Living in East Barnet

The community spirit in East Barnet is strong, with an active social calendar and a neighbourly feel that appeals to families and older residents. Community centres host a range of activities, from fitness classes and hobby groups to regular social gatherings and local charity events.

East Barnet Village retains its character through local shops and historic sites such as St Mary the Virgin Church, which dates back centuries. The East Barnet Festival, a summer highlight, draws crowds from across North London for live music, food stalls, and family activities.

Green spaces like Oak Hill Park and the Pymmes Brook Trail offer plenty of opportunity for walks, jogging, and picnicking. These natural areas help foster a healthy, outdoors-oriented lifestyle, adding to the overall sense of wellbeing that residents attribute to living in East Barnet.

Safety is a commonly cited reason for choosing East Barnet, with the suburb enjoying relatively low crime levels compared to many inner London districts. Residential streets are well-lit and often quiet, further contributing to the area’s sense of safety. The presence of active neighbourhood watch schemes helps to maintain vigilance and community awareness.

Recent years have seen ongoing efforts from Barnet Council and the Metropolitan Police to enhance safety, including regular community policing and initiatives supporting youth engagement. While no area is entirely free from crime, East Barnet is considered a secure location for families and older residents, and benefits from the wider borough’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment.

Parking in East Barnet is relatively manageable for a suburban London area. Many residential streets offer a mix of unrestricted on-street parking and controlled parking zones (CPZs), which are intended to prioritise local residents. Permit systems operate in the busiest sections, especially near railway stations and high streets. Allocated parking is often available for those in newer housing developments and flats.

Congestion is modest outside of the main rush hour periods, with main roads such as the A111 and A110 providing rapid links to the M25 and A406 North Circular. This allows efficient travel to a range of destinations including shopping centres and other parts of Greater London.

• Enfield – approx. 15 minutes by A110 (4 miles)
• Finchley – approx. 10 minutes by A598 (3 miles)
• Central London – approx. 40 minutes by A1/A406 (12 miles)
• Borehamwood – approx. 20 minutes by A1000 (7 miles)

Residents with cars appreciate both the access and the generally available parking, especially compared to busier parts of London.

East Barnet has a wide selection of food, drink, and social venues that caters for diverse tastes. Eating out options range from family-run cafés and classic British pubs, such as the popular Prince of Wales and The Railway Bell, through to Mediterranean, Indian, and East Asian restaurants found along the High Road and nearby Cockfosters.

Café culture is noticeable along main thoroughfares, with independent coffee shops and bakeries attracting locals during the day. Takeaway choices are plentiful, from traditional fish and chip shops to contemporary pizza and grill outlets.

Nightlife in East Barnet is relatively low-key, with most residents heading to local pubs for a relaxed evening or travelling to nearby areas like Finchley or Enfield for a broader selection of bars and clubs. The area hosts several annual food and beer festivals, and cultural events held at nearby arts centres provide further options for evening entertainment.

School quality: East Barnet is renowned for its well-rated primary and secondary schools, providing families with confidence about their children’s education.

Parks and green space: The area hosts several parks, including Oak Hill Park, which are frequented by families for recreation, sports, and seasonal events.

Childcare: A range of nurseries, pre-schools, and after-school clubs support working parents and carers, reflecting a family-oriented environment.

Safety: Community safety remains a top priority with low crime rates compared to other London suburbs, enhancing peace of mind for families.

Family activities: Annual festivals, library events, and close-knit neighbourhoods offer children and parents ways to socialise, participate, and feel part of the local fabric.

East Barnet is particularly suited to pet owners, with ample green spaces such as Oak Hill Park and the Pymmes Brook Trail providing safe areas for dog walking and outdoor play. The semi-rural edges of the suburb offer access to more expansive countryside, allowing pets and their owners to enjoy long walks and fresh air.

Several local vets and animal grooming services operate in the area, while pet shops cater to a wide range of animal needs. Many of the local cafés and some pubs welcome dogs, and the general attitude within East Barnet is positive towards responsible pet ownership, both in private and rented accommodation.

Parks with designated dog exercise areas and social groups further strengthen the pet-friendly reputation of East Barnet.

East Barnet is well connected by a range of public transport options and major roadways. The nearest train stations, Oakleigh Park (National Rail) and New Barnet, provide fast rail services to central London, while Cockfosters Underground Station (Piccadilly Line) is nearby, linking residents directly to the West End and Heathrow Airport.

Multiple bus routes traverse East Barnet, serving local high streets and facilitating connections to neighbouring areas such as Finchley, Muswell Hill, and Enfield. For car users, key routes include the A111 and A110, offering straightforward access to the M25 orbital motorway, making regional travel convenient.

Key commute times:

• Central London – approx. 35 minutes by train from New Barnet to King’s Cross
• Heathrow Airport – approx. 60 minutes via Piccadilly Line from Cockfosters
• Barnet – 10 minutes by bus or car
• Enfield – approx. 15 minutes by road

East Barnet’s accessibility makes it particularly popular with commuters and those seeking an easy balance between city and suburban life.

East Barnet benefits from a wide assortment of educational options, making it an appealing destination for families. The area is well-regarded for its primary and secondary schools, both state and independent, and offers strong academic standards throughout the borough.

Primary Schools:
Primary education in East Barnet is provided by institutions such as Danegrove Primary School (Ofsted: Good, 2018), St Mary's CE Primary School East Barnet (Ofsted: Good, 2016), and Monkfrith Primary School (Ofsted: Outstanding, 2018). These schools are known for supportive teaching environments and active parent communities.

Secondary Schools:
On the secondary front, East Barnet School holds a strong local reputation (Ofsted: Good, 2019), as does Southgate School, located just to the north and serving part of the East Barnet community (Ofsted: Good, 2022). Nearby, Oak Hill School also accommodates pupils with specific needs (Ofsted: Outstanding, 2019). The area provides a mixture of co-educational and single-sex options.

Colleges and Sixth Forms:
Further education is accessible via Woodhouse College, a leading sixth form college in North Finchley, and Barnet and Southgate College, which has several campuses in the borough offering a wide range of A-level and vocational courses.

Universities:
Although there are no universities physically located in East Barnet, the outstanding transport links mean that top London institutions such as University College London (UCL), King's College London, and Middlesex University are all accessible via the Underground and mainline train services, giving residents plenty of higher education choices close by.