From battlefield to garden suburb
High Barnet sits on an old coaching route north out of London, and the fields outside the town were the site of the Battle of Barnet in 1471, a decisive clash in the Wars of the Roses. The town still has the feel of a market settlement on a ridge, with views over the surrounding green belt.
Further south, Hampstead Garden Suburb, begun in 1907, became a model for planned housing, with tree-lined closes designed around open spaces. Golders Green, Finchley, Hendon, Mill Hill and Edgware each have their own distinct centre, which is why it pays to give a precise neighbourhood when booking travel here.
Places worth knowing
- RAF Museum London in Hendon, on the site of a historic aerodrome, with free entry to its hangars of aircraft.
- Brent Cross, one of the first large covered shopping centres in Britain when it opened in 1976.
- Hampstead Garden Suburb and the Heath Extension for quiet walks.
- Mill Hill Village and Totteridge for an unexpectedly rural corner of London.
Getting in and out
Both branches of the Northern line serve the borough, ending at High Barnet and Edgware. Thameslink trains stop at Mill Hill Broadway, Hendon and Cricklewood, giving direct access to St Pancras, London Bridge and Luton Airport Parkway. By road, the M1 begins at Staples Corner, while the A1 and the A406 North Circular cross the borough.
Airport transfers from Barnet
Luton Airport is often the most convenient airport, particularly from Mill Hill, Edgware and High Barnet, using the M1. Heathrow is reached via the A406 and A40 or the M1 and M25, and journey times vary widely with North Circular traffic. Stansted is usually reached via the M25. For school-run hours, allow extra time around Henlys Corner and Brent Cross.
More detail is on our Luton Airport transfers and Heathrow Airport transfers pages.
Pickup tips for this borough
Many roads in Hampstead Garden Suburb are narrow and closely parked, so a precise house number and any access notes help. For collections at Brent Cross or the RAF Museum, tell us which entrance or car park you will be waiting at.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best airport for Barnet?
Luton is usually the quickest from the north and west of the borough via the M1. Heathrow suits long-haul travel but depends more on North Circular traffic.
Is the RAF Museum in Hendon worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of London's largest free museums, with aircraft from the First World War to the present day, and works well for a family day out.
Can you pick up from Brent Cross?
Yes. Let us know the entrance or car park and we will arrange the meeting point in advance.