The London Borough of Enfield is not necessarily the best know part of London. Like other Outer London boroughs it is somewhat overshadowed by the central parts of London where all the tourist attractions and most of the historical landmarks are. However just like any other part of this great city it is worst getting to know.
Enfield is the northern most part of Greater London and borders with three other boroughs – Waltham Forest, Barnet and Haringey. It is one of the bigger boroughs in London both in terms of territory and population. Enfield covers 31.74 square miles and has an impressive 314 thousand permanent residents according the 2011 census.
It shares the name of the administrative center – Enfield Town, which appears in historical sources initially in the Domesday Book as “Enefelde”. There is certain dispute to how the Old English name translates but the two prevailing hypotheses are “open land of a man called Ēana” and “where lambs are reared”.
There are seventeen main areas, districts and settlements that make up Enfield borough:
- Arnos Grove – until the 30’s of the 20th century it was sparsely populated. It takes the name of a medieval family mentioned in 14th century documents. Today it is most notable for Arnos Park and its two churches – The Parish Church of Saint Paul and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church.
- Botany Bay – a small hamlet with a population of just two hundred people in the northernmost parts of Greater London. The village can interest visitors with a shop and a pub. There are a several local sports clubs – Botany Bay Cricket Club, Botany Bay Petanque Club and Old Garchonians Football Club.
- Brimsdown – its original name was “Grymesdoun”, which most likely comes from the surname Gryme and doun which means “elevated ground”. It is most notable for its watercourses.
- Bulls Cross – there are three main landmarks in this hamlet: the Capel Manor – home of Capel Manor College, Myddelton House and the small 18th century pub of Pied Bull.
- Crews Hill – this is a village in Enfield. The most interesting sites here are the golf course located in Whitewebbs Park and Whitewebbs Museum of Transport.
- Edmonton – one of the most multicultural parts of London with many place of interest. Worth noting are All Saints’Church and Salisbury House wyhich are the oldest building here, Millfield House and others.
- Enfield Highway – nature lovers will want to check out Durants Park. An interesting site are Wright’s Almshouses built by Charles Wright for six widows in the 19th century.
- Enfield Lock – local development began in the beginning of the 19th century with the opening of what was to be later known as Royal Small Arms Factory. However the modern area was built in 1922. It is part of Enfield Lock Conservation Area.
- Enfield Town – this is the heart of the borough. Here is most of the local commerce and the town centre underwent a large redevelopment effort which was finished in 2006.
- Enfield Wash – most interesting places here are the local parks. Albany Park was created in 1902, in memory of the late Prince Leopold – Queen Victoria’s youngest male child.
- Freezywater – the name comes from a farm that existed here in the 18th century. In the beginning of the 20th century here was constructed St George Chruch, which interestingly was built to replace a previous temporary iron church.
- Grange Park – this suburb emerged during the first decades of the 20th century in place of Enfield Old Park. Besides residential there is also a commercial area here.
- Hadley Wood – Trent Country Park is a combination of woodland, meadows and lakes. It used to be a hunting ground for the Tudors and the Stewarts. There is an annual fireworks display held on November 5th in Crescent East.
- Palmers Green – it is a typical London suburb mixing residential with commercial parts.
- Ponders End – the most important landmark here is Wright’s Flour Mill which is the oldest still operational industrial building in Enfield.
- Southgate – this area is not completely part of Enfield as its very western edge spills into Barnet. Interesting places here are the circular Southgate tube station and a number of parks, including Grovelands Park.
- Winchmore Hill – the center of local life is Winchmore Hill Green, around which most of the local commerce and food and drink establishments are centered.
Enfield has a lot to offer to the curious visitor. So why not spent the time you save using professional house clearance services in Enfield exploring this great London borough.
