The unknown wonders of Enfield in greater London.

I was born in 1964 at Chase Farm hospital in the London borough of Enfield.  Enfield is the most northerly borough of London.  The centre of London is a 40 minute underground train ride away.  Up until 1965 Enfield was part of the county of Middlesex.  Due to the expansion of London the county of Middlesex was devolved and Enfield became part of Greater London.

Enfield’s Coat of Arms.

Enfield was recorded in the Doomsday book of 1086 it was then spelt as“Enefelde” the name of Enefelde was derived from the words “Eana” and “feld” in old English Eana meant lambs and “Feld” meant an open area where trees had been felled.  So if literally translated Enfield means fields where lambs are raised.

Enfield was occupied by Romans and as late as 1900 roman artefacts were being found in Edmonton which is part of the London borough of Enfield.  Enfield was connected to “Londinium” and York by one unbroken Roman called “Ermine street”.

In 1303 King Edward the 1st of England granted Enfield the right to hold an open air market one day a week, this tradition still carries on to this day! Part of Enfield town is closed off on a Thursday to market traders (Well worth a visit).

The Enfield I knew as I grew up has changed some what as do most borough’s of big cities.  However there is still plenty of historical sites left to satisfy any tourist.  The “Ridgeway” in Enfield is mentioned throughout history, the Ridgeway is one of the highest points in Enfield.  The centre of London is 13 miles away and on a clear day London can be easily seen including St Paul’s Cathedral and the Docklands area.

Enfield has a few claims to fame that perhaps you didn’t know?  The “Lee Enfield” assault rifle was designed and built in the “Royal Small Arms Factory” in Enfield Wash.  The S.M.L.E. (Short magazine Lee Enfield) was the standard British rifle issued in WW1 and WW2. A modern version of the Lee Enfield is still used by the police force as a long range sniper rifle.