This neighbourhood area of North Colindale is situated in the northwestern borough of Barnet, squeezed between Burnt Oak and the rumbling M1. The area has been relatively unknown for much of its life, but has undergone major development and regeneration that is slowly putting it on the London property map. The locality is home to numerous museums, including the Royal Air Force Museum and the Museum of Domestic Design, as well as the quaint Colindale Park, which is perfect for kids and relaxing in the summer. The neighbourhood has a smattering of boutiques and restaurants, including the popular Di Princi, an Italian restaurant that offers a menu focusing on the different regions of Italy. With its own local Northern line station, Colindale has become home to many working professionals and families who want to get more bang for their buck, and are attracted to the neighbourhood’s bright future and distance from the hustle and bustle of the inner city.

The neighbourhood initially started as a dale between Mill Hill and The Burroughs and was named after a 16th-century family of the same name. Colindale was mostly houseless, with the exception of Colindale Lodge and a few select cottages, up until the 19th century, when it became an attractive proposition for developers thanks to the low land prices. Also at this time, aircraft manufacturing and pilot training began to dominate the area – and these activities multiplied after the outbreak of the First World War, with associated industries attracted by government intervention. After its establishment in 1918, the Royal Air Force flew from the Hendon aerodrome, which the government acquired in 1925, cementing this area’s importance as an aviation hub.

The Public Health England, which is located in this neighbourhood, operates specialist and reference microbiology services and infectious disease surveillance, including outbreak investigation. Also, the company Frigidaire started in a wooden shack in Aerodrome Road and sold the first automatic household fridges in England.

One of the downsides of this neighbourhood area is that it can be seen as a bit bleak and industrial thanks to its outer London atmosphere and proximity to the M1. There are also some retail warehouses and car showrooms set along the A5 corridor that add to this feeling. However, new development and regeneration should help fix this problem.

Colindale has recently been identified as an area for growth by the local council. The plan sets out a goal of at least 10,000 new homes by 2036, as well plenty of new mixed-use developments and new economic activity, created in the form of ground floor commercial frontage. Colindale Gardens, an ongoing development by Redrow in the area, is a highly ambitious multi-phase development intending to deliver 4,100 new homes to the area. Set across 47 acres, a fifth of the land in this new neighbourhood is dedicated to open green spaces for residents and the surrounding community to enjoy, including communal gardens, cycle-paths, walkways, and attractive landscaping. All residents of the newly launched homes will also have access to a 24-hour concierge and outdoor play areas and exercise equipment. While the project is not fully completed, apartments are being released to the public market in batches, with a recent launch of 56 apartments in April 2022.