'I’m in the place I want to be': Artist Finn Stone on why he'll never leave Palmers Green — or London

Contemporary artist Finn Stone moved to Palmers Green for its family-friendly vibe. Over 15 years on, he’s just where he wants to be

Emma Magnus11 September 2024

My family and I have lived in Palmers Green for coming on 15 years. Our children were young at the time, and it felt like a nice family area. I see myself staying here.

As I get older, I think to myself that it would be nice to move to the countryside, but when London’s in you, it’s in you.

Best for eating and drinking

Holtwhites, on Aldermans Hill, is a great artisan bakery. It’s got amazing croissants, rye bread, freshly made sandwiches and super cakes. I’d go for a tuna salad sandwich and a chocolate brownie. It’s a lovely place to go.

Holtwhites Bakery on Alderman's Hill

Daniel Lynch

There’s a good Italian restaurant, Rimini, on Green Lanes. It’s family-run, and the owners are really nice. Khin Lee, on the same road, is a great Chinese restaurant.

There’s a fish and chip shop, George’s Fish Bar, which has been here for about 50 years, I’d say. It hasn’t been touched since the Seventies — if you did a Vogue shoot in there, it would be amazing. It’s a great place if you want something traditional.

Little Green Dragon Craft Brewery on Green Lanes

Daniel Lynch

There are lots of new places popping up too. Aksular, also on Green Lanes, is fairly new. It’s a big Turkish place; modern, with nice food. The Little Green Dragon ale house on Green Lanes is a microbrewery which just won a Camra award.

Where I work out

There’s a place around the corner on Green Lanes called Yoga Rocks. It popped up recently and does hot yoga. There are a few gyms, but a PureGym has also opened on Green Lanes. It’s super close: about 200 metres away.

Broomfield Park has a big pond

Daniel Lynch

To commune with nature

Broomfield Park is really nice. You’ve got an apple orchard in there, and, tucked away, a conservatory with unusual plants inside. There’s a big pond too — you see the odd swan in there.

Grocery shopping

I do a lot of my work in the evenings because it’s the quietest time. Painting at night is great for feeling calm. ST Food and Wine, on Green Lanes, is open until two in the morning. If you decided to make a salad — or whatever you wanted — you could get all your ingredients in there.

There’s also a little Sainsbury’s on Green Lanes. Sometimes I’ll skate to M&S in Southgate.

For a culture fix

There’s a monthly vintage market, N13 Flea Market, at St John’s church hall on Bourne Hill. You can pick up some really unusual stuff there.

Palmer's Green Festival in Broomfield Park

Daniel Lynch

Palmers Green Festival, in Broomfield Park, is nice, and brings people out. There are bands playing music, and all the cafes nearby get more customers. Certain pubs here, like The Fox on Green Lanes, sometimes host pop-up cinema events. They are run by a not-for-profit company called Talkies. That’s quite cool.

Getting around

I get around on my electric skateboard. You don’t see many around, but it’s quite a powerful thing — you can go up to about 40 mph. You have to have padding and the works on, so you look like a sort of robot, but it’s great, and I do it daily. I don’t drive. You can get to Moorgate in under half an hour from Palmers Green rail station.

The Triangle at the junction of Alderman's Hill & Green Lanes

Daniel Lynch

Dream street

I love the street we live on. There are lots of nice people, good families — it’s got a nice culture about it. I’ve got a house and a studio together, which is quite unusual too: we’re on a corner. I’m in the place I want to be.

Something you only see in Palmers Green

I’ve got a 16-foot graffitied rhino in the parking space outside my house. I made it many, many years ago. It goes off to exhibitions, gets painted different colours, and returns to the car space. At Halloween, we dress it up with lights. The rhino seems to have become a sort of icon in the area, the multi-coloured, magic rainbow rhino.

The graffitied rhino parked outside Finn’s house

Daniel Lynch

What’s the catch?

There are lots of cars parked everywhere — but that’s an issue everywhere.

In three words

Cosmopolitan. Cultural. Community.

Finn’s exhibition, Into the World of Finn Stone, is at Woolff Gallery, Charlotte Street, until Friday.

Finn with his rhino

Daniel Lynch

Schools

Bowes Primary School, rated outstanding, is the top choice nearby, while Hazelwood School, Walker Primary School and Tottenhall Infant School, all deemed good, are also popular options.

St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls, Ashmole Academy and Winchmore School are three of the top-rated secondaries nearby.