Intro
Wonderful Mill Hill sits on the green belt, less than 10 miles from central London and overlooking the city to the south and open countryside to the north (from The Ridgeway, which forms the backbone of the old village).
At the bottom of the hill, there’s the bustling Broadway, with its numerous shops and cafés, nestled strategically between the A1 and M1. The area draws swathes of families and young professionals due to its village charm, proximity to the city, open spaces and great schools. There are plenty of boutique stores, delis and country-style pubs to enjoy and Brent Cross shopping centre is close by. The abundance of green space means that there are excellent options for outdoor recreation, including parks and the beautiful Arrandene – an open space that reaches all the way to Totteridge and beyond, perfect for avid walkers. Village charm and the great outdoors are coupled with excellent transport links: Thameslink train services run from Mill Hill Broadway (20 minutes into St Pancras International); Mill Hill East sits on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line; and there are even some buses serving the area that run into central London. This is a peaceful and laid-back place to live, offering a change of pace for those wanting to escape the rigours of city life.
Trivia
The National Institute for Medical Research, an imposing landmark set on The Ridgeway, can be seen for miles around the area and might seem oddly familiar because it starred as the asylum in the film Batman Begins.
Smartest streets
Whether its striking period charm in the form of Georgian, Victorian and turn-of-the-century homes or modern practicality that you’re after, Mill Hill boasts a wonderful mix of property to choose from. Large bay-fronted exteriors, high ceilings, gables and elegant porches are all common features in the older buildings. The Ridgeway has grand Georgian houses as well as smaller weatherboard cottages and luxury modern developments offering flats with up to three bedrooms. Between Northway Circus and Mill Hill Circus, Uphill Road has large detached 1920s mansions; and Mill Hill Broadway offers 1920s semis and terraces as well as modern flats and houses. The 1930s homes located off Lawrence Street are also highly desirable. Further afield, there are some modern developments, such as Lidbury Square and Millbrook Park; there’s a recent development of townhouses and flats close to Mill Hill East Tube station; and a unique retirement village off Hammers Lane. Marsh Lane, Uphill Grove, Tretawn Gardens and Sunnyfield all boast beautiful and substantial family homes.