The London Borough of Enfield
Located in North London, the London Borough of Enfield is a diverse and historic borough offering a unique mix of urban and green landscapes.
Introduction and Location
The London Borough of Enfield lies in the far north of Greater London, forming part of Outer London. It shares borders with the London Boroughs of Barnet to the west, Haringey to the south, and Waltham Forest to the southeast. To the north, it touches the county of Hertfordshire, making it a key transition zone between London and the Home Counties.
The town centre of Enfield, known as Enfield Town, is a major commercial hub in the borough and lies approximately 10.1 miles (16.3 km) north of Charing Cross, traditionally considered the central point of London.
History and Establishment
The London Borough of Enfield was officially formed in 1965 by the merger of the former Municipal Boroughs of Enfield, Southgate, and Edmonton under the London Government Act 19631. The borough has deep historic roots, with Enfield Town mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Enefelde."
Size and Population
Enfield covers an area of 82.20 square kilometres (31.74 square miles), making it one of the larger London boroughs in terms of land area2.
As of the most recent estimates, the borough has a population of approximately 333,600 residents3. The borough is ethnically diverse:
- White: 38.8%
- Black (African, Caribbean, or Black British): 18.1%
- Asian (primarily Turkish, Bangladeshi, and Indian): 14.7%
- Mixed and Other: 28.4%
Name Origin
The name "Enfield" is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon term "Eanafeld," meaning "open land belonging to a man called Ēana."4 The presence of the River Lea and its fertile valley would have made it an attractive settlement in early medieval times.
Population Density
Enfield's population density stands at approximately 4,058 people per square kilometre. This is relatively low compared to inner London boroughs, some of which exceed 10,000 residents per square kilometre. Enfield's blend of suburban housing and green belt land contributes to this lower density5.
Property Prices and Rental Rates
As of 2025, the average residential property price in Enfield is approximately £470,000, with average monthly rental prices for a two-bedroom flat hovering around £1,6006. These prices are lower than the London average, making Enfield an attractive option for families and commuters seeking more space and affordability.
London Underground Stations in Enfield
While much of Enfield is served by National Rail rather than the Tube, there is one London Underground line that reaches into the borough:
- Oakwood – Piccadilly Line
- Southgate – Piccadilly Line
- Arnos Grove – Piccadilly Line (partially within the borough)
Other Rail Services
Enfield is well-served by National Rail and London Overground services. Key stations include:
- Enfield Town – