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Coordinates: 51°35′25″N 0°10′31″W / 51.59016°N 0.17534°W / 51.59016; -0.17534
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{{More citations needed|date=September 2008}}
{{infobox UK place|
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
|official_name= East Finchley
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
|london_borough= Barnet
{{For|the Frank Turner song|East Finchley (song){{!}}"East Finchley" (song)}}
|region= London
{{Infobox UK place
|country = England
|map_type = Greater London
| official_name = East Finchley
|latitude= 51.59016
| country = England
|longitude= -0.17534
| region = London
| static_image_name = {{Photomontage |border=0 |size=220 |spacing=2 |color=none |photo1a=East Finchley Station - geograph.org.uk - 909900.jpg|photo2a=Holy Trinity Church (geograph 2365077).jpg |photo2b=Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley 11.jpg |photo3a=Cherry tree woods finchley.JPG }}
|constituency_westminster=[[Finchley and Golders Green (UK Parliament constituency)|Finchley & Golders Green]]
| static_image_caption = Clockwise from top: East Finchley Underground Station, Phoenix Cinema, Cherry Tree Woods, and Holy Trinity Church
|post_town= LONDON
| population = 15,989
|postcode_area= N
| population_ref = (2011 Census.Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13688556&c=East+Finchley&d=14&e=62&g=6318146&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476888713687&enc=1|title=Barnet Ward population 2011|access-date=19 October 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics|archive-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021060517/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13688556&c=East+Finchley&d=14&e=62&g=6318146&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476888713687&enc=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|postcode_district= N2
|dial_code= 020
| os_grid_reference = TQ265895
| map_type = Greater London
|os_grid_reference= TQ265895
|static_image= [[File:East finchley high rd.JPG|230px]]
| post_town = LONDON
| postcode_area = N
|static_image_caption= East Finchley High Road looking south towards the tube station
| postcode_district = N2
| dial_code = 020
| constituency_westminster = [[Finchley and Golders Green (UK Parliament constituency)|Finchley & Golders Green]]
| london_direction = North
| charingX_distance_mi = 5.75
| london_borough = Barnet
| coordinates = {{coord|51.59016|-0.17534|display=inline,title}}
}}
}}


'''East Finchley''' is an area in North [[London]], immediately north of [[Hampstead Heath]]. Like neighbouring [[Muswell Hill]], it straddles the London Boroughs of [[London Borough of Barnet|Barnet]] and [[London Borough of Haringey|Haringey]], with most of East Finchley falling into the London Borough of Barnet. It has the greenest high road in London.{{cn|date=June 2022}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2008}}


'''East Finchley''' is a suburb in the [[London Borough of Barnet]], in north [[London]], and situated {{convert|5.4|mi|km|1}} north-west of [[Charing Cross]]. Geographically it is somewhat separate from the rest of [[Finchley]], with [[North Finchley]] and [[West Finchley]] to the north, and [[Finchley Central]] to the west.
East Finchley is situated {{convert|5.4|mi|km|1}} northwest of [[Charing Cross]]. Geographically, it is separated from the rest of [[Finchley]] by the [[North Circular Road, London|North Circular]], with [[North Finchley]] and [[West Finchley]] to the north, and [[Church End, Barnet|Finchley Central]] (Church End) to the northwest.


East Finchley (East End) was first mentioned in 1365, when it formed a scattered hamlet, but by 1860 it was the most populous part of Finchley. Badly bombed during [[World War II|World War 2]], and with the subsequent rebuilding, the street pattern of the Old Village was destroyed. However, the area retains a strong community feeling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol6/pp38-55|title=Finchley: Introduction {{!}} British History Online|website=British-history.ac.uk|access-date=2019-05-07}}</ref>
== History ==
{{Main|History of East Finchley}}


The area collectively named [[Finchley]], which included East Finchley (East End), Finchley Central (Church End) and North Finchley, was a parish until its incorporation into the ancient county of [[Middlesex]] in 1878; Finchley was incorporated into Greater London in 1965.
The land on which East Finchley now stands was once part of the [[Bishop of London]]'s hunting ground. More recently, it was home to some grand 'country' estates of wealthy Londoners, from which several roads take their names (e.g. ''Summerlee'' Avenue, ''Park Hall'' Road). The suburb began to be developed in the 1890s.
Although most of East Finchley falls into the parliamentary constituency of [[Finchley and Golders Green]], East Finchley is a village in its own right, and not considered to be part of the town of Finchley.


