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There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your favourite local spot change from a hidden gem to a tourist-filled nightmare, as more people catch onto its charm.
In the age of social media, this can happen seemingly overnight, thanks to recommendations spreading like wildfire on TikTok and Instagram
A recent victim of this trend is Queen’s Wood Cafe community cafe nestled in Highgate, north London.
Once a quiet place to relax amid the woodlands, the small wooden hut has seen hundreds of social media recommendations over the past few weeks.
TikTokers have declared it ‘London’s most magical cafe’, with some claiming it’s ‘like stepping back in time’.
However, the quiet spot is now very much on the radar, with locals complaining it’s been ‘ruined’ and is no longer a hidden gem.
Laura Colciago recently shared her visit on TikTok, revealing a queue that extends well beyond the cafe’s porch and snakes its way into the forest.
In the caption of the video, the TikTok user wrote: ‘Once a hidden gem, now just another Instagram-fuelled queue. The charming Highgate cafe is now just another social media hotspot – such a shame.’
The short clip has received over 690,000 views and hundreds of comments, with locals equally frustrated.
One user, lomakesmagic, wrote: ‘Crying because this is down the street from me and was always dead. Please let north London have something.’
‘I’m furious,’ said another. ‘This was my happy place, like my most sacred little corner of the earth for years.’
A third, fernbs1, added: ‘Thank you so much for highlighting this. This is my local cafe where I walk the dog and now I can’t use it because it is always full. It never used to be like this.’
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Some questioned the ‘point’ of standing in such a long queue, while z.2148 claimed: ‘TikTok has ruined London food culture.’
‘The whole charm of this was that it was a cosy spot,’ lou_d, wrote. ‘Even if you get a seat, it won’t be relaxing having queued all that time.’
Yet there were some users who were happier others had discovered the spot, including JustLou who wrote: ‘It’s a beautiful place to visit, I’m pleased others have found this little piece of happiness in amongst the stress of life.’
‘Sorry locals but doesn’t everyone else deserve to enjoy a nice spot?’ questioned ooshkaaa, along with those who claimed the traction might bring ‘great business’ for the owners.
Queen’s Wood Cafe was set up as a community hub over 20 years ago, according to its website.
It boasts a ‘range of wholesome homemade food and pastries baked fresh daily, as well as events, therapy sessions and a tranquil place to hang out.’
Metro has contacted the cafe for comment.
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