London Borough of Barnet

Hendon Town Hall

London Borough of Barnet

The London Borough of Barnet is a suburban London borough in North London, England, forming part of Outer London. It is the second largest London borough by population with over 390,000 inhabitants and covers an area of 86.74 square kilometers. The borough was formed in 1965 from parts of the counties of Middlesex and Hertfordshire under the London Government Act 1963, merging the former areas of Hendon and Finchley Borough Councils along with Barnet Urban District Council and East Barnet Urban District Council.

History

The area has a rich history, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Roman times. Barnet was historically a part of Middlesex before becoming a part of Greater London in 1965. The Battle of Barnet, one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses, was fought in the area in 1471.

Geography

Barnet is bordered by Hertfordshire to the north, and by the London boroughs of Harrow and Brent to the west, Camden and Haringey to the south, and Enfield to the east. The borough's geography is varied, including urban districts in the south and more rural areas in the north with parks and open spaces.

Demographics

The borough has a diverse population, with a significant number of Jewish, Asian, and Afro-Caribbean residents. The diversity of the population is reflected in the variety of religious buildings and cultural festivals found within the borough.

Economy

Barnet has a mixed economy with a combination of retail, business, and manufacturing sectors. Major shopping centers include Brent Cross, which was the first large enclosed shopping center in the UK when it opened in 1976.

Transport

The borough is well served by public transport, with several London Underground lines, including the Northern Line and the Piccadilly Line, as well as numerous bus routes. The M1 motorway also starts in Barnet, providing road links to the north of England.

Education

Barnet has a range of educational institutions, from primary schools to higher education. Notable institutions include Middlesex University, which has a campus in the borough.

Local Government

The local authority is Barnet London Borough Council. The council is responsible for local services such as education, refuse collection, and planning permission. The borough is divided into wards, each represented by elected councillors.

Culture and Community

Barnet is home to several arts and cultural venues, including the Artsdepot, a multi-purpose cultural centre. The borough also hosts various community and cultural events throughout the year, such as the Barnet Market and the Barnet Fair.

Notable Places

• Barnet Copthall, a leisure complex and the home of Saracens rugby club.
• Kenwood House, a historic house and museum on the edge of Hampstead Heath, technically just outside the borough boundary but closely associated with Barnet.
• RAF Museum London, located in Hendon, dedicated to the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force.

See Also

• List of districts in Barnet
• List of people from Barnet
• List of schools in Barnet