Niddle Noddle

Is it possible for parent and child to love a shop equally? Eilidh Fraser and Katrine Camillo, the mums behind Crouch End’s newest arrival, know that happy kids mean happy parents. Their artfully-arranged shop is a giant magnet for all ages. Their trick? They have sourced an original mix of new and vintage toys, accessories and clothes and turned the shop into a huge playroom complete with a tubular yellow slide and mini kitchen. It’s a winner for everyone - while little Jackson and Ava are repeatedly hurling themselves down the slide, the grown-ups can enjoy a nostalgia trip browsing through old-fashioned spinning tops, retro Fisher Price TVs and mini wind-up toys. The space isn't huge – it’s about the size of a large front room – but it’s perfectly thought-out and everything here has been picked for love. The central table contains a kaleidoscopic array of tiny traditional toys like wooden poppa guns, magnetic dancers and sausage dog pens (brilliant party bag fodder). The rails either side contain a mix of whimsical, hard-to-get kids brands such as Elfie, a delightful London label specialising in ethereal velvet dresses and old-fashioned corduroy coats. Fraser and Camillo have made it their mission to provide stock you won’t fine everywhere else and that includes the numerous neighbouring kids’ shops in this Nappy Valley enclave. Don’t miss the home accessories like the novel fabric weather chart by Corby Tindersticks (you can velcro on the clouds, sun or rain to a fabric map) and a giant goose lamp (to order). Young or old, you’ll want to keep coming back.