From the longer Wikipedia page [1]
Crouch End is in a valley between Harringay to the east, Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Wood Green to the north, Finsbury Park and Archway to the south and Highgate to the west. Crouch End - the prosaic name is said to come from the Latin 'crux', a cross or crossroads, plus 'End', as it is at the eastern end of a valley. Where the clock tower is was once a local house called Crouch Hall.
To the immediate west, it is bounded by Highgate Wood, and the adjacent Queen's Wood, as well as a large expanse of playing fields. To the north is Alexandra Park and to the south Finsbury Park. The Parkland Walk, a former railway line, connects these two parks. Other parks in the area include Stationers' Park, Priory Park and Crouch Hill Park.
History[]
Crouch End grew up as a hamlet on the old medieval route from London to the north. At this time it was governed as part of Hornsey which became a parish in around 1300. This heavily-wooded area contained farms and villas, one of which was Crouch Hall, probably built in 1681 at the crossroads of what came to be known as Crouch End. Crouch End remained rural until around 1880.
Notable buildings include Hornsey Town Hall.
See also Crouch End Station