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Chipping Barnet
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Chipping Barnet or High Barnet is a suburban market town in north London, forming part of the London Borough of Barnet, England. It is a suburban development built around a 12th-century settlement, and is located 10+1⁄2 miles (17 km) north of Charing Cross, 3 miles (4.8 km) east from Borehamwood, 5.2 miles (8.4 km) west from Enfield and 3.2 miles (5.1 km) south from Potters Bar. Its population, including its localities East Barnet, New Barnet, Hadley Wood, Monken Hadley, Cockfosters and Arkley, was 47,359 in 2011.
Key Information
Its name is very often abbreviated to just Barnet, which is also the name of the borough of which it forms a part; the town has been part of Greater London since 1965, after the abolition of Barnet Urban District, then in Hertfordshire. Chipping Barnet is also the name of the Parliamentary constituency covering the local area: the word "Chipping" denotes the presence of a market, one that was established here at the end of the 12th century and persists to this day. Chipping Barnet is one of the highest urban settlements in London, with the town centre having an elevation of about 427 feet (130 m).
History
[edit]| 1881 | 4,283 |
|---|---|
| 1891 | 4,563 |
| 1901 | 2,893 |
| 1911 | 3,954 |
| 1921 | 4,154 |
| 1931 | 6,018 |
| 1941 | 7,845 |
| 1951 | 7,062 |
| # No census was held due to war | |
| Source: UK census | |
The town's name, recorded as Barneto in about 1070, Barnet in 1197, and La Barnette in 1248, is derived from Old English bærnet: "the land cleared by burning". It refers to the clearing of land in an area that was once densely forested.[2]
In Saxon times the site was part of an extensive wood called Southaw, belonging to the Abbey of St Albans. Barnet's elevated position is indicated in one of its alternative names ("High Barnet"), which appears in many old books and maps, and which the Great Northern Railway company adopted for the railway station opened in 1872 (now High Barnet tube station). The area was historically a common resting point on the traditional Great North Road between the City of London and York and Edinburgh.
The Battle of Barnet in 1471 was fought at nearby Monken Hadley, where Yorkist troops led by King Edward IV killed the rebellious "Kingmaker" Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, and Warwick's brother, John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu. This was one of the most important battles of the Wars of the Roses.
Barnet Fair is a well-known horse fair dating back to 1588, which takes place each September. Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter to the Lord of the Manor of Barnet to hold a twice yearly fair. The fair gives its name to the rhyming slang of Barnet Fair or barnet for "hair".[3]
The famous Barnet Market is now (2024) nearly 825 years old. On 23 August 1199 King John issued a charter for a market at Barnet to the Lord of the Manor, the Abbot of St. Albans, John de Cella.

Chipping Barnet was historically a civil parish of Hertfordshire and formed part of the Barnet Urban District from 1894. The parish was abolished in 1965 and the Chipping Barnet section of its former area was transferred from Hertfordshire to Greater London and the newly created London Borough of Barnet.[4][5] In 1801 the parish had a population of 1,258 and covered an area of 1,440 acres (5.8 km2). By 1901 the parish was reduced to 380 acres (1.5 km2) and had a population of 2,893. In 1951 the population was 7,062.[6]
Barnet belonged to the County of Hertfordshire until 1965, when under the London Government Act 1963, East Barnet Urban District and Barnet Urban District were abolished and their area was transferred to Greater London to form part of the present-day London Borough of Barnet.
At the beginning of the 21st century, a tongue-in-cheek movement calling for the name Barnet to be changed to "Barnét" began to gain the attention of the public and the national media, with many public road signs in the area regularly being altered to contain the accented character.[7][8]
Religious sites
[edit]St John the Baptist Church is a landmark for miles around and stands in what was the centre of the town. It was erected by John de la Moote, abbot of St Albans, about 1400, the architect being Beauchamp. Playing on its antiquity, it continues to call itself "Barnet Church", although this is not an official title. It is in fact the parish church of Chipping Barnet only, whilst Christ Church is the parish church of High Barnet, St Mark's is the parish church of Barnet Vale, St James's is the parish church of New Barnet, and Holy Trinity is the parish church of the Lyonsdown district. In addition, St Mary the Virgin is the parish church of East Barnet and St John of Friern Barnet. The parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Monken Hadley (rebuilt 1494) also has parish boundaries that include a significant part of High Barnet, including much of Barnet High Street.

