Searching for that perfect blend of leafy village life and outdoors lifestyle while never letting go of London? Then the borough of Enfield and its range of lovely localities should be a serious contender for your next move
5 Reasons we love Enfield
- Beautiful country parks
- Stunning period homes
- Pretty London villages
- Great shopping facilities
- Fantastic central London travel connections
Under the Spotlight
The north London borough of Enfield is one with huge family appeal: a buzzing corner of the capital that offers a smaller town feel, two beautiful country parks, vast forest close by, popular museums and intriguing architecture. It’s an out-of-town delight, but with tube and Overground connections to the city centre in as little as 25 minutes. It’s a borough offering town and country lifestyles, and one with a range of new developments – opening up the area to young professionals and families looking for a balanced lifestyle; or a quieter and more affordable alternative to areas such as Seven Sisters, Crouch End and Finchley.
Enfield Town, at the centre of the borough, is home to a comprehensive high street and a great offering of facilities, and residents can also choose from a range of London’s favourite localities – including Winchmore Hill – for weekend strolls, cafe mornings and evenings out. Meanwhile, the 413 acres of beautiful Trent Country Park, nearby Whitewebbs Park, along with access to rolling countryside, satisfies the need for open green space.
There are several notable pockets of historic and interesting properties close to the town centre. The conservation area along Chase Side and Gentleman’s Row features plenty of pleasing 16-19th century properties, many of which are listed buildings. These charming homes, along with park and river views, help create the village feel this part of town is favoured for. The many wide, tree-lined streets in the area also give rise to plenty of well-sized family homes, including around Grange Park and the Forty Hall estate. As with any part of London, property is varied and interesting, with new build developments, low-rise 1960s apartment blocks and Victorian terraces blending seamlessly.
Enfield has the seventh highest population of the London boroughs, and its residents represent a wide range of cultures and nationalities. There are large Greek and Turkish communities; in fact 25% of all Turkish Cypriots in England and Wales live in Enfield. Popular residential areas include Enfield Town itself – liked for its vibrancy and convenience; Southgate – close to the parklands; and Bush Hill Park and Winchmore Hill – both known for their strong sense of community and opportunities to enjoy a peaceful suburban lifestyle.
FACT FILE
- Average property price in Enfield (Aug 2024) – £531,000
- Detached – £1,083,000
- Semi-detached – £702,000
- Terraced – £487,000
- Flats – £313,000
- *According to the Land Registry House Price Index
Out and About
Within the borough’s towns and parks, you can take your pick from quaint villages with farmers’ markets, long country walks, museum visits, water sports or urban shopping trips. Winchmore Hill, complete with a traditional village green, deli, cafe, pub and artisan cafes, is an upmarket enclave that’s a popular choice for laid-back outings. The King’s Head is a favourite for Sunday lunches, while coffee connoisseurs love Hopper and Bean. Try a hearty breakfast at Huddle Caffe and walk off the weekend at pretty Groveland’s Park and Gardens.
Family friendly days out are easy to come by in the borough. Whitewebbs Museum of Transport, housed in a Victorian water pumping station, has a fine selection of vehicles as well as memorabilia, models and toys, London buses and model railway. Stunning Forty Hall is a must-visit stately home in the north of the borough.
The beautiful Grade I listed Jacobean manor house sits within historic parkland and has a programme of events throughout the year. In Bush Hill Park, locals love Stanton’s coffee house, run by local brothers with a passion for their craft. For a cosy evening with delicious homemade pizza, Arte Pizza in Chase Side comes highly recommended, while closer to the town centre the Turkish restaurant Ada is a firm local favourite. This is the perfect area for enjoying the outdoors; starting with Trent Park, with fields, woodland, historic home and wildlife rescue centre. Lea Valley is a short drive, with sailing and rowing clubs and a white water centre.
Epping Forest and the Hertfordshire countryside are an easy 20 minute drive north, makes Enfield a true best-of-both worlds location. Enfield Town has a comprehensive offering of shops. The Palace Gardens and Exchange are home to big brands including TK Maxx, H&M, River Island and M&S. Enfield market sits at the heart of the town, and with an 800-year history, is well established indeed. Westfield Stratford City is easy to reach by public transport.
The fast rail links between Enfield and central London via tube, Overground and mainline trains play a big role in its popularity. The Piccadilly Line starts at Cockfosters station, so you’re guaranteed a seat, and tubes run direct to King’s Cross. From Enfield Chase, Great Northern services run to Moorgate in 36 minutes, or north to Stevenage and beyond. A choice of Overground stations will take you into Liverpool Street in 30 minutes, and also make travelling to the likes of Hackney Downs or Stratford very straightforward.
Famous Residents
- Singer Adele
- Actor Ray Winstone
- Poet John Keats
- Rapper Tion Wayne
- Singer Amy Winehouse
Homes on the Market
ENFIELD, OAKWOOD
Cassia from £105,000*
This stylish new development in Enfield is situated next to the woodland and meadows of Oakwood Park, offering the best of both worlds with easy access to central London but surrounded by natural beauty. The 30 one and two bedroom apartments are complemented by beautiful landscaped public spaces and feature sleek and contemporary design elements. These include Amtico flooring in the living room, hall and kitchen and wool-mix carpets in the bedrooms. Kitchens come with integrated appliances including an oven, hob, extractor fan, microwave, fridge-freezer and dishwasher. Washing machines are freestanding and are located in the utility cupboard. Each apartment also has its own private outside space, perfect for morning coffee or a sundowner at the end of a long day. There is also useful bike storage on the ground floor. Cassia is perfectly positioned with gyms, leisure centres, supermarkets, bars and cafes all close by, and for families there are two nurseries, schools and sports clubs offering academic and recreational opportunities for children of all ages. Transport is also very simple as Cassia is located between Oakwood and Southgate tube stations on the Piccadilly Line, from where it takes just over 30 minutes to reach central London.
newlonliving.co.uk/properties/cassia-oakwood-n14/
*Based on a 30% share with a full market value of £350,000
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