== History ==
Chambers London Gazetteer reports that at one time East Finchley was referred to as the "East End". However, this name faded away and now only refers to the more famous "East End of London" to the east of Central London the 1890s onwards.
[[File:East Finchley High Road geograph-3385868-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|left|East Finchley High Road in 1962]]
The land on which most of East Finchley now stands was once part of the [[Bishop of London]]'s hunting ground, to the south of [[Finchley Common]], first recorded around 1400. The Bishop of London built a road through his land, named The Bishop's Avenue, which still exists today. Another road extended further north, weaving through what is now Market Place, The Walks, King Street, and Oak Lane. As a result, pubs such as The Old White Lion, The Bald Faced Stag, and The Five Bells (on East End Road), all of which survive today, sprang up to provide rest for the people using the road.


The area of "East Finchley Old Village" around Church Lane was west of the common and Bulls Lane (now Church Lane) dates back to at least the 17th century. With the coming of the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]] in 1868, the area began to emerge, and the property was built gradually between the 1870s and the 1930s. However, it was not until 1914 that a more recognisable East Finchley High Road and surrounding area was visible.
==Geography==


== Governance ==
{{Geographic Location
From around 1547 Finchley had a parish [[vestry]], which became a local board in 1878, an [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|urban district council]] in 1895, and finally a [[municipal borough]] council between 1933 and 1965. The area is now part of the [[London Borough of Barnet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22506|title=Finchley Finchley Local government|last=Baker|first=T F T|author2=C R Elrington|year=1980|publisher=British History Online|access-date=21 September 2009}}</ref>
|title = '''Neighbouring areas'''

|Northwest = [[Church End Finchley]]
From 1959 to 1992 the [[Finchley (UK Parliament constituency)|Finchley constituency]] was [[United Kingdom constituencies|represented in Parliament]] by [[Margaret Thatcher]], UK [[Prime Minister]] from 1979 to 1990.<ref name="thatcher">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/thatcher_margaret.shtml|title=Historic Figures Margaret Thatcher (1925 - )|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 April 2009}}</ref> Finchley is now included in the new constituency of [[Finchley and Golders Green (UK Parliament constituency)|Finchley and Golders Green]], currently represented by a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] Member of Parliament. East Finchley ward is represented on Barnet Council by three elected [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] Councillors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=TABLE&PIC=1|title = Your Councillors|website=Barnet.moderngov.co.uk|date = 31 August 2021}}</ref>
|North = [[North Finchley]]
|Northeast = [[Friern Barnet]]
|West = [[Temple Fortune]]
|Centre = East Finchley
|East = [[Muswell Hill]]
|Southwest = [[Hampstead Garden Suburb]]
|South = [[Highgate]]
|Southeast = [[Fortis Green]]
}}


== Transport ==
== Transport ==
[[File:East Finchley tube station (3).jpg|thumb|left|East Finchley Southbound Platform]]
[[East Finchley tube station|East Finchley Underground station]] is marked by a well-known statue of an archer by [[Eric Aumonier]] in the [[Art Deco]] style. The archer is pointing his arrow towards the entrance to the tunnel which starts south of the station and runs for {{convert|17.3|mi|km|1}} to the end of the [[Northern line]] at [[Morden]]. For many years this was the longest tunnel in the world. There was allegedly an arrow at [[Morden tube station|Morden Station]] to match the archer at East Finchley, that was stolen a few months after the station was opened. However, East Finchley was not served by the Underground until 1939 and the statue was not erected until 1940.


The station is on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line which serves the city (via [[Bank and Monument stations|Bank]]) and the west end (via [[Charing Cross tube station|Charing Cross]]) with trains every 2–3 minutes. Buses also serve the high street with the 263 route going from [[Barnet Hospital]] to [[Highbury|Highbury Barn]]; the 143 bus linking East Finchley to [[Archway tube station|Archway, London]] and [[Brent Cross]]; the 102 from [[Edmonton Green railway station|Edmonton Green]], the 234 serving [[The Spires Shopping Centre|Barnet, The Spires]] from [[Highgate Wood]] and the 603 running between Swiss Cottage and Muswell Hill.
[[East Finchley tube station]] is marked by a well-known statue of an archer by [[Eric Aumonier]] in the [[Art Deco]] style, and pointing his arrow towards the opening of the tunnel which starts south of the station and runs all the way to the end of the [[Northern Line]] at [[Morden]]. This {{convert|17.3|mi|km|1}} long tunnel was for many years the longest in the world. There was originally an arrow at [[Morden tube station|Morden Station]] to match the archer at East Finchley, but this was stolen not long after the station was opened.