The living of Barnet is a curacy, held with the rectory of East Barnet till the death of the last incumbent in 1866, when the livings were separated. The parish of Chipping Barnet, served by St John's Church, was provided with a chapel-of-ease in Victorian times; subsequently Chipping Barnet parish was split in two, and the chapel-of-ease (on Bells Hill, Barnet) raised to the status of a parish church, dedicated to St Stephen.
Geography
[edit]Chipping Barnet is designated as a Neighbourhood Centre in the London Plan.
The tower of Barnet parish church – St John the Baptist – at the top of Barnet Hill claims to be the highest point between itself and the Ural Mountains 2,000 miles (3,200 km) to the east.[9] However, the same has been said of numerous other points. Since the opening of the railway, development has increased considerably, especially in the west of the area near Arkley.
For a London town, Barnet lies very high; the High Street is 427 feet (130 m) above sea level and the surrounding southern land no less than 295 feet (90 m).
Demography
[edit]Chipping Barnet town centre is covered by the High Barnet ward. According to the 2011 census, the population was 82% white (68% White British, 11% Other White, 3% White Irish). Indians made up 4% of the population, and all black groups made up 3%.[10] The whole town is defined as the Chipping Barnet parliamentary constituency, which takes up the eastern third of the wider borough. This data does not represent the town as a whole because it contains six other wards.
Transport
[edit]
Barnet Hill is a major hill on the historic Great North Road. In coaching days, 150 stagecoaches passed through Barnet daily. The modern Great North Road replacement, the A1, runs to the west of the town along Barnet Bypass.
Tube and train
[edit]High Barnet Underground station is on the Northern line while New Barnet railway station is on the East Coast Main Line served by services from King's Cross and Moorgate to Welwyn Garden City. Totteridge and Whetstone Underground station serves the affluent areas bearing the same name southwest of High Barnet town centre. Oakleigh Park railway station serves the eastern extremity of the town. The Barnet Tunnel is also in the area.
Public services
[edit]
Barnet is served by Barnet Hospital, which is run by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust as part of the English National Health Service. There is also an NHS clinic in Vale Drive (near Barnet Hill and High Barnet station). London Ambulance Service responds to medical emergencies in Barnet. Home Office policing is provided by the Metropolitan Police Service. Statutory emergency fire service is provided by the London Fire Brigade, which has a station on Station Road, built in 1992.
Sport and recreation
[edit]Barnet FC[11] is the local football team, currently in the Vanarama National League, the fifth tier of English football – at the end of the 2017/18 season Barnet were relegated from League Two, and have remained in the Vanarama National League since. They played at the Underhill Stadium until 2012/13 but from the 2013/14 season are playing at The Hive Stadium in Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow. They first reached the Football League in 1991 as champions of the GM Vauxhall Conference but lost their status 10 years later with relegation, only to return four years later – again as Conference champions. London Lions F.C. is also based in Barnet, near Stirling Corner, but the 1st team plays midweek and some cup home games at Hemel Hempstead Town F.C. as its own ground is not floodlit and does not meet the requirements for some cup competitions. There are a number of amateur football clubs based in Barnet including East Barnet Old Grammarians and Ravenscroft Old Boys.
Barnet Cricket Club and Old Elizabethans' Cricket Club have merged to form one club in Barnet and currently play their games at Gypsy Corner. Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers is a local athletics club. Barnet and Old Elizabethans rugby clubs merged to form Barnet Elizabethans RFC, playing in Byng Road, Barnet, near Queen Elizabeth's School. Chipping Barnet has a King George's Field in memorial to King George V. Old Court House Recreation Ground is a park in High Barnet.
High Barnet has an Everyman cinema, the Barnet Museum, the All Saints Art Centre, the Ravenscroft local park and Barnet recreational park, a now disused well that was frequented by, among others, Samuel Pepys, and many restaurants and public houses. Local festivals include the traditional annual Barnet Fair, which was chartered in medieval times, the High Barnet Chamber Music Festival, and Barnet Medieval Festival.
Local papers
[edit]The principal local newspapers are The Barnet and Potters Bar Times[citation needed] and The Barnet Post, which was established in July 2021.[12]
The Barnet Press operated until 2017.[13]
The Barnet Society also frequently publishes articles on local news as well as a quarterly newsletter.[14]
Notable people
[edit]- Peter Banks (1947–2013), rock guitarist (Yes), was born in the town.
- Stephanie Beacham (born 1947) actress, businesswoman and former model, was born in the town.
- Geoffrey Chater (1921–2021), character actor, was born in the town.
- Lenny Cooper (born 1981), English cricketer
- Nadine Coyle (born 1985), singer, grew up in the town.[citation needed]
- Paul Freeman (born 1943), actor, was born in the town.
- Martin Furnival Jones (1912-1997) former Director General of MI5 was born here.
- Ravi Haria (born 1999), chess grandmaster
- Stuart Holden (born 1955), darts player, was born in the town.[citation needed]
- Mark Kermode (born 1963), film critic and musician, was born in the town.
- Nicko McBrain (born 1952), drummer, grew up in the town.
- Elaine Paige (born 1948), theatre actress and singer, radio host, was born in the town.
- Mike Skinner (born 1979), rapper, singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer, was born in the town.
- Lee Thompson (born 1957), saxophonist (Madness), is from the town.
Neighbouring areas
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Barnet is made up of 3 wards in the London Borough of Barnet: East Barnet, High Barnet, and Underhill. "2011 Census Ward Population Estimates | London DataStore". Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
- ^ Mills, A. D. (2001). A Dictionary of London Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 12. ISBN 0-19-860957-4.
- ^ "barnet-market-and-fair". barnet.gov.uk.
- ^ "Chipping Barnet Ch/CP through time | Census tables with data for the Parish-level Unit". Visionofbritain.org.uk. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ [1] Archived 6 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Chipping Barnet Ch/CP through time | Historical Statistics on Population for the Parish-level Unit". Visionofbritain.org.uk. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ "Residents change road signs". BBC News. 3 January 2008. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ^ "Barnet by any other name is 'irresponsible' (From Times Series)". Times-series.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ According to "A New Survey of England: Middlesex" by Michael Robbins, 1973
- ^ Services, Good Stuff IT. "High Barnet – UK Census Data 2011". UK Census Data. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016.
- ^ [2] Archived 27 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The Barnet Post - Website".
- ^ "Hot stuff as Barnet hosts Chilli Fiesta". Barnet & Whetstone Press. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ "The Barnet Society - Website".
External links
[edit]Chipping Barnet
View on GrokipediaHistory
Origins and early settlement
The name "Chipping Barnet" derives from the Old English term bærnet, referring to land cleared by burning, indicative of the area's ancient woodland being intentionally burned to create open spaces during early settlement. This etymology reflects Saxon practices of land management in a densely forested region north of London. The prefix "Chipping" originates from the Old English cēping, meaning a market or trading place, added after King John granted a royal charter for a weekly market in 1199, establishing the town as a commercial hub along key northbound routes.[10][11] Archaeological evidence points to prehistoric human activity in the vicinity of Chipping Barnet, with a British gold coin discovered locally suggesting occupation during the late Iron Age or earlier Celtic period. The Barnet Museum holds artefacts from the Bronze Age in its collection, including tools and items likely sourced from sites near the High Street, indicating intermittent settlement or resource use in the area amid its wooded terrain. These finds highlight the region's role in broader prehistoric patterns of woodland exploitation and trade in southern England.[1][12] Roman influences in the area were indirect, primarily through proximity to Verulamium (modern St Albans), a major Roman administrative center connected by routes extending north from Londinium; while no major Roman structures have been identified at Barnet itself, the alignment of early roads through the region suggests possible utilization for travel and local exchange. By the Saxon era, the site formed part of the extensive Southaw wood, a managed forest estate linked to the Abbey of St Albans, founded in 793 by King Offa, underscoring early Anglo-Saxon control over woodland resources for agriculture and timber. Settlement patterns likely involved small farming communities clearing patches of the wood, as implied by the name's etymology.[13] The first written record of Barnet appears around 1070 as "Barneto," with the area possibly referenced in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the estate of "Henammesteda" in Hertfordshire, held by the Church of St Albans; this entry notes wooded lands valued for their potential, marking the transition to Norman oversight without altering the underlying Saxon settlement fabric.[1]Medieval and Tudor periods
