Secret streets: Kentish Town

I get very easily bored on my running routes so I like to mix them up every so often and take the back streets or non straight forward ways.

This week I ran around the back streets of Kentish Town where there are loads of surprises!

Colurfully painted houses on and around Leverton Street

Definitely the best thing to discover is the numerous side streets where the houses are painted in pastel colours, not sure if they have to get agreement from the neighbours to change colour – but it makes me smile, especially on a dull day.

Kelly Street is another with little 2 up 2 down houses painted colourfully – it is also a dead end, but just for cars, so perfect to run through off of Kentish Town Road and you wouldn’t find it if you were driving.

Another Secret Street that you wouldn’t find unless on foot is Reeds Place.

This is a pedestrian street tucked away behind a mews just off Rochester Street, not far from The Old Eagle Pub, which I mentioned in my Secret Camden Pubs post.

I also ran past a few pubs on my route which aren’t on the main roads and which kinda fall outside of the direct Camden label – so here are some Secret Pubs of Kentish Town!

The Pineapple – tucked away off of Leverton Street it served up Thai food last time I was there. There are open fires making it a great place to cuddle up in front of the fire for Autumn & Winter.

The Vine on Highgate Road – they do great food here with a large dining room out back and a beer garden for when the weather is warmer.

Now the less secret ones

The Junction Tavern – known for its food, definitely try out the Sunday Roast, but you’ll need to book as it’s popular with the local families (and you can spot celebrities in there every so often!)

The Abbey on Kentish Town road – it has a decked area and terrace out back and they serve food and have good late night music at the weekends.

Finally a non drink related place I discovered last year before I went travelling:

The beautifully restored Public Baths (read swimming pools). They opened up a couple of years ago after the refurbishment and the main pool with its original glass roof is stunning to swim in.

So I recommend getting out and having a wander around Kentish Town back streets – you never know what you may come across.