OS grid reference TQ275965 Country England Postcode district EN4 Ceremonial county Greater London | Region London Sovereign state United Kingdom Dialling code 020 Post town London Borough of Barnet | |
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Population 13,788 (2011 Census.Ward) UK parliament constituencys Enfield Southgate, Chipping Barnet | ||
Cockfosters is a suburb of north London, lying partly in the London Borough of Enfield and partly in the London Borough of Barnet. Cockfosters was located pre-1965 in the counties of Hertfordshire and Middlesex.
Contents
- Map of Cockfosters Barnet UK
- Origins and Popular Attractions
- Education
- Theatre and the Arts
- Sport and leisure
- Culture
- People
- Transport
- References
Map of Cockfosters, Barnet, UK
Origins and Popular Attractions
The name was recorded as far back as 1524, and is thought to be either the name of a family, or that of a house which stood on Enfield Chase. One suggestion is that it was 'the residence of the cock forester (or chief forester)'. Philip Howard, a Times columnist, characterises Cockfosters as an 'agreeable commuter suburb, whose inhabitants, like all suburbanites, consider their “village” proper country.'
Of note in Cockfosters is Trent Park, now a country park.
Christ Church, Cockfosters, an Anglican evangelical church, was founded in 1839.
The Piccadilly line of the London Underground reached Cockfosters in 1933. The Cock Inn (formerly the Cock), off Cockfosters Road on Chalk Lane, opened in 1798.
Education
Southgate School is located on Sussex Way.
Trent C of E Primary School is located on Chalk Lane.
Theatre and the Arts
The Chickenshed Theatre Company, aka Chickenshed, is located in Cockfosters. It was founded in 1975 in a chicken shed and has since moved to its current site. It now produces many shows. It is an inclusive theatre company and started the concept of "inclusive theatre", which means anyone, regardless of background, race, gender, age or disability, is allowed to both watch and perform in theatre.
Sport and leisure
Cockfosters has a non-League football club, Cockfosters F.C., which plays at the Cockfosters Sports Ground.
Saracens used to play at Chase Side (also known as Clocktower Park); however, they are now based in Hendon. The ground is still used for Enfield F.C. training and for the Saracens' 'B' team, Saracens Storm. It is also used as Saracens Amateurs' training ground. Cockfosters Cricket Club and Southgate Compton Cricket Club play at Chalk Lane on fields adjacent to Christ Church, either side of Cockfosters Bowling Club.
Trent Country Park covers approximately 320 hectares. An attraction within Trent Park's grounds, installed in 2012, is the treetop adventure park Go Ape.
Culture
Cockfosters is the name of a 2015 short-story collection by Helen Simpson. One of the short stories features a visit to 'lost property' at Cockfosters tube station.
People
The MP for Southgate, David Burrowes, was born in Cockfosters. George Baillie Duncan ministered at Christ Church, Cockfosters, and the cricketer Andrew Wingfield Digby was a curate there. Cameron McVey grew up in Cockfosters. The poet John Betjeman, who taught at Heddon Court School in 1929-30, wrote "The Cricket Master" about his experiences there. Other transient residents have included the footballers Tommy Docherty and George Eastham, and Dave Davies of the Kinks. Professors John Stollery and Ian Jacobs also grew up in Cockfosters.