== Amenities and features==
== Housing ==
[[File:phoenix cinema.JPG|thumb|The Phoenix Cinema]]
[[File:Houses in East Finchley.jpg|thumb|19th century terraced housing]]
Housing in East Finchley is diverse in its nature, encompassing many housing styles, from 19th-century terraced housing, large 30s houses, and multimillion-pound mansions on [[The Bishop's Avenue]]. The three eleven-storey tower blocks of Prospect Ring & Norfolk Close are visible for miles around. A further even taller towerblock in Prospect Ring was completed in 2021.
The independent [[Phoenix Cinema]] (once called the ''Rex'') is located on the High Road, and regularly shows films with more individual appeal than is the case with the cinema chains. It is the oldest purpose-built cinema in the UK (the only older ones having started life as theatres). [[Time Out]], the arts magazine, describes the ''Phoenix'' as the best single-screen cinema in London.


== Schools ==
There is a listed [[Georgian architecture|Neo-Georgian]] public library located on the High Road opposite Church Lane. Behind the library are some award winning [[allotments]], owned by Barnet Council. Adjacent to these are the Fuelland allotments which are held in trust. The massive [[St. Pancras and Islington Cemetery]] is located on the High Road. Established in 1854, it is the oldest municipal cemetery in London and the largest. The Victorian painter [[Ford Madox Brown]] is buried there. [[Hampstead Garden Suburb]] Institute is located in new facilities in East Finchley and offers a range of educational courses. Opposite the tube station is [[Cherry Tree Wood]], approx. 4.5 [[Hectare|ha]] in size, and contains both woodland and grassland. Nearby parks include [[Coldfall wood]] to the north, and [[Highgate Wood]], [[Queens Wood]] and [[Hampstead Heath]] to the south.
Only one state [[primary school]], Martin Primary School<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.martinprimary.org.uk/|title=Home &#124; Martin Primary School|website=Martinprimary.org.uk|access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref> (Ofsted outstanding) is situated in East Finchley itself, but the east and southern parts of N2 are covered by the catchment of Tetherdown, Coldfall and Highgate Primary Schools (all within the [[London Borough of Haringey]]). Pupils on the west side of the village attend Brookland Infant and Junior Schools which adjoin Christ's College. There are two faith primary schools - Holy Trinity (CofE), and Eden Primary School (Jewish).


East Finchley is home to two mixed non-selective non-denominational [[secondary schools]] - Archer Academy (opened 2013) and [[Christ's College, East Finchley|Christ's College]] (mixed, as of 2018) and a mixed Roman Catholic secondary school - [[Bishop Douglass Catholic School]]. Pupils on the east ([[Muswell Hill]]) side of the village also attend [[Fortismere School]] (mixed comprehensive, which falls under the [[London Borough of Haringey]] Local Education Authority).
== Housing ==