In 1199, King John granted a charter to the Abbot of St Albans, John de Cella, authorizing a weekly market in Chipping Barnet on Thursdays and establishing annual fairs, which laid the foundation for the town's commercial significance as a market center north of London.[14] This development built on earlier settlement patterns and transformed Barnet into a key trading hub for livestock and goods along the Great North Road.[13] Religious life in medieval Chipping Barnet centered on ties to the Abbey of St Albans, which held the manor and influenced local institutions. The Parish Church of St John the Baptist originated around 1250 as a chapel of ease to the nearby church in East Barnet, serving the growing community on the hilltop; it was substantially rebuilt in the 15th century and remained under abbatial control until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, when Henry VIII seized abbey properties, including Barnet's manor.[1] The Dissolution disrupted monastic oversight but preserved the church as a focal point for parish activities, with no evidence of independent friary foundations in the area, though the abbey's Benedictine influence extended to local religious practices.[3] The Battle of Barnet, fought on 14 April 1471 during the Wars of the Roses, marked a pivotal Yorkist triumph that secured Edward IV's throne. Edward's forces, numbering around 10,000–12,000, surprised Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick's larger Lancastrian army of approximately 15,000 near the town in dense morning fog, leading to chaotic close-quarters combat along the hedgerows of Hadley Wood. Confusion arose when Lancastrian troops mistook the Yorkist "sun in splendour" badge for their own faded "star with rays" in the low visibility, causing Montagu's division to falter and flee, which triggered a general rout; Warwick was killed while attempting to escape on foot. Casualties totaled around 1,500 on both sides combined, with the Yorkist victory decisively weakening Lancastrian resistance and paving the way for Edward's subsequent win at Tewkesbury.[15] The battlefield site is commemorated by the Hadley Highstone, an 18th-century obelisk erected in 1740 near the junction of Barnet Lane and Great North Road, along with information boards detailing the engagement.[5] The tradition of annual fairs, initiated under the 1199 charter, evolved into Barnet Fair, a major livestock event that continued through the Tudor period and beyond, fostering economic vitality despite the era's political upheavals. Held typically in early September, the fair drew traders from across England until its suspension in 2023 amid lingering COVID-19 restrictions, with resumption in 2024 restoring this longstanding custom.[14]Modern developments
During the 19th century, Chipping Barnet underwent significant suburban expansion, transforming from a ribbon development along key roads into a more connected settlement. The opening of High Barnet station in 1872 by the Great Northern Railway marked a pivotal moment, providing direct links to central London and encouraging residential growth as commuters sought housing beyond the urban core.[4][16] In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Chipping Barnet served as a major coaching stop on the Great North Road from London, accommodating up to 150 coaches daily and supported by inns such as The Red Lion (established 1551) and The Mitre (mid-17th century).[3] Administrative changes further shaped the area's evolution. In 1894, under the Local Government Act, Barnet was established as an urban district, encompassing Chipping Barnet and surrounding parishes to manage local services amid rapid urbanization. This entity persisted until 1965, when the London Government Act abolished it, merging it with East Barnet, Finchley, Hendon, and Friern Barnet to form the London Borough of Barnet within Greater London.[17] The 20th century brought profound impacts from global conflicts and subsequent recovery. World War II affected the community directly, including a bomb strike that damaged the west window of St John the Baptist Church in 1941; no national census was conducted that year due to the war effort. Post-war, a housing boom addressed shortages, with developments like the Dollis Valley Estate exemplifying council-led construction of modern homes to accommodate growing families.[3] In recent years, Chipping Barnet has seen milestones reflecting its integration into broader borough dynamics and cultural revival. The 2021 census data for the London Borough of Barnet incorporated Chipping Barnet without separate enumeration, highlighting population growth to 389,344 across the borough. The traditional Barnet Fair, chartered since 1588, resumed in 2024, reinforcing local heritage after pandemic disruptions. Additionally, construction on a 115-home development at Whalebones Park, including 54 affordable units, balancing housing needs with preservation of the Grade II-listed Whalebones House, began in late 2025, with preparatory work starting in November.[18][19][20]Geography
Location and boundaries
