Cockfosters: A leafy and upmarket gem in the heart of London

Cockfosters is a quiet leafy suburb of North London, which lies partly in Enfield and in Barnet. 

Here, you won't see wild parties and all-night raves, but you will find a lot of pleasant green spaces, a traditional English pub, gourmet restaurants and tight-knit communities.

This makes it ideal for young families, professionals and older people. In many ways, Cockfosters is a bit of an oasis away from the usual hustle and bustle of London.

You also have many ancient buildings and architecture in the area, which is a testament to its long and colourful history.

Even the Tube station is considered to be a little gem, due to its interesting design.

The suburb is also well-known for its arts and theatre scenes, and is home to the Chickenshed Theatre Company. As the name suggests, the company was first founded in a chicken shed in 1975, before moving to its current site in Chase Side.

The theatre is renowned not only for its productions, but also its inclusive philosophy, which allows anyone, regardless of background, race, gender, age or disability, to watch or participate in shows.

While the surrounding areas such as Barnet and Enfield are themselves notable for their diversity and urban spirit, Cockfosters is the little treasure in between the two that puts a smile on your face.

Its popularity comes from its serenity, rich heritage and laid-back lifestyle. In a nutshell, Cockfosters sits proudly on the edge of London with good parks, excellent schools, quick access to the countryside, and yet still within easy commuting distance of the West End and the City.

It is also within striking distance of both the North Circular and the M25.

Transport

Like most areas of London, Cockfosters is served by regular bus and Tube services.

Getting into the City of London is relatively easy and quick, and its many bus routes allow you to travel around to different parts of the city fairly efficiently.

Cockfosters station

As mentioned before, Cockfosters station is a sight to see in itself. It, along with some of the other Tube Stations in the city, was designed by a man called Charles Holden who worked in what is now considered the 'golden age' of transport design.

It stands as a fusion between modern, industrial architecture but with an art deco slant.

Properties

The area is popular among the middle classes and very wealthy. This is predominantly because of its large mansions and family houses.

It is also well served by a number of terraced houses and flats for those on a lower income.

Many of the properties in the area were built around the 1930s, after the arrival of the Tube and the opening of the North Circular Road.

They come in all shapes and sizes and cater to every need and budget. In addition, the suburb also includes other types of property, such as Tudor semis, detached mansions, and more humble terraced accommodation.

It also contains an interesting mix of Victorian cottages, Georgian houses, and Edwardian homes.

Then you have areas such as Hadley Wood, which is just a stone's throw from Cockfosters.

It is known for its large Victorian houses and its popularity among famous pop stars, footballers and TV personalities.

There is also an exclusive development along Cockfosters road, which has a large selection of new houses and VIP developments.

Most of the top private schools in North London and Hertfordshire operate a coach service to the area.

Trent Park

It would be almost sacrilegious not to mention Trent Park in a guide about Cockfosters. It is a lovely, sprawling 169 hectare country park, which includes lakes and a golf course.

This area of Cockfosters alone has a long and rich history. It was formerly a camp for prisoners of war during World War II.

German officers and generals were kept there and although they were treated hospitably, the mansion in which they stayed in was fitted with hidden microphones and listening devices that were used for surveillance purposes.

The park was also once the property of the royal family and is a fantastic site for walking, jogging and cycling.

It is surrounded by woodlands that are sometimes used to host 'spooky walks' for families and children.

Things to do and places to go

The Cock and Dragon pub is one of the most notable in the area. As well as giving you a taste of the traditional, English pub, it also doubles up as a Thai restaurant.

It is, however, notoriously difficult to find, but highly popular among the locals.

If you travel along Cockfosters road, you will find many cafés, eateries, bars, shops and amenities, which cater to different tastes and requirements.

Two of the best places are the Miracle Café and the Moonlight café, which both serve very generous portions of food, but with prices that are reflective of the affluent residents that usually eat in them.

Conclusion 

If you would prefer to live in a quiet and affluent area of London, with vast green landscapes and plenty of local resources, then you will love Cockfosters.

It is ideal for the modern, professional family, with a little bit of money to spare. If you enjoy long walks in the countryside, and eating good food in quaint, British pubs and eateries, then you will almost certainly appreciate the area.

Published 4th July, 2014

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