With a name like Woodside Park, it’s no surprise that this Barnet neighbourhood is a dream location for those who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to its south. The small garden suburb to the west of the rail tracks is made up of quaint interwar semis and a number of Victorian and large 1950s houses, some of which have been transformed into compact blocks of flats. It is also nestled beside the sprawling Darlands Lake Nature Reserve. The reserve is named after an ornamental lake that still exists today, and contains an extensive array of rare breeds that include birds, mammals, snakes, amphibians, fungi and invertebrates. While Woodside Park is lacking its own high streets, the nearby hubs of Finchley and North Finchley are just a short walk away and provide locals with convenient shops and cafes. Woodside Park station operates on the Northern line, and has made this area popular with commuting families, many of whom are part of North London’s Jewish and Japanese communities.

Originally part of an extensive estate, the area was almost entirely rural except for a couple of large manor houses up until the 19th century. Woodside House was built in 1840, and was bequeathed as a lady’s retirement home in 1872, the same year that Woodside Park station opened. The station spurred local development, particularly from Henry Holden who laid out residential streets near to it now known as the Woodside Estate. Soon a golf club emerged, quickly followed by the nucleus of the Garden Suburb in 1933 which continued to expand up until the 1960s. After a period of decline, the 1990s saw a resurgence of popularity, with over three-quarters of households joining the residents’ association, and the residential, community spirit returning to how it was originally envisaged.

On the Cissbury Ring North at the heart of the garden suburb, there is a sign that reads “On this spot, in 1832, nothing happened”, which perhaps rather perfectly encapsulated the area’s history pre-1840. The suburb was also once home to the Irish comedian, Spike Milligan (1918-2002), who lived at 127 Holden Road, and is commemorated with a blue plaque.

While the garden suburb may be ideal for some who wish to remain in what seems like a rural village, while living within touching distance of the big city, for others it can feel rather isolating. However, with the tube so nearby it is easy to get into town.

The whole borough of Barnet is currently going through significant regeneration and is in the process of building 30,000 new homes within its boundaries, which will have a direct impact on the neighbourhood. A master plan for the further development of North Finchley town centre is included in this target and is expected to have knock-on effects on Woodside park, attracting developers to the area. The Woodside Park development on Station Approach is arguably part of this increased recent interest, comprising 86 new flats across two four-storey buildings.