Cockfosters
Coordinates: 51°39′10″N 0°09′22″W / 51.6527°N 0.1560°W
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.
Origins and popular attractions
The name has been 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)".[1][2]
Of note in Cockfosters is Trent Park which serves as a country park. Christ Church, Cockfosters was founded in 1839.[3]
The Piccadilly line of the London Underground reached Cockfosters in 1933. The Cock Inn (formerly the Cock), offset from 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.
Neighbouring areas
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New Barnet | Hadley Wood | Trent Park | |
| East Barnet |  |
Oakwood | ||
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 | ||||
| Oakleigh Park | Osidge | Southgate |
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). ("Chase Side" is the name of a road between Cockfosters and Southgate); however, they moved to and currently reside in Watford. 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.
Cockfosters is home to Trent Country Park, which covers approximately 320 hectares, inviting many tourists, and being a popular walking ground for local residents. Another attraction within Trent Park's grounds, being only installed in 2012, is the treetop adventure park GoApe, where in groups one can explore the trees, whilst attached securely to zip-line ropes, overcoming obstacles such as tight ropes or wobbling planks.
Culture
Cockfosters is the name given to a 2015 short story collection by Helen Simpson. One of the short stories features a visit to 'lost property' at Cockfosters Underground station.[4]
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.
Transport
- Cockfosters Station is the terminus of the Piccadilly line.
References
- ↑ Harris, Cyril M. (1977). What's in a name?. London: Capital Transport. ISBN 1-85414-241-0.
- ↑ Christ Church Cockfosters: 125 years. Franey & Co., London, c. 1964. p. 5.
- ↑ "Christ Church Cockfosters". Christ Church Cockfosters. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ↑ Simpson, Helen (2015-11-05). Cockfosters. S.l.: Jonathan Cape. ISBN 9781910702208.
External links
Media related to Cockfosters at Wikimedia Commons
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| Section 16: | London Outer Orbital Path | Section 17: |
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| Elstree | Cockfosters | Enfield Lock |