What if the name Freezywater tells a chilling tale? This neighbourhood in Enfield, North London, wasn’t always the bustling place it is today. Freezywater has a story rooted in the land itself.
Freezywater, bordering Hertfordshire, sits between Bullsmoor, Enfield Lock, and Enfield Wash. It marks the zone along Hertford Road. It stretches from Ordnance Road to Bullsmoor Lane. The name Freezywater first appeared in records in 1768. It was also known as Freezy Water in 1819.
The name Freezywater came from a local farm. The farm named itself after its fishpond. This pond often froze over in winter. Can you imagine the sight? A glistening, icy pond in the heart of the countryside.
For centuries, farming dominated this area. Three farms and smallholdings dotted the landscape. Freezywater Farm was the largest. It was a tenant farm of the manor. Totteridge House and Freezywater House were the other farms. In the 18th century, it was called Freezy Water Farm. Later developments adopted the name. The name was informal until the church was completed in 1906.
Freezywater wasn’t always a quiet farming area. During World War II, danger struck. A V1 flying bomb hit Chesterfield School. The bomb aimed for the Royal Small Arms Factory. It was about 1.5 miles east of the school. A teacher died in the grounds. She was searching for her school children.
The Church of Saint George stands as a landmark. It is a large red-brick gothic building. JEK and JP Cutts designed it. The church was built between 1900 and 1906. A planned tower was never built. Before this church, a temporary iron church stood nearby. It served as a church hall for many years.
Today, Freezywater is more than just a collection of farms. It is a thriving neighbourhood in Enfield. It has schools like Chesterfield Infant School. Freezywater St George’s Primary School and Honilands School educate young minds. Lea Valley Academy provides secondary education. Cunningham Park offers open space for recreation.
So, as you explore Freezywater, remember its history. It is a story of farms. It is a story of a frozen pond that gave this neighbourhood its unique name. It is a story of resilience in the face of war. Freezywater has transformed from a rural hamlet into the community we see today.