The Church End section of Finchley is a quiet suburban neighbourhood nestled in the southern section of the borough of Barnet. Aside from the tree lined streets with countless quaint Tudor-style homes, families are especially drawn to the neighbourhood for its plethora of green space and great school options. A typical weekend will bring residents to Avenue House Grounds for a picnic, Stephens House and Gardens to indulge in the area’s history, or - for the more active ones - to Dollis Brook for a jog. While the neighbourhood can feel a bit quiet and family- oriented, there are still plenty of spots to grab food and drink, as well as numerous transport options to conveniently travel to other areas. Whether it’s the delicious pastries from Finchley Fancy Cakes or an extravagant Persian feast at Tehran Lounge, there’s really something for everyone here.

This neighbourhood dates back to the 13th century, when the parish church of St Mary-at-Finchley settled in the area. The area stayed largely rural until the 19th century, when Regent’s Park Road was built through the locality. Later on, when the railway arrived in 1867, housing development picked up in the area. Today, the area is a favourite suburban alternative to Central London, attracting a diverse population of families - many of which are from Jewish and Indian communities.

The historic Stephens House is now a beloved local museum. However, before Barnet Council purchased the building, it had quite the interesting past. Over the years, it has served as a public library, a voluntary aid hospital, and even the offices for the former Finchley Borough!

Unfortunately, despite overall low crime rates in the neighbourhood, the number of burglary cases are high for the borough. Still, residents feel extremely safe in the area and enjoy living in this tightly knit suburban community.

Barnet Council approved plans to build a new 43-unit housing development near East Finchley tube station a couple of years ago. However, these plans were seen off by residents looking to maintain their area’s leafy character meaning the development will not go ahead. East Finchley is therefore unusual in London because of the ability of the community to see off unwanted development. However, there are some smaller schemes that have managed to slip through in this postcode. Park Place, at 193-195 Ballards Lane is a residential-led development comprising 41 new flats. In the coming years, Barnet Council will be investing in the town centre within Finchley, encouraging new retail and civic buildings.