Golders Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golders Green |
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 Golders Green clock tower |
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 Golders Green Underground station |
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 Golders Green
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| Population | 18,818 (2011 Census.Ward) |
| OS grid reference | TQ248876 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | NW11, NW2 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Golders Green is an area in the London Borough of Barnet in England. It started as a small village near a farm many years ago. Over time, it grew into a busy suburb.
Today, Golders Green is about 6 miles (9 km) north-west of central London. It is known for its lively main shopping street, Golders Green Road. The area also has many different types of homes.
In the early 1900s, Golders Green grew very fast. This happened because a tube station opened there. The area is also famous for its large Jewish community. It has the biggest Jewish kosher food area in the United Kingdom. This makes it a popular place for Jewish visitors.
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History of Golders Green
The name Golders comes from a family called Godyere. They lived in the area a long time ago. "Green" refers to a common grazing area where the village was built. Golders Green has been part of the Hendon area since the 1200s.
The nearby area of "Temple Fortune" got its name from the Knights Hospitaller. They were a group of knights who owned land here around 1240. "Fortune" might come from an old word for a small settlement.
In the 1800s, a new road called Finchley Road was built. This helped the small village of Golders Green grow. By the late 1800s, about 300 people lived here. There was a laundry and a small hospital for children. Brick making was an important local business.
A Jewish cemetery opened in 1895. The Golders Green Crematorium opened in 1902. A big change happened in 1907 when the Underground station opened. This made it much easier to travel to and from Golders Green.
In 1910, a tram line connected Golders Green to other areas. This led to more building, especially west of Finchley Road. The creation of Hampstead Garden Suburb also brought many changes. The old Temple Fortune Farm was taken down. New shops and buildings were put up instead.
The Golders Green Hippodrome theatre and the police station both opened in 1913. The Hippodrome was once home to the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Geography of Golders Green
Golders Green is divided into different areas for local elections. These are called Golders Green ward, Childs Hill ward, and Garden Suburb ward. These areas help decide who represents the community.
The area is generally between 50 and 80 meters (164 to 262 feet) above sea level. It is next to the Heath Extensions, which are part of Hampstead Heath. This is a large, beautiful park.
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Hendon | Temple Fortune | Hampstead Garden Suburb | |
| Brent Cross |  |
Hampstead Heath | ||
 Golders Green  |
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| Cricklewood | Childs Hill | Hampstead |
People and Communities
Golders Green is well-known for its large Jewish population. In 2021, almost half of the people living here identified as Jewish. This makes Golders Green and its nearby areas like Hampstead and Hendon a major center for Jewish life in Europe.
Most residents in the Golders Green area are White (64%). This includes British and other European people. Other groups like Indians, East Asians, and Black Africans also live here.
Jewish Community
The Jewish community has been important in Golders Green since the early 1900s. Many Jewish immigrants came here, especially after the 1930s. They built synagogues and schools, like Menorah Primary School.
Today, Golders Green has many kosher restaurants and shops. There are also over 40 synagogues and 30 Jewish schools. The Jewish communities of Hendon and Golders Green often share schools and religious leaders.
Japanese and East Asian Community
Golders Green also has a growing Japanese and East Asian community. Many families from these areas live here. You can find many restaurants and shops that sell Japanese and other East Asian foods, like the Seoul Plaza supermarket.
Economy
Golders Green has a wide range of restaurants. You can find food from India, Israel, Thailand, Turkey, Japan, China, Korean, and Italian cuisines. There are also many coffee shops and special food stores. The main street has banks and other useful services.
Transport
Golders Green station is a London Underground tube station. It is on the Northern line. This station is the first one above ground when you travel north on the Edgware branch.
Right outside the station is Golders Green bus station. This is a very important place for London Buses in North West London. Long-distance coaches also stop here. Many bus routes pass through Golders Green, connecting it to different parts of London.
Education
Golders Green has several state-funded primary schools. These include Brookland Infant & Junior, Garden Suburb Infant & Junior, Menorah Primary School, and Wessex Gardens.
The King Alfred School is located on North End Road. The Henrietta Barnett School is in the nearby Hampstead Garden Suburb.
Places of Worship
Churches
The main Anglican church is St. Alban the Martyr. It was designed by a famous architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The church was built in 1933.
St. Edward the Confessor is a Roman Catholic church. It was built in 1915. There is also a Greek Orthodox cathedral and a Coptic Orthodox church. Both of these used to be Anglican churches.
The Golders Green Unitarian Church was built in 1925. It is a special building with a famous mural by Ivon Hitchens.
Synagogues
Golders Green has many synagogues. The first, Golders Green United Synagogue (Dunstan Road), started in 1915. Its current building opened in 1922. Other synagogues, like the Golders Green Beth Hamedrash, opened later.
The Beth Shmuel Synagogue is one of the most important synagogues in North West London. It moved to Golders Green in 1945.
Other Religious Buildings
The old Golders Green Hippodrome theatre has changed its use several times. It was an Islamic center for a while. Now, it is a Hillsong Church.
Community Facilities
Golders Hill Park is a beautiful park next to Hampstead Heath. It has a small zoo that is free to enter. The park also features a walled garden, duck ponds, and a water garden. There is a very popular café too. In the summer, the park hosts activities for children and live music.
The nearby Golders Green Crematorium has a large garden. It includes a special section for children and a pond. The garden has an Italian style.
Golders Green in Books and Music
Golders Green has appeared in different stories and songs.
- The humorous short story "The Ghoul of Golders Green" by Michael Arlen is set here.
- In his 1946 book "The Great Divorce," C.S. Lewis features a character from Golders Green.
- George Harrison from The Beatles recorded a song called "Going Down to Golders Green." He visited members of the band Badfinger who lived in the area.
- Two albums by Pete Ham of Badfinger are named after places in Golders Green: 7 Park Avenue and Golders Green.
Places to See
- Golders Green Hippodrome
- Ivy House on North End Road, once home to the famous dancer Anna Pavlova
- Golders Green War Memorial
- Golders Hill Park
- Golders Green tube station
Famous People from Golders Green
Many well-known people have lived in or were born in Golders Green.
- Dannie Abse, a Welsh poet and doctor.
- Michael Allmand, a brave soldier who received the Victoria Cross.
- Kazuo Ishiguro, a famous novelist.
- Michael McIntyre, a popular comedian.
- Anthony Joshua, a British professional boxer.
See also
In Spanish: Golders Green para niños