==Demography==
Housing in East Finchley is diverse in its nature, encompassing most housing styles, from 19th Century terraced housing and 1960s council estates to multi-million pound mansions on [[The Bishop's Avenue]]. The three 11-storey tower blocks of Prospect Ring, near to the centre of East Finchley, are visible for miles around.
{| class="infobox" style="float:right;"
|-
! colspan="2" | [[United Kingdom census, 2011|2011 United Kingdom Census]]<ref name=Pop2011>{{cite journal | title = A summary of countries of birth in London | publisher = data.london.gov.uk | journal = Census Update | volume = 2011 | url = http://data.london.gov.uk/datastore/package/detailed-country-birth-2011-census-borough| page =1 | date = 17 May 2013 | access-date = 12 September 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140912095019/http://data.london.gov.uk/datastore/package/detailed-country-birth-2011-census-borough| url-status = dead | archive-date =2014-09-12}}</ref>
|-
! Country of birth || Population
|-
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]] || 10,492
|-
|{{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} [[Irish migration to Great Britain|Ireland]] || 420
|-
| {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Poles in the United Kingdom|Poland]] || 350
|-
|{{flagicon|India}} [[British Indian|India]] || 341
|-
| {{flagicon|South Africa}} [[British South African|South Africa]] || 206
|}
<noinclude>
According to the [[2011 UK Census]], 72% of the ward's population was White (52% White British, 4% Irish, 16% Other White), 10% Asian British (5% Indian, 1% Pakistani, 1% Chinese, 3% Other Asian), 7% Black British (5% African, 1% Caribbean, 1% Other Black); the remaining population consists of mixed ethnic groups (2.0% White and Black African/Caribbean, 1.9% White and Asian, 1.7% Other Mixed), Arab and others .<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/east-finchley-e05000049|title = East Finchley - UK Census Data 2011|website=Ukcensusdata.com}}</ref>


The largest religion was [[Christianity]], claimed by 41% of the population, followed by [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]] claimed by 9% and 7% of the population respectively.<ref name="auto1"/> Of the population, 36% either stated they had no religion (27%) or did not state their religion (9%).<ref name="auto1"/>
== Schools ==
East Finchley has several state [[primary schools]], including Martin Primary School, and Holy Trinity Primary School. There are two [[secondary schools]] in East Finchley itself - [[Bishop Douglass RC High School]] (Roman Catholic and mixed) and [[Christ's College, East Finchley|Christ's College]] (boys only up to Year 11, mixed sixth form). Many local children attend schools elsewhere in the London Borough of Barnet. For those living in the direction of Muswell Hill to the east of the High Road, [[Fortismere School]] (mixed comprehensive, which falls under the [[London Borough of Haringey]] Local Education Authority) is an option and many East Finchleans also fall into the catchment area for Brookland Junior School, which neighbours Christ's College.


The [[Isma'ilism|Ismaili Muslim]] community, headed by the [[Aga Khan]], worship at a Jamatkhana opened in 1996, which had been built in harmony with the neighbourhood as per the aims of this community.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-archer.co.uk/archive/2004/2004Sep09.pdf|title=East Finchley's religious heritage|author=Ann Bronkhurst|date=September 2004|website=The-archer.co.uk|access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref> It is located behind the site of the Congregational Church that had been demolished in 1965 to make way for the shops of Viceroy Parade.<ref name="auto"/>
== Media ==
The Archer is East Finchley's monthly community newspaper, run by volunteers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-archer.co.uk/|title=The Archer|accessdate=2009-10-21}}</ref>


== Amenities and features ==
==Popular culture==
{{multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | caption_align=center | image1 = Phoenix Cinema frontage at night.jpg | width1 = 225 | caption1 = Phoenix Cinema by night| alt1 = | image2 = Phoenix Auditorium.jpg | width2 = 225 | caption2 = The auditorium }}
[[Peter Sellers]] lived with his mother at 211b High Street.<ref>http://barnet4u.co.uk</ref> [[George Michael]], the 1980s singer was born in Church Lane.<ref>[http://barnet4u.co.uk Front Page Barnet4U<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Mick Jagger]] lived above the wine shop in the High Road. [[Gracie Fields]] lived in The Bishop's Avenue, and [[Katie Boyle]] lives off The Bishop's Avenue. [[Thomas Pierrepoint]], the official British hangman in the early 1900s lived in Huntingdon Road, by chance not far where the eighteenth century gibbet stood in Lincoln Road. Well-known actors and journalists now live locally.
The independent [[Phoenix Cinema]] (once called the ''Rex'' and before that the ''Coliseum'') is located on the High Road, and regularly shows films with more individual appeal than is the case with the cinema chains. It is the oldest purpose-built cinema in the UK (the only older ones having started life as theatres). ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'', the arts magazine, describes the ''Phoenix'' as the best single-screen cinema in London. Film critic [[Mark Kermode]] has written that the Phoenix Cinema "remains the single most significant cinema in my development as a bona fide cinema obsessive."<ref>Kermode, Mark. ''It's Only a Movie: Reel Life Adventures of a Film Obsessive''. London: Random House, 2010; page 26.</ref>


