space set aside for buggies and changing facilities. The local NCT group also hosts an NCTea at the café each Tuesday.

The London Football Academy provides coaching for children between 5 and 14 with popular after school clubs around the north London area, including one for pupils at St James’s CE. They also run very over-subscribed holiday clubs.

Sports and leisure

Tennis players are well provided for in the area and can choose between the Muswell Hill Methodist Lawn Tennis Club, founded in 1920 in what were then the grounds of a private house, and offering Astroturf courts and the Fortis Green Tennis Club, which has shale courts. Both clubs offer for hire, as well as coaching for all levels and participation in the Middlesex League. Tennis facilities are also available at the 10 hectare Muswell Hill Playing Fields, along with soccer and cricket pitches. Next to the Playing Fields is Coldfall Wood where visitors can join guided nature walks.

The Manor Health and Leisure club is a private health club with a gym, swimming pool and spa and a café.