London through its charity shops #20: Crouch End

Crouch End, N8, has many similarities to its nearby cousin Muswell Hill (no tube, posh) but is possibly cooler. After all, Bob Dylan came to Banners, a funky cafe, and had a burger here (this was in the 1990s when Dylan was working with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, who had a music studio in the area). Stephen King wrote a Lovecraftian short story called Crouch End. Shaun of the Dead was filmed here (and in Muswell Hill). Expect lots of yummy mummies, costly coffee shops galore and a cool record shop.

Oxfam Books & Music, opposite Banners, is great; spacious, interesting and full of books, records, CDs, magazines and comics. A pleasure to spend half an hour browsing in. A cramped Cancer Research is quite good; occasionally they have decent CDs and records; plenty of handbags and women's shoes. North London Hospice, where I was accidentally attacked with a coat hanger (don't ask), is okay if tatty. Marie Curie is quite pleasant. Has some records. There's a cool and funky RSPCA. Also has records. The London Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy is like a jumble sale but quite interesting, with loads of books.