The hustle and bustle of North London practically grinds to a halt when you turn down an unassuming side street as the capital’s urban sprawl meets Hertfordshire countryside
Venture just a short distance from Barnet High Street in the UK’s capital and you might find yourself on a path where the essence of London seems to vanish. On one side, red buses hurtle down Wood Street from Barnet Hospital heading towards the adjacent Tube station. Yet the frenetic pace of North London comes to an almost standstill as you make a turn down an unremarkable side street.
Moments later, the sloping hill of Cavendish Road appears before abruptly transforming into the breathtaking Hertfordshire countryside. Architect Barry Hall discovered this tranquil spot a decade ago while contemplating relocation to the pastoral setting of Northamptonshire.
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Barry said: “Me and my wife were living in Coney Hatch Lane,” adding: “It was a lovely, quiet tree-lined street, but then a Tesco Extra got built at the end of the road and there were heavy duty lorries driving by 24 hours a day. It was a nightmare, it ruined it.”
Torn between moving to Northamptonshire or staying in the metropolis, Barry and his late wife found their ideal solution by chance when they took a curious turn down Cavendish Road on their way to the M1.
He recalled: “We drove down and my wife suddenly said ‘Look at that, it’s the countryside. How is that possible?” Barry professed: “We parked the car, went for a walk. We saw the lovely school here with kids playing in the field. It was at that moment we both knew we had to live here.
“The people are so friendly here and relaxed, stress levels are so low. You see families going to school with their bikes every morning. It’s a completely different existence.”
Barry is particularly fond of the rural charm that comes with living on the North London road, reports MyLondon. A mere 20-minute stroll takes you into the green belt where you’ll discover Lewes of London, a quaint local ice cream shop complete with a coffee stall and a play area for children.
The surrounding fields along Galley Lane offer horse riding facilities, and not far off is the serene Poor Clare Monastery. For Barry, it’s this harmonious blend of urban and pastoral life that crowns it as the finest place he’s ever called home.
He commutes to Central London via Tube three times a week for work, while on alternate days, he enjoys the luxury of working from his house, which boasts views of expansive fields.
“My wife made the right choice, it’s just a shame she’s not here to share it with me now,” Barry reflected with a touch of melancholy.
Echoing Barry’s sentiments, Gillian Garvie, a 32-year resident of Cavendish Road, also cherishes the ideal balance between city buzz and countryside tranquillity.
She said: “It is lovely because you’re only 12 miles from Charing Cross. I like that we’re close to Hadley Highstone and there’s quite a lot of lovely houses up there. We’re very lucky in this little area with the nice neighbours.”
Residents of North London are relishing the tranquillity and splendid paths in their neighbourhood, marred only by the fact that house prices are soaring, making it a less feasible option for many.
“There’s lots of wonderful paths around here, while the roads are also very quiet because there’s no through traffic. Overall it’s just a joy to live here.”
In certain parts like Cavendish Road, property values have skyrocketed, with Rightmove figures indicating an average house price of £1.04m.
The climbing costs have altered demographics substantially, causing concern that fewer families can afford to set roots, leaving the area accessible mainly to the older generation.
Long-term inhabitant Sally Halt, having spent two decades on Old Fold View, notes that despite the rising house prices, the neighbourhood’s sense of community has deteriorated: “Although the property prices have gone up I think the area has gone downhill. It used to be more communal, but now everyone has their separate lives.”
She further laments the decline in local transport services once touted as excellent: “When we moved here the transport was amazing. There were buses and all sorts of connections. But one by one they’re cutting them off. It makes a big difference.”