Have you heard the story of a highway that became a hamlet? That’s Enfield Highway for you. It is an area in the London Borough of Enfield. Enfield Highway sits either side of Hertford Road. This is between Hoe Lane and The Ride.
Enfield Highway’s story starts with a road. It was once the king’s highway leading to London. This was in 1610. The highway was none other than the Roman road, Ermine Street. Today, it’s known as the A1010 Hertford Road.
Interestingly, Enfield Highway wasn’t always called that. In 1572, it was known as “Cocksmiths End”. By 1658, the name stuck around. But how did it become Enfield Highway? The Ordnance Survey map of 1822 marks it as such. The settlement grew mainly in the eighteenth century. It took its name from the king’s highway.
Let’s talk about education in Enfield Highway. Back in 1873, there was a school for 160 boys. It even had a master’s house. There was also a school for girls and infants. It taught 260 children.
Did you know Enfield Highway once had a Carnegie library? It opened in 1910. In 1938, it got even bigger. A lending library was added. The borough’s travelling library started there in 1947.
Now, about the spiritual side of Enfield Highway. St James’ Church stands as a testament to faith. William Conrad Lochner designed this brick gothic church. It was consecrated in 1831. It became the first Anglican place of worship. Besides the parish church, St James’ was built by subscription. Woodham Connop donated the land. The Bishop of London consecrated it on October 15. A district was assigned to it in 1833. Marriages could be held there from 1845.
Need some fresh air? Durants Park awaits. It was created in 1903. It sits on the estate of the former manor house, Durrants. The Durant family owned it from 1244. Later, the Wroth and Stringer families lived there. Sadly, the gatehouse vanished by 1910.
Have you noticed the almshouses on Hertford Road? Charles Wright built them for six poor widows in 1847. He made sure they were looked after. In 1848, he entrusted them to trustees. They had to choose widows over sixty. They also received an annual sum and coal each winter. These almshouses are now a listed building.
Who calls Enfield Highway home? In 2011, White British residents made up the largest group at 38%. Other White residents accounted for 18%. Black African residents made up 12%.
Enfield Highway also appears on screen. Some scenes from the BBC TV movie, Learners, were filmed here. So, next time you pass through, remember Enfield Highway. It is more than just a road. It’s a community with a rich past. A past that continues to shape its present.