About Childs Hill
Situated south of Golders Green, along its eastern border, Childs Hill enjoys a lofty position overlooking London. The area has quiet residential streets with attractive semi-detached and terraced houses interspersed with some mid-rise apartment blocks built in the 1950s and 60s. Many of the shops and services are concentrated across Cricklewood Lane and Finchley Road.
A short history
According to local lore, Childs Hill took its name from Richard le Child, who owned the land in the early 14th century. During the 1700s, as Hampstead was expanding, the area was a centre for brick and tile making. In the latter half of the 19th century, laundries took over as the primary enterprise servicing the wealthy families of nearby Hampstead (using the high ground and breezes to dry garments and sheets) but the last of these closed in 2006.
Green spaces and going out
There's no shortage of parks here. Childs Hill Park is a large open green space with tennis courts, a bowling green and paddling pool. At the weekend, it's busy with local sports enthusiasts. Other areas include Basing Hill Park with Golders Hill Park. Nearby Golders Green and Hampstead village provide a further selection of pubs, bars and restaurants.
Transport
Golders Green Underground station (Zone 3), on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line, is an 18-minute walk. Trains to the West End take 30 mins.
Did you know?
The protagonist in Alexei Sayle's short story, Barcelona Plates, stays at the Palm Hotel at the western end of Childs Hill.
