I moved to Hadley Wood about 18 years ago from Kent. We came to visit a friend in Hadley Wood and I fell in love with the area. It’s so beautiful.
For me, it was aspirational. I thought: how can I ever live here?
We found what was probably the littlest house in Hadley Wood at the time, and started to dream of how we could extend it.
The charm of Hadley Wood is that it’s a wonderful community.
Culturally, it’s very mixed, and everyone celebrates that. We have a WhatsApp group, so everyone keeps in touch, and we all look after one another. I love that it’s so safe here and how self-sufficient we are.
Where would we go from here? You’re just not going to get the same thing in London. You’re going to get all that busyness, and it’s amazing that this is so close to the heart of London. It’s priceless.
Eating and drinking
The best places are on Cockfosters Parade, which is five minutes down the road. There are about 10 to 20 top-notch restaurants there, and they’re always busy. We’re spoiled for choice.
We’ve got a fantastic fish and chip shop, Chippers, and a fabulous sushi place, Kiyoto Sushi. Skewd, on Cockfosters Road, and Middeys Brasserie, on Cockfosters Parade, are both amazing.
My favourite place for breakfast is Miracles, on Cockfosters Parade. Their customer service is amazing, but if you don’t get there on time, you will not get a seat. I order the regular English breakfast and load it up with mushrooms and egg. Their burgers are nice, too.
Where I work out
There’s a gym, but it’s quite pricey. We’ve got lots of parks, as well as Hadley Wood Association on Crescent East, where there’s a tennis court and a playground.
We’ve got a golf course as well, on Beech Hill.
There are running groups, dance groups, singing groups. It all depends on what you want to do.
To commune with nature
Living on the outskirts of London is the best of both worlds. It feels like you’re outside the city, but the middle of London is less than half an hour away.
The best park for me is West Lodge Park. It’s a huge, 35-acre natural space that belongs to the West Lodge Park Hotel, but it’s accessible to the public. The grounds are beautiful. You can walk there, sit in the gardens or have a picnic. It has a decadent feel. If you want to experience the whole thing, you can have a drink or coffee in the restaurant. It’s such a treat.
Grocery shopping
One of the best bits about being here is all the fresh food that you have access to. Parkside Farm on Hadley Road is very close to us — you can go and pick your own organic vegetables, fruit, strawberries, raspberries and sunflowers.
There’s a Fios Food Centre on Cockfosters Parade, with all the natural fruit and veg, and a Tesco and Asda further down.
The Londis on Crescent West is run by the friendliest couple. You go in and they make you feel like family. During Covid, the owners offered home delivery services of newspapers and shopping to elderly people who couldn’t get out, which helped them feel connected to the outside world. I’ve loved them and I’ve never been able to communicate that to them, but they are wonderful.
For a culture fix
There’s Chickenshed Theatre on Chase Side in Southgate, which is down the road, and the Hadley Wood Association holds events for the community.
I love how St Paul’s Church, on Camlet Way, has created a space where the door is open to everyone. We have a joint humanity, where we all go through pain, and we have one another for support.
Getting around
There’s only one bus that goes into Hadley Wood, but if you walk out on to the main road, there are more options.
We have a mainline station, which is in Zone 6, and it’s only 17 minutes to Finsbury Park. The nearest Underground station is Cockfosters.
Dream street
Beech Hill. The houses are breathtaking. I always imagine how grand their kitchens must be.
Something you only see in Hadley Wood
Our fireworks event. I don’t think there’s another community I know of that throws a better fireworks party than Hadley Wood. I’m telling you, the tickets always sell out. It’s such a lovely event for neighbours to meet and bond.
What's the catch?
The fact that there’s only one bus coming into Hadley Wood. If you miss it, uh oh. And when the trains go belly up, you better have some money for a taxi.
The transport can definitely be improved.
In three words
Quiet. Community. Discerning.
Bola Obileye is a resident chef on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch and appeared in Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars. She runs food and drinks brands Skinny Cook and Jitterbug. @bolaobileye
Schools
Monken Hadley Church of England primary school is rated outstanding, with Hadley Wood and Livingstone primary schools both deemed good.
For secondaries, Queen Elizabeth School, Dame Alice Owen’s and Highlands are the top choices.
What it costs
Buying in Hadley Wood
Average flat price: N/A
Average house price: £1,502,820
Renting in Hadley Wood
Average flat price: £2,470 pcm
Average house price: £4,320 pcm
