Woodside Park, Finchley
| Woodside Park | |
| Hertfordshire, Middlesex | |
|---|---|
 Houses on Arlington, Woodside Park | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ256925 |
| Location: | 51°37’1"N, 0°11’6"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | London |
| Postcode: | N12 |
| Dialling code: | 020 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Barnet |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Chipping Barnet |
Woodside Park is a suburban residential area spreading across the border of Middlesex with Hertfordshire, to the west of North Finchley. It stands across the Dollis Brook from Finchley, and is cut in two by the Folly Brook, which forms the county border: the northern part, in Hertfordshire, is contiguous with Totteridge and the larger, southern part gathers around the road from Mill Hill to Finchley.
The Middlesex Greenway and Middlesex Border Walk cross a farm here and go on through the village.
Description
The area to the east of Woodside Park tube station consists predominantly of large Victorian and Edwardian houses, many of which have been converted into flats. The area also features Woodside Park Synagogue and a Jewish school operating from the synagogue.
The Hertfordshire parts of the area, sometimes called Woodside Park Garden Suburb, consist of semi-detached or detached 3 to 4 bedroom houses built in the 1950s. It includes the Woodside Park Club. South of the Folly Brook in Middlesex is Woodside Park Garden Suburb proper, an area of 1920s and 1930s houses, where all but one of the roads (Linkside) are named after places in Sussex, the home county of the developer, Fred Ingram.
Between the Garden Suburb and the Northern line is an area originally of Victorian housing. Many of the houses, including the former residence of Spike Milligan (now marked by a blue plaque placed in 2004.
Sussex Ring is a small commercial area situated around the mini roundabout at Chanctonbury Way, formerly the primary shopping hub of Woodside Park in North London. Initially, it provided essential services, including a post office, butcher, and ironmonger, catering to the needs of the local community.
Following the development of the North Finchley shopping parade, many of Sussex Ring's original shops closed and were replaced by more specialised businesses. Despite this shift, Sussex Ring remains a focal point for the local community. It hosts a selection of cafés, hair salons, and beauty services, maintaining its role as a social gathering spot.
Community events, such as traditional Christmas carol singing, are frequently held at Sussex Ring, reinforcing its significance as a local meeting place.
History
A house of special interest is Woodside Grange, built in the late 19th century.[1] Pevsner describes it as: "Battlemented, with an irregular E entrance front of 3-2-2 bays, with stair tower rising behind."[1] It was built by James Turle as a home and consultancy, and later owned by Sir Arthur Douglas Derry, the owner of Derry and Toms store. In 1927, it was acquired by the Finchley Catholic Grammar School.[2]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Woodside Park, Finchley) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of England: Hertfordshire, 1953; 1977 Penguin Books ISBN 0300096534page 125
- ↑ A P Baggs, Diane K Bolton, M A Hicks and R B Pugh. "Finchley: Education," in A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6, Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey With Highgate, ed. T F T Baker and C R Elrington (London: Victoria County History, 1980), 91-97. British History Online, accessed February 19, 2021.