Situated in the heart of Ponders End, this largely-residential neighbourhood was once an industrial hub during the 19th and 20th centuries, with gas works being one of the central trades in this area. Now, many of these old buildings have received modern refurbishments and have become hubs for local businesses, restaurants, and shops - many of which line the high street. It is not all typically inner city living however, as the River Lea runs to the east, making for an uncannily quiet stroll along the banks.

Wright’s Flour Mill is the oldest working industrial building in Enfield, dating back to 1789. The site includes a Georgian miller’s house that is made of brick, with offices that line a 3 and a half storey water mill. The millstones were originally fed by the River Lea, but the water supply was cut off in 1913 in order to convert the machinery to electricity. The business is still owned by the Wright family to this day, making it the only family-owned flour mill in London.

The musician Jah Wobble was inspired to write his album ‘Mu’ (2005) based on his experiences in Ponders End. He was quoted saying “It’s as close as London gets to New Jersey. But it’s one of my favourite places for walking, through the Lee Valley. It gets beautiful in that urban way, but then you go through soap factories up near Ponders End. It’s got a wonderful, dislocated, alienated feeling”.

The transport links in this neighbourhood are relatively poor, due to the local railway services having to compete for space with faster services along the London-Cambridge-Stansted corridor. As a result, one service getting delayed causes a knock-on effect to all other services. Crossrail 2 will likely address this problem by expanding the rail network in this area.

The planned Crossrail 2 development in this area will bring 10-12 trains per hour through this neighbourhood, as well as improvements to accessibility by providing step-free access. Enfield Council has also proposed changes to the A1010 (Ponders End High Street) to provide a better space for pedestrians and cyclists, creating a safer environment for everybody whilst reducing congestion at the junction with Derby Road. As a result private developers are currently taking significant interest in the area. The largest of which is the Elements development by Countryside Properties which will comprise 993 new homes, transforming the existing 1960’s Alma Estate. On a smaller scale 54 affordable properties will be housed in two new buildings on Alma Rd near Ponders End Station.