There is a listed [[Neo-Georgian architecture|Neo-Georgian]]<ref>{{NHLE|desc=East Finchley Library|num=1390575|access-date=12 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Cherry|first=Bridget|title=London.|year=1998|publisher=Penguin|location=London|isbn=0-14-071049-3|pages=122|edition=[New ed.]|author2=Pevsner, Nikolaus}}</ref> public [[List of libraries in Barnet|library]] located on the High Road opposite Leslie Road. Behind the library are some award-winning [[Allotment (gardening)|allotments]], owned by Barnet Council. Adjacent to these are the Fuelland allotments which are held in trust. The massive [[St. Pancras and Islington Cemetery]] is located on the High Road. Established in 1854, it is the oldest municipal cemetery in London and the largest. The Victorian painter [[Ford Madox Brown]] is buried there.
US TV show presenter and former politician [[Jerry Springer]] was born in [[East Finchley tube station|East Finchley]] [[London Underground|Underground]] station in 1944, during [[World War II]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}


Opposite East Finchley tube station is [[Cherry Tree Wood]], approx. 4.5 [[Hectare|ha]] in size, and contains both woodland and grassland. Nearby parks include [[Coldfall Wood]] to the north, and [[Highgate Wood]], [[Queens Wood]], and [[Hampstead Heath]] to the south. Also close to the tube station is the head office of [[McDonald's]] UK; this is seen by the flags and logos on the building.
==See also==
*[[The Bishops Avenue]]
*[[Hampstead Garden Suburb]]
*[[Highgate]]


==References==
== Media ==
''The Archer'', founded in 1993, is East Finchley's free monthly [[community newspaper]], run by volunteers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-archer.co.uk/|title=The Archer|website=The-archer.co.uk|access-date=2009-10-21}}</ref> It takes its name from the eponymous statue at East Finchley tube station.
<references/>


== Literary references ==
{{LB Barnet}}
In [[Evelyn Waugh]]'s satirical novel [[Scoop (novel)|''Scoop'']], Lord Copper, owner of the newspaper ''Daily Beast'', lived in East Finchley. "That evening, Mr Salter, foreign editor of The Beast, was summoned to dinner at his chief's country seat at East Finchley."<ref>Waugh, Evelyn, 1938, ''Scoop'', Book one, chapter 3: {{ISBN|0141187492}}</ref>