Chipping Barnet is situated at approximately 51°39′N 0°12′W, lying 10.5 miles (16.9 km) north-northwest of Charing Cross, the traditional central point for measuring distances in London.[21][22] Administratively, it falls within the London Borough of Barnet and primarily encompasses the High Barnet ward, along with portions of adjacent wards such as Hadley and Arkley.[23] Historically, Chipping Barnet served as a civil parish in Hertfordshire until 1965, when boundary changes incorporated it into the newly formed Greater London, specifically the London Borough of Barnet.[24][25] The town's boundaries are delineated by prominent landmarks, with the A1 road marking the eastern edge, Hadley Wood to the north, and Arkley to the west.[26][27] Within Barnet's planning framework, Chipping Barnet is classified as a District Centre in the borough's town centre hierarchy, which supports its role in providing local retail, services, and community facilities while guiding development to enhance vitality.[28] The formal town centre boundaries, as outlined in the Development Management Policies, focus on key frontages along High Street, Great North Road, and surrounding areas to manage growth and protect character.[29]Topography and environment
Chipping Barnet sits at an elevation of approximately 427 feet (130 m) above sea level, making it one of the higher urban areas in Greater London.[30] The town center, particularly around Barnet Hill and the historic St John the Baptist Church, is locally claimed to mark the highest point along the old Great North Road (now the A1 route) between London and distant northern landmarks, though this is a traditional assertion rather than a strictly measured fact.[31] This elevated position contributes to its strategic historical role as a coaching stop. The terrain of Chipping Barnet features undulating hills characteristic of the northern London fringe, with rounded elevations connecting areas like Highwood Hill and Monken Hadley. Underlying geology consists primarily of London Clay from the Eocene period, overlain in places by Claygate Beds comprising alternating layers of sand and gravel, which shape the local soil and drainage patterns.[32] Green spaces such as Victoria Recreation Ground provide accessible natural areas amid this landscape, offering grassy fields, sports facilities, and recent additions like inclusive playgrounds that enhance community interaction with the environment.[33] Chipping Barnet experiences a temperate oceanic climate typical of southeast England, with mild winters and cool summers moderated by its inland position.[34] Average annual rainfall is around 600 mm, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, though slightly higher precipitation may occur due to the area's proximity to the Chiltern Hills, which can channel weather patterns.[34] Environmental protections in the area include sites like Hadley Green, designated as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation for its grasslands, ponds, and historical meadows supporting diverse flora and fauna.[35] In 2025, Barnet Council's Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2025-2035 emphasizes biodiversity net gain in new housing developments, requiring developers to offset habitat loss through enhanced green infrastructure and native planting to support local wildlife amid urban expansion.Demographics
Population trends
The population of Chipping Barnet, historically a civil parish in Hertfordshire, experienced gradual growth in the 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting broader rural-to-urban shifts in the region. In 1801, the parish recorded 1,258 residents, increasing to 2,745 by 1901 amid expanding trade and local industry. By 1951, following boundary adjustments and post-war developments, the population reached 7,062, marking a more than fivefold rise over 150 years.[36] Significant expansion occurred after World War II, driven by suburban migration from central London as families sought affordable housing in outer areas facilitated by improved transport links. This trend transformed Chipping Barnet from a small parish into part of the larger Barnet Urban District, with the wider area encompassing localities like High Barnet and Arkley recording 47,359 residents in the 2011 census. The growth was supported by council housing initiatives and private developments that accommodated London's post-war population boom.[37] The 2021 census highlighted continued but moderated growth, with the High Barnet ward— a core part of Chipping Barnet—reaching 11,930 residents, up from 10,879 in 2011, representing part of the London Borough of Barnet's total of 389,344, a 9.2% increase borough-wide. Recent influxes have been fueled by housing developments attracting commuters from inner London, including the Whalebones Park project, approved in 2024 and set to add 115 residential units starting construction in 2025 to address local demand.[38][7][39] Looking ahead, ONS projections estimate the borough's population at approximately 422,000 by 2030, aligning with strategic goals to balance growth with infrastructure enhancements.| Census Year | Population (Chipping Barnet Parish/Local Area) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1801 | 1,258 | Civil parish baseline.[36] |
| 1951 | 7,062 | Post-war urban district inclusion.[36] |
| 2011 | 47,359 | Wider area including adjacent localities.[37] |
| 2021 | 11,930 (High Barnet ward) | Part of borough total 389,344; 9.2% growth from 2011.[38][7] |
