Living in Barnet
Popular with young families and young professionals looking to be within striking distance of London but away from the hustle and bustle of daily London living.
Why consider moving to Barnet?
Barnet properties for sale are often snapped up as the popularity of the area makes it a much sought-after place to live. Located between the City and the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, Barnet is ideal for people wanting to be within reach of all London has to offer but without the daily crowds. Barnet’s large population benefits from the area's green spaces, transport links, and its wide array of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. There’s a great community feel to Barnet too, with families and young professionals flocking here alongside locals who have called Barnet home for generations.
Discover the History of Barnet
Barnet has a long and rich history, with evidence of Roman settlements in the area and Hendon mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book. Once a prominent trading route stopping point in and out of London, Barnet has a number of historic inns and pubs from that time. The 1471 Battle of Barnet is one of the most widely retold historical events in the area; so much so that it’s recreated at the Barnet Medieval Festival which sees thousands of actors re-enact the famous battle in full costume.
Barnet Medieval Festival is London's largest battle re-enactment and has been attracting huge crowds since its inception in 2017.
What's the lifestyle like?
If you’re a fan of retail therapy then Barnet really does have you covered. The Spires shopping centre is home to big brand stores like H&M, Waitrose and JD Sports. And it hosts the historic Barnet Market, running since 1199 and home to smaller traders like The Bone Family Fruiterers, Young’s Fish Ltd, Heritage Cheeses and The Smart Coffee Co amongst many others. If that’s not enough then Brent Cross shopping centre, with over 120 stores and eateries, is just under three miles away.
Barnet’s Everyman Cinema is housed in a magnificent Art Deco building and offers a fantastic experience for film buffs, while the nearby Bull Theatre is a real local community hub, with regular comedy and music events as well as an annual pantomime. Out on the high street you’ll find a number of big brands alongside smaller local shops, but the main draw here is the number of places to eat and drink.
Food & drink
The high street has a number of historic inns and pubs for grabbing a drink and something to eat. On top of that are a number of independent restaurants, cocktail bars and places to go for some live music and entertainment. If you're looking for more options than Barnet’s great connections can have you in King’s Cross in just a 20-minute tube ride.
Green spaces to explore in Barnet
You’ll be hard pressed to find many places in London where the high street leads directly onto an open common surrounded by Georgian houses, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Barnet. Hadley Green, set over 25 acres, is the oldest open green space in the Barnet area and is also a site of Metropolitan Importance for nature conservation. With leafy walks, ponds teeming with wildlife, and plenty of places to stop, sit and ponder - it’s a fantastic spot to have on your doorstep.
Barnet has a great selection of green spaces to choose from with other areas including King George’s field, Greenhill Gardens and The Old Court recreation ground with play park and café.
What's public transport like in the local area?
Barnet’s travel connections are a major draw for the area, offering small town living with all the benefits of easy access to the City and the Hertfordshire countryside. Barnet train station has regular services to Hertfordshire that connect you in under 30 minutes.
If you’d prefer to travel by car, the M25 is just a five minutes’ drive away.
Moving to Barnet
Barnet has the feel of a small town but with central London just 20 minutes away on the tube it’s incredibly popular with commuters and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life in the city. Barnet’s history is reflected in the architecture of the town, where Barnet new-builds meet rows of Victorian terraces, Georgian town houses and modern apartment buildings. The area is popular with a range of buyers looking to find that perfect Barnet house for sale.