== Notable people ==
[[Category:Districts of Barnet]]
* [[Peter Sellers]] lived with his mother at 211b High Road, and in his ''[[Goon Show]]'' persona as [[Bluebottle (character)|Bluebottle]] was usually referred to as an East Finchley [[Scout (Scouting)|Boy Scout]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barnet4u.co.uk/|title=BarnetHistory|website=Barnet4u.co.uk|access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref>
[[Category:Districts of London]]
* Singer [[George Michael]] was born in Church Lane.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barnet4u.co.uk/|title=BarnetHistory|website=Barnet4u.co.uk|access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref>
*[[Ronald Fisher]] was born in East Finchley.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Interpreting Probability: Controversies and Developments in the Early Twentieth Century|last=Howie|first=David|pages=52}}</ref>
* [[Gracie Fields]] lived in The Bishop's Avenue.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
* [[Thomas Pierrepoint]], the official British [[executioner|hangman]] in the early 1900s, lived in Huntingdon Road, by chance not far where the 18th-century [[gibbet]] had stood in Lincoln Road.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
* The poet, playwright, and educator [[Clive Sansom]] was born in East Finchley in 1910.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
* [[Jerry Springer]] lived at [[Belvedere Court]] on Lyttleton Road in East Finchley until he was four years old, when his family moved to the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Springer: ‘I was a poor refugee’ |url=https://www.thejc.com/life-and-culture/jerry-springer-i-was-a-poor-refugee-j14tku2v |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=[[The JC]] |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ray Davies|Ray]] and [[Dave Davies]], founders of the English rock band [[The Kinks]], were born on Huntingdon Road, later lived in Denmark Terrace, and played their first gigs in The Clissold Arms, N2.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
* [[Hugo Lloris]] lives in East Finchley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2018-2019/spurs-keeper-hugo-lloris-charged-with-drink-driving_sto6899510/story.shtml|title=Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris charged with drink-driving|first=Jen|surname=Offord|date=24 August 2018|access-date=14 May 2019}}</ref>
*[[Amy Winehouse]] lived in East Finchley.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Amy, Amy, Amy : the Amy Winehouse story|last=Johnstone|first=Nick|date=2011|publisher=Omnibus|isbn=9780857126993|edition=1983-2011 memorial updated|location=London|oclc=804876901}}</ref>
*John 'Hutch' Hutchinson lived in East Finchley.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Bowie & Hutch|last=Hutchinson, John (Guitarist)|isbn=9781291904031|location=Bridlington, [England]|pages=96|oclc=904347639|date = 12 June 2014}}</ref>
*[[Will Self]] grew up between East Finchley and Hampstead Garden Suburb.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/09/will-self-how-i-write|title=Will Self: How I Write|last=Charney|first=Noah|date=2013-01-09|access-date=2019-05-11|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Amelia Sach and Annie Walters]] lived and committed their crimes in East Finchley.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Capital crimes : seven centuries of London life and murder|last=Décharné|first=Max|year=2012|isbn=9781847945907|location=London|pages=263–284|oclc=794137000}}</ref>
*[[Noreena Hertz]] was born in East Finchley.<ref name="Self">{{Cite news |title=How to be an economics goddess |last=Self |first=Will |authorlink=Will Self |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |date=27 May 2001 |pages=6–8}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[The Bishops Avenue]]
* [[Hampstead Garden Suburb]]
* [[Highgate]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Geographic location
|title = '''Neighbouring areas'''
|Northwest = [[Church End, Barnet|Church End]]
|North = [[North Finchley]]
|Northeast = [[Friern Barnet]]
|West = [[Temple Fortune]]
|Centre = East Finchley
|East = [[Muswell Hill]]
|Southwest = [[Hampstead Garden Suburb]]
|South = [[Highgate]]
|Southeast = [[Fortis Green]]
}}
{{LB Barnet}}{{Areas of London}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[hi:ईस्ट फ़िंचली]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Barnet]]
[[nl:East Finchley]]
[[Category:District centres of London]]
[[ja:イースト・フィンチリー]]
[[Category:Finchley]]

Latest revision as of 07:57, 27 October 2024

For the Frank Turner song, see "East Finchley" (song).
East Finchley
Clockwise from top: East Finchley Underground Station, Phoenix Cinema, Cherry Tree Woods, and Holy Trinity Church
East Finchley is located in Greater London
East Finchley
East Finchley
Location within Greater London
Population15,989 (2011 Census.Ward)[1]
OS grid referenceTQ265895
 North
• Charing Cross5.75 mi (9.3 km)
London borough
Ceremonial countyGreater London
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townLONDON
Postcode districtN2
Dialling code020
PoliceMetropolitan
FireLondon
AmbulanceLondon
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°35′25″N 0°10′31″W / 51.59016°N 0.17534°W / 51.59016; -0.17534

East Finchley is an area in North London, immediately north of Hampstead Heath. Like neighbouring Muswell Hill, it straddles the London Boroughs of Barnet and Haringey, with most of East Finchley falling into the London Borough of Barnet. It has the greenest high road in London.[citation needed]

East Finchley is situated 5.4 miles (8.7 km) northwest of Charing Cross. Geographically, it is separated from the rest of Finchley by the North Circular, with North Finchley and West Finchley to the north, and Finchley Central (Church End) to the northwest.

East Finchley (East End) was first mentioned in 1365, when it formed a scattered hamlet, but by 1860 it was the most populous part of Finchley. Badly bombed during World War 2, and with the subsequent rebuilding, the street pattern of the Old Village was destroyed. However, the area retains a strong community feeling.[2]

The area collectively named Finchley, which included East Finchley (East End), Finchley Central (Church End) and North Finchley, was a parish until its incorporation into the ancient county of Middlesex in 1878; Finchley was incorporated into Greater London in 1965. Although most of East Finchley falls into the parliamentary constituency of Finchley and Golders Green, East Finchley is a village in its own right, and not considered to be part of the town of Finchley.

History

[edit]
East Finchley High Road in 1962

The land on which most of East Finchley now stands was once part of the Bishop of London's hunting ground, to the south of Finchley Common, first recorded around 1400. The Bishop of London built a road through his land, named The Bishop's Avenue, which still exists today. Another road extended further north, weaving through what is now Market Place, The Walks, King Street, and Oak Lane. As a result, pubs such as The Old White Lion, The Bald Faced Stag, and The Five Bells (on East End Road), all of which survive today, sprang up to provide rest for the people using the road.

