Winchmore Hill: Mansions off the green

Once a small Anglo-Saxon hamlet, Winchmore Hill is now a firmly established enclave of the borough of Enfield. Despite this, it still maintains a strong sense of the village it was in centuries gone by, with a strong sense of community to match its green spaces and impressive array of historic buildings.

Location and transport

Winchmore Hill is about nine miles north of Charing Cross, making it an ideal location for commuters and families alike. It is part of a conservation area, and as such is largely unspoilt.

Winchmore Hill station is located in travel zone four and is a stopping point for regular services to Moorgate during the working week, and King’s Cross at other times. If you want to get out of London, trains in the opposite direction go to Letchworth Garden City via Stevenage.

In terms of Underground stations, both Southgate and Oakwood are nearby and on the Piccadilly line, although Oakwood is in zone five, so may not be the stop of choice for the thrifty.

There are also regular bus services in the area.

History

There has been a settlement on the site of modern-day Winchmore Hill since before the Roman invasion led by Julius Caesar. The Catuvellauni tribe are believed to have constructed a hill fort on the mound that is now occupied by Bush Hill Park Golf Club. In time, it evolved in a small sleepy hamlet throughout the middle ages and beyond.

It did not expand until the arrival of the railway in 1871, when it became popular with the middle classes and wealthy professionals.

The oldest religious building is the Quaker Meeting House, which was originally constructed in 1689 and rebuilt in 1790. A number of famous people are buried in its graveyard, including abolitionist campaigner Samuel Hoare members of the Barclay banking dynasty, and Luke Howard, often regarded as the father of modern meteorology.

In the present day, the infamous Priory Clinic is situated in Winchmore Hill, and is well-known for treating the rich and famous. The highest-profile visitor to this branch is probably Chilean dictator General Pinochet, who stayed here while awaiting trial by the Spanish government for human rights violations.

Amenities

In terms of schools, both St Paul’s Church of England Primary School and Latymer School have outstanding ratings from Ofsted. A number of other schools in the area (both primary and secondary) are also ranked good. For those who are considering the independent route, there is the choice of Keble Preparatory School, Grange Park Preparatory School and the historic Palmers Green High School.

The Green Dragon is the oldest pub in the area (it is believed to have opened in 1726) and remains a local institution to this day. There are plenty of other restaurants, pubs and shops, meaning that you can get most of what you need without leaving the area. Of particular note are the Greek and Turkish cafes, supermarkets and eateries, which are popular with locals and visitors alike.

Housing

Most of the houses in Winchmore Hill date from the early 20th century, and come with plenty of room and spacious gardens. While the rents tend to be slightly higher than the London average, the size of the properties and the advantages of the location tend to make this a small price to pay.

However, if you’ve got your heart set on one of the glamorous 1920s mansions along the highly fashionable Broad Walk, you’ll definitely need a big wallet to match.
Overall, the area’s colourful history, great transport links and local character makes Winchmore Hill a strong contender, particularly for young families who want to escape the big city while still maintaining the option of commuting.

Published 10th March, 2015

© 2015 Estates IT Limited