Finchley

Finchley. A name whispered by highwaymen, sung by Dame Vera Lynn, and etched into the political landscape by Margaret Thatcher. Here, amidst the bustling streets of North London, lies Finchley, a district brimming with a rich tapestry of history and intriguing characters. Finchley, not mentioned in the Domesday Book, was once a sparsely populated woodland supplying London with fuel and pigs. Imagine Finchley in the 13th century, a clearing in the ancient Middlesex forest, marked by the newly built St Mary-at-Finchley Church. This area, now known as Church End, or Finchley Central, was the heart of early Finchley. From this central point, two other hamlets emerged: East End, which became East Finchley, and North End, transforming into the bustling suburb of North Finchley. Finchley, a place once notorious for highwaymen lurking on Finchley Common, a vast expanse that once covered much of the area. Picture the York coach rumbling along the Great North Road, highwaymen lurking in the shadows of Turpin’s Oak. Though the tales of Dick Turpin in Finchley are likely more myth than reality, the common was indeed a dangerous place. This very ground has echoed with the marching boots of soldiers. General Monck’s army assembled here during the Restoration, and troops encamped during the Jacobite rising of 1745. Finchley has witnessed not just military maneuvers but also cultural shifts. The arrival of the Edgware, Highgate and London Railway in 1867 marked a turning point, transforming Finchley from a rural outpost into a thriving London suburb. The arrival of trams in 1905 further cemented Finchley’s place within the expanding metropolis. Finchley, a place that has nurtured talent, from the comedic genius of Spike Milligan, who lived in Woodside Park, to the musical talent of George Michael, born in East Finchley. The district’s artistic legacy continues today, with the artsdepot at Tally Ho Corner showcasing a vibrant array of talent. Finchley, a place where history has left its mark. Explore the grand Avenue House, bequeathed to the people of Finchley by Henry Charles Stephens, “Inky” Stephens, son of the inventor of blue-black ink. Walk the streets once graced by Margaret Thatcher, Finchley’s MP for over 30 years. Finchley, a district woven into the fabric of London, its past whispering through the leaves of its trees, its present echoing in the laughter of its residents. A place to discover, a place to remember, Finchley.