The area of "East Finchley Old Village" around Church Lane was west of the common and Bulls Lane (now Church Lane) dates back to at least the 17th century. With the coming of the Great Northern Railway in 1868, the area began to emerge, and the property was built gradually between the 1870s and the 1930s. However, it was not until 1914 that a more recognisable East Finchley High Road and surrounding area was visible.

Governance

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From around 1547 Finchley had a parish vestry, which became a local board in 1878, an urban district council in 1895, and finally a municipal borough council between 1933 and 1965. The area is now part of the London Borough of Barnet.[3]

From 1959 to 1992 the Finchley constituency was represented in Parliament by Margaret Thatcher, UK Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990.[4] Finchley is now included in the new constituency of Finchley and Golders Green, currently represented by a Conservative Member of Parliament. East Finchley ward is represented on Barnet Council by three elected Labour Councillors.[5]

Transport

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East Finchley Southbound Platform

East Finchley Underground station is marked by a well-known statue of an archer by Eric Aumonier in the Art Deco style. The archer is pointing his arrow towards the entrance to the tunnel which starts south of the station and runs for 17.3 miles (27.8 km) to the end of the Northern line at Morden. For many years this was the longest tunnel in the world. There was allegedly an arrow at Morden Station to match the archer at East Finchley, that was stolen a few months after the station was opened. However, East Finchley was not served by the Underground until 1939 and the statue was not erected until 1940.

The station is on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line which serves the city (via Bank) and the west end (via Charing Cross) with trains every 2–3 minutes. Buses also serve the high street with the 263 route going from Barnet Hospital to Highbury Barn; the 143 bus linking East Finchley to Archway, London and Brent Cross; the 102 from Edmonton Green, the 234 serving Barnet, The Spires from Highgate Wood and the 603 running between Swiss Cottage and Muswell Hill.

Housing

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19th century terraced housing

Housing in East Finchley is diverse in its nature, encompassing many housing styles, from 19th-century terraced housing, large 30s houses, and multimillion-pound mansions on The Bishop's Avenue. The three eleven-storey tower blocks of Prospect Ring & Norfolk Close are visible for miles around. A further even taller towerblock in Prospect Ring was completed in 2021.

Schools

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Only one state primary school, Martin Primary School[6] (Ofsted outstanding) is situated in East Finchley itself, but the east and southern parts of N2 are covered by the catchment of Tetherdown, Coldfall and Highgate Primary Schools (all within the London Borough of Haringey). Pupils on the west side of the village attend Brookland Infant and Junior Schools which adjoin Christ's College. There are two faith primary schools - Holy Trinity (CofE), and Eden Primary School (Jewish).

East Finchley is home to two mixed non-selective non-denominational secondary schools - Archer Academy (opened 2013) and Christ's College (mixed, as of 2018) and a mixed Roman Catholic secondary school - Bishop Douglass Catholic School. Pupils on the east (Muswell Hill) side of the village also attend Fortismere School (mixed comprehensive, which falls under the London Borough of Haringey Local Education Authority).

Demography

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2011 United Kingdom Census[7]
Country of birth Population
United Kingdom United Kingdom 10,492
Republic of Ireland Ireland 420
Poland Poland 350
India India 341
South Africa South Africa 206

According to the 2011 UK Census, 72% of the ward's population was White (52% White British, 4% Irish, 16% Other White), 10% Asian British (5% Indian, 1% Pakistani, 1% Chinese, 3% Other Asian), 7% Black British (5% African, 1% Caribbean, 1% Other Black); the remaining population consists of mixed ethnic groups (2.0% White and Black African/Caribbean, 1.9% White and Asian, 1.7% Other Mixed), Arab and others .[8]

The largest religion was Christianity, claimed by 41% of the population, followed by Judaism and Islam claimed by 9% and 7% of the population respectively.[8] Of the population, 36% either stated they had no religion (27%) or did not state their religion (9%).[8]

