This neighbourhood area corresponds to the Burnt Oak area, situated in between the A5 and the M1, south of Edgware and north of Colindale. The area is comprised mostly of interwar suburban council housing, laid out in a more sprawling pattern than its neighbouring areas, partially attributed to the two streams running through the neighbourhood. Dean’s Brook runs alongside the railway line, making the western boundary; while Silk Stream comes via the northeast, and footpaths along its banks connect with Watling Park and Silkstream Park, as well as Montrose Playing Fields to the south and Lyndhurst Park to the north. The area’s character is unique, being built as a massive council estate in the 20s; it is built-up near Edgware, with Edgware Community Hospital to the west of the neighbourhood, alongside some stores on the high street (Burnt Oak Broadway), and Burnt Oak underground station. The rest of the area is far greener than its surrounding neighbourhoods, with the exception of Mill Hill to the east, though this is neighbourhood is separated by the M1.

There is evidence dating back to Roman times of human inhabitation in the Burnt Oak area, with a Roman rubbish pit dating to 300 CE being found. The area was largely agricultural land up to the 1830s, when a workhouse was built; the workhouse’s infirmary is today Edgware community hospital. A school soon followed the workhouse. Even with these developments, the area still retained its rural character up to 1924. The Watling Estate, a local authority housing project, was completed in 1930 with provisions for green spaces, a choice still seen today.

Jack Cohen started selling groceries from a stall in East London in 1919, making a £1 profit on his first day. Fast forward five years, and the enterprising grocer would open his first store in Burnt Oak after buying a shipment of tea from Mr. T. E. Stockwell. Perhaps dedicating more time to his business than its name, he took the initials of Mr. Stockwell, TES, tacked on an extra syllable, and Tesco was born. Cohen would work to build his company his whole life, making it the fourth largest chain in the UK by 1968.

The Watling Estate’s lowest rent (for a two-room flat) was just over 50p a week when it first opened; a five-room home’s rent was £1.44. The Estate was a testing ground for architectural styles, with some Garden City influences, as well as (initially) some timber homes, supplied with 12 feet of rubber hose due to limited fire services at the time.

Burnt Oak was the subject of a West-End play by Laurence Lynch, who was born in the neighbourhood. Called Burnt Oak: Life and Death in a London Town, it depicts a dysfunctional family on a council estate, and plays out their hardships and ambitions.

Burnt Oak is one of the poorer parts of Barnet, and its reputation has crept into the news now and again. However, this in part derives from the excellent medical facilities in the area (Burnt Oak has the borough’s highest proportion of disabled people). Adding to the physical environment are the many parks, as previously mentioned. Residents also point to a distinct, old-fashioned working-class community, increasingly uncommon in North London.

The Burnt Oak area has received targeted attention for numerous regeneration efforts by the local council. In particular, the Burnt Oak and Colindale Growth Area. Colindale, which sits slightly south of here has received significant attention from Brent council in recent years, quickly transforming into a modern suburb characterised by towering apartment buildings, with 25,000 additional homes set to be completed in the next few years. In Burnt Oak itself, access to the station will also be improved, and along with it the high street. Nearby, Neon is an example of a recently completed private development comprising 76 affordable rent and Shared Ownership units. This is set to be joined by Edgwarebury Manor, which will be a 137 unit private gated residential development upon completion later in 2023.