Bruce Castle & Tottenham Cemetery
This neighbourhood is a lush pocket of Haringey, just northeast of Tottenham. The area is popular among commuting families because of its green suburban feel and easy transport connection via the Overground at White Hart Lane station. With a great mix of homes - from council flat towers to quainter Edwardian terraced houses - residents are spoiled by the area’s general affordability. For those who don’t have their own private gardens, there are also plenty of beautiful local green spaces. If visiting on a weekend, you’ll find locals strolling through the historic Tottenham Cemetery, and families picnicking in the gorgeous Bruce Castle Park after visiting the fascinating Bruce Castle Museum. During those colder winter months, many locals get a lot of use out of the well-equipped Tottenham Community Sports Centre. Following all of this weekend liveliness, residents often gather for a pint or roast at The Antwerp Arms. Seeing all that the neighbourhood has to offer, it’s easy to understand why it’s quickly becoming more popular amongst central Londoners.
Bruce Grove dates back to the 13th century, when the Bruce family built a manor house in the area. By 1306 though, Robert the Bruce had rebelled and become the king of Scotland - leading to the property’s sequestering. Following this, the house was rebuilt in order to accommodate Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Later on, in the 17th century, the house was remodelled and named Bruce Castle. It wasn’t until the late 18th century, that the manorial estate was broken up - allowing for the construction of many semi-detached villas. By the late 19th century, the arrival of the railway had attracted many working-class residents to the area. Bruce Castle is now a museum that celebrates the area’s local history.
There used to be a school in Bruce Castle Park, which received many well-known visitors - like Charles Dickens. Charles Babbage, who invented the digital computer, also sent his sons to the school.
Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium borders this part of the neighbourhood. Since White Hart Lane station is the closest to the stadium, it can become pretty hectic with attendees on game days. For residents who are fans though, the proximity is worth the noise and crowds within the neighbourhood.
The Bruce Castle Museum has been undergoing major renovation works. The bulk of the work was on the exterior of the grade I-listed building, and the museum reopened earlier this year to the delight of local residents. This area is also set to benefit from Crossrail 2, which is expected to stop at nearby Tottenham Hale, providing quick links into the city. However, despite £1.8 billion being invested in the project in 2020 it is unclear when the scheme will materialise as plans have been underconsideration in different forms since the 1970s. This proposed new infrastructure is likely part of the reason for the recent explosion of new development around Tottenham Hale. When completed, developments such as Berol Yard, Millstream Tower, Hale Works, and the Heart of Hale will provide nearly 2,000 new homes collectively.