The Ismaili Muslim community, headed by the Aga Khan, worship at a Jamatkhana opened in 1996, which had been built in harmony with the neighbourhood as per the aims of this community.[9] It is located behind the site of the Congregational Church that had been demolished in 1965 to make way for the shops of Viceroy Parade.[9]

Amenities and features

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Phoenix Cinema by night
The auditorium

The independent Phoenix Cinema (once called the Rex and before that the Coliseum) is located on the High Road, and regularly shows films with more individual appeal than is the case with the cinema chains. It is the oldest purpose-built cinema in the UK (the only older ones having started life as theatres). Time Out, the arts magazine, describes the Phoenix as the best single-screen cinema in London. Film critic Mark Kermode has written that the Phoenix Cinema "remains the single most significant cinema in my development as a bona fide cinema obsessive."[10]

There is a listed Neo-Georgian[11][12] public library located on the High Road opposite Leslie Road. Behind the library are some award-winning allotments, owned by Barnet Council. Adjacent to these are the Fuelland allotments which are held in trust. The massive St. Pancras and Islington Cemetery is located on the High Road. Established in 1854, it is the oldest municipal cemetery in London and the largest. The Victorian painter Ford Madox Brown is buried there.

Opposite East Finchley tube station is Cherry Tree Wood, approx. 4.5 ha in size, and contains both woodland and grassland. Nearby parks include Coldfall Wood to the north, and Highgate Wood, Queens Wood, and Hampstead Heath to the south. Also close to the tube station is the head office of McDonald's UK; this is seen by the flags and logos on the building.

Media

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The Archer, founded in 1993, is East Finchley's free monthly community newspaper, run by volunteers.[13] It takes its name from the eponymous statue at East Finchley tube station.

Literary references

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In Evelyn Waugh's satirical novel Scoop, Lord Copper, owner of the newspaper Daily Beast, lived in East Finchley. "That evening, Mr Salter, foreign editor of The Beast, was summoned to dinner at his chief's country seat at East Finchley."[14]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Barnet Ward population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Finchley: Introduction | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  3. ^ Baker, T F T; C R Elrington (1980). "Finchley Finchley Local government". British History Online. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  4. ^ "Historic Figures Margaret Thatcher (1925 - )". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Your Councillors". Barnet.moderngov.co.uk. 31 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Home | Martin Primary School". Martinprimary.org.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  7. ^ "A summary of countries of birth in London". Census Update. 2011. data.london.gov.uk: 1. 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  8. ^ a b c "East Finchley - UK Census Data 2011". Ukcensusdata.com.
  9. ^ a b Ann Bronkhurst (September 2004). "East Finchley's religious heritage" (PDF). The-archer.co.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  10. ^ Kermode, Mark. It's Only a Movie: Reel Life Adventures of a Film Obsessive. London: Random House, 2010; page 26.
  11. ^ Historic England. "East Finchley Library (1390575)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  12. ^ Cherry, Bridget; Pevsner, Nikolaus (1998). London ([New ed.] ed.). London: Penguin. p. 122. ISBN 0-14-071049-3.
  13. ^ "The Archer". The-archer.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  14. ^ Waugh, Evelyn, 1938, Scoop, Book one, chapter 3: ISBN 0141187492
  15. ^ "BarnetHistory". Barnet4u.co.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  16. ^ "BarnetHistory". Barnet4u.co.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  17. ^ Howie, David. Interpreting Probability: Controversies and Developments in the Early Twentieth Century. p. 52.
  18. ^ "Jerry Springer: 'I was a poor refugee'". The JC. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  19. ^ Offord, Jen (24 August 2018). "Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris charged with drink-driving". Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  20. ^ Johnstone, Nick (2011). Amy, Amy, Amy : the Amy Winehouse story (1983-2011 memorial updated ed.). London: Omnibus. ISBN 9780857126993. OCLC 804876901.
  21. ^ Hutchinson, John (Guitarist) (12 June 2014). Bowie & Hutch. Bridlington, [England]. p. 96. ISBN 9781291904031. OCLC 904347639.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  22. ^ Charney, Noah (9 January 2013). "Will Self: How I Write". Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  23. ^ Décharné, Max (2012). Capital crimes : seven centuries of London life and murder. London. pp. 263–284. ISBN 9781847945907. OCLC 794137000.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  24. ^ Self, Will (27 May 2001). "How to be an economics goddess". The Independent. London. pp. 6–8.
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