Monken Hadley conservation area
Skip to:
Location
The Monken Hadley conservation area is located in the north east of the borough, with Hertfordshire and the London Borough of Enfield on its northern boundary. To the south lies the historic market town of Chipping Barnet.
The medieval route known as the Great North Road linked London to the north of England, passing through Chipping Barnet (part of the Wood Street conservation area), Hadley Green and Hadley Highstone (part of Monken Hadley conservation area) before heading north to Potters Bar and beyond.
The latest census figure (2001) gave the population for the conservation area as 2,456.
Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2023
Description
The character of Monken Hadley stems from a long association with a predominantly rural society.
It was originally part of Middlesex, then later part of East Barnet District in Hertfordshire between 1895 and 1965. It is now part of the London Borough of Barnet.
Notable historical buildings, large areas of rough poorly drained common land, winding lanes and scattered groups of oaks and other native trees are reminders of early activity and settlement.
The church of St Mary the Virgin is the focal point in Monken Hadley and lies close to the crossing of ancient roads. Views from this spot reveal much of the character of the area.
The Battle of Barnet took place in 1471 between the Earl of Warwick and King Edward IV. This was the last but one battle in the Wars of the Roses and took place within sight of the church. An obelisk to commemorate the battle was erected in 1740 by Sir Jeremy Sambrook at the original junction of the Great North Road and the old road to St Albans, now known as Kitts End Road. This was before Telford constructed the present route in 1826 through the yard of the Green Man public house, by passing the thriving hamlet of Kitts End. Before this road was built, up to 150 coaches a day would have crossed Hadley Green, fostering a plague of highwayman, including Dick Turpin. The degree of bustle and activity along the route may well have been comparable to conditions pertaining today.
Documents
Monken Hadley conservation area Character Appraisal
Monken Hadley conservation area Map