Living
in Barnet

Barnet, a leafy borough in North London, was established in 1965 by merging parts of Middlesex and Hertfordshire. With a population of 389,344, it is London's second-most populous borough and one of its largest by land area.

The area has a deep history. Archaeologists have found first-century Roman pottery at Brockley Hill and Roman coins from the third and fourth centuries at Burnt Oak.

The borough was also the site of the Battle of Barnet in 1471, a major clash in the Wars of the Roses. In Monken Hadley, right on the borough's edge, Yorkist King Edward IV defeated the Lancastrian forces led by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, marking a turning point in the conflict.

Cultural Gems

Barnet offers a good range of local museums and arts venues.

The Barnet Museum on Wood Street is free to visit and houses a collection tracing local history from the Bronze Age to the present. The massive Royal Air Force Museum sits on part of the old Hendon Aerodrome site, showcasing historic aircraft and telling the story of the RAF.

For live performances, the Artsdepot in North Finchley puts on a regular schedule of music, comedy, and theatre, alongside community classes. Every two years, the Mill Hill Music Festival brings live jazz, classical, and rock performances to local venues.

For film lovers, the Art Deco Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley screens new releases alongside live broadcasts of opera and ballet. The borough is also home to two Grade I listed churches designed by Edwin Lutyens: the Church of St Jude with its tall spire, and the domed Free Church across Central Square.

Must-Visit Nature Spots

Residents have plenty of parks and open spaces to choose from. Monken Hadley Common, just north of High Barnet, is a quiet spot of woodland and common land with a fishing lake.

Stephens House & Gardens in Finchley has wooded walks, a rockery, and a bog garden that attracts woodpeckers, owls, and sparrowhawks.

For longer walks, the Dollis Valley Greenwalk is a 10-mile trail that runs from the green belt down to Hampstead Heath, following the Dollis Brook through woodlands and parks.

Seven of the borough's 16 main parks hold the Green Flag Award for quality. Popular choices include Childs Hill Park and Basing Hill Park in Childs Hill, Cherry Tree Wood in East Finchley, Mill Hill Park in Mill Hill, Sunny Hill Park in Hendon, Swan Lane Open Space in Whetstone, Tudor Sports Ground in New Barnet, and Victoria Park in Finchley Central.

Shops & Restaurants: Not To Miss

For dining out, Spizzico in High Barnet is a popular local choice for Mediterranean and Italian dishes. The Gate in Arkley is a classic pub known for its traditional Sunday roasts and steak pies.

In Finchley, Izakaya is a well-regarded spot for fresh sushi and sashimi.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the historic Barnet Market in Chipping Barnet has stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, flowers, and local baked goods.

For high street shopping, The Spires Shopping Centre on Barnet High Street has a selection of major retailers and independent boutiques. A short drive away, the Brent Cross Shopping Centre offers over 120 stores, including major brands like Apple and John Lewis.

Transport Connectivity

Barnet has excellent Underground and rail links. The Northern line runs directly through the borough, with Edgware, High Barnet, and Mill Hill East serving as major termini.

The High Barnet branch runs above ground from East Finchley up through West Finchley, Woodside Park, and Totteridge & Whetstone. The Edgware branch emerges at Golders Green and passes through Brent Cross and Hendon Central on its way to Edgware. Although the Piccadilly line is in the neighbouring Borough of Enfield, Barnet residents have easy bus connections to its stations.

National Rail services are also available. The Midland Main Line runs along the western border, with Thameslink trains stopping at Cricklewood, Hendon, and Mill Hill Broadway, providing fast services into the City and south to Blackfriars.

Health

NHS services in the borough are managed by the local clinical commission. Main medical facilities include the Barnet Hospital and Finchley Memorial Hospital, alongside Chase Farm Hospital just across the border in Enfield. Edgware Community Hospital also provides local walk-in and outpatient clinics.

Education

Schools & Colleges

Barnet is highly sought after by parents due to the quality of its schools. The borough has 86 primary schools, 22 secondary schools, and four special education schools.

For older students, Woodhouse College in North Finchley is a highly-rated sixth-form college. Further education is provided by Barnet College across several campuses.

Middlesex University has its main campus in Hendon, and University College London (UCL) runs a teaching observatory in Mill Hill.

Libraries

The borough has 15 public libraries, alongside a mobile library service and a dedicated local history archive on Chipping Barnet High Street.

Property Settings

The local property market includes both traditional suburban properties and modern developments, giving buyers a mix of period charm and modern energy efficiency.

New builds in the area vary from sleek apartments to larger family townhouses, often featuring high-specification kitchens, underfloor heating, and smart home technology.

Many new developments focus on green living. Popular schemes like Park Quarter, The Blenheim, High Barnet Place, Prospect Lodge, Equinox at 116 Cockfosters, and Quartoria are built close to green spaces, featuring communal gardens, play areas, and easy paths for cycling.