Southgate, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southgate |
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 Southgate underground station |
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 Southgate
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| Population | 14,454 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TQ296942 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | N14 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Southgate is a lively suburban area in north London, England. It's part of the London Borough of Enfield. This area is about 8 miles (13 km) north of Charing Cross, a famous spot in central London.
Contents
Discovering Southgate's Past
Southgate has a cool history that explains its name!
How Southgate Got Its Name
Southgate was originally the "South Gate" of Enfield Chase. This was a huge hunting ground for the King! You can still see this history in street names like Chase Road and Chase Side. A special blue plaque marks where the old gate used to be. A smaller village called South Street used to be nearby. Over time, these two areas grew together. By 1829, they had merged to form what we now call Southgate Green.
Southgate's Growth in the 1930s
Southgate really started to grow in the 1930s. Many semi-detached houses were built on former estates. This happened because transport links got much better. In 1933, the North Circular Road was finished. Also in 1933, the London Underground Piccadilly line was extended. It reached Southgate tube station and then went on to Oakwood. These new transport options led to a big building boom. By 1939, most of the area was fully developed.
How Southgate Was Governed
In 1894, Southgate became an "urban district" in Middlesex. This was a type of local government area. Then, in 1933, it became the "Municipal Borough of Southgate." The local government worked from the Southgate Town Hall. In 1965, this borough was ended. Southgate then became part of the new London Borough of Enfield. This new borough also included areas like Enfield and Edmonton.
Cool Places to See in Southgate
Southgate has many interesting features, from historic buildings to green parks.
Southgate Tube Station
The Southgate tube station is a famous building. It has a special "art deco" design. This style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The station was designed by Charles Holden. It is so special that it's listed as a Grade II* building. This means it's a very important historical building.
Green Parks and Gardens
Southgate is home to several large, green parks.
- Grovelands Park: This park is huge, covering 92 acres! It has a 7-acre lake that used to be for boating. Next to it is Grovelands House, a Grade I listed building.
- Minchenden Oak Garden: Here you can find the ancient Minchenden Oak tree. It stands near Christ Church.
Historic Buildings and Cricket
- Christ Church: This church was built in 1862 by Sir Gilbert Scott. It has beautiful stained glass windows.
- Walker Cricket Ground: This famous cricket ground is across from Christ Church. It was first used in 1859. It's named after the cricketer John Walker.
Other Notable Spots
The Southgate Green area has many old, important buildings. These include Arnoside House and Essex House and Sandford House & Norbury House. You can also find the early 18th-century Arnos Grove House nearby. Southgate House is another historic building on the High Street.
Getting Around Southgate
The main tube station for Southgate is Southgate tube station on the Piccadilly line. Other nearby stations are Oakwood to the north and Arnos Grove to the south west.
Who Lives in Southgate?
Southgate is a very diverse area, meaning people from many different backgrounds live there.
A Mix of Cultures
Since the early 1900s, Southgate has had a strong Jewish community. Many Greek, Greek Cypriot, Japanese, and Turkish families also live here. In the 2011 census, about 45% of the people were White British. Another 20% were from other White backgrounds.
Famous People from Southgate
Many interesting people have lived in or were born in Southgate!
- Neville Brody: A famous graphic designer, born in Southgate in 1957.
- Errol Brown: A well-known singer.
- Dave Clark: A musician who lived in Chase Side.
- Dave Davies: Another musician from the area.
- Leigh Hunt: A famous essayist and writer, born in Southgate in 1784.
- Ashley Hutchings: A musician, born in 1945.
- Peter Jay: A drummer, born in 1944.
- Jay1: A rapper born in Southgate.
- Thomas Lipton: The founder of Lipton tea, lived nearby until 1931.
- Simon Mayo: A popular radio presenter, born in Southgate in 1958.
- Ron Moody: An actor.
- David Puttnam: A film producer, born in Southgate in 1941.
- Rob Rinder: A barrister and TV judge.
- Dame Flora Robson: A famous stage and cinema star.
- Rachel Stevens: A star from the band S Club 7. She was born and grew up in Southgate.
- Benjamin Waugh: The person who started the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children).
- Amy Winehouse: A famous singer-songwriter. She grew up in the Southgate area.
Learning in Southgate
Southgate has several places for education, from colleges to schools.
Colleges
- Southgate College
- Oak Hill College (This college is actually in the nearby London Borough of Barnet.)
Schools
Primary Schools
- De Bohun Primary School
- St Andrew's CE Primary
- St Monica's RC Primary
- Salcombe Preparatory School (Independent)
- Vita et Pax School (Independent)
- Walker Primary
- West Grove Primary
- Wolfson Hillel Primary
- Osidge Primary School (This school is in the London Borough of Barnet.)
Secondary Schools
- Southgate School
- Ashmole Academy (This academy is in the London Borough of Barnet.)
Places of Worship in Southgate
Southgate has many different religious buildings for its diverse community.
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Synagogues
There are several synagogues in or near Southgate:
- Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue
- Palmers Green and Southgate Synagogue (both are part of the United Synagogue)
- Southgate Progressive Synagogue in Oakwood
- Chabad Southgate
Churches
- Christ Church: Located near Southgate Green. It was built in 1862. The church has London's largest collection of stained glass by Morris, Marshall Faulkner & Co.
- St Andrew's Southgate: The parish church, found on Chase Side.
- Emmanuel Evangelical Church: Meets at Ashmole School.
- Southgate Methodist Church: On The Bourne, near Southgate Underground station. It was built in 1929 and is a busy community place.
Southgate Mosque
Southgate Mosque is located at Southgate House on Southgate High Street. It opened in 2021. It provides a place for the local Muslim community to pray.
Historic Pubs and Inns
Because Southgate is an old village, it used to have many pubs. These were important places for travelers coming from London. Many were on Chase Side. Some old pubs have been torn down or changed. For example, The Waggon is now a restaurant. The Rising Sun used to be a stop for horse-drawn buses. The Hart (formerly The White Hart) is one of the oldest pubs still open in the area. Other famous local pubs include Ye Olde Cherry Tree and The Woodman.
Local News
If you want to read about what's happening in Southgate, you can check out the local newspaper:
| Newspaper | Link |
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| Enfield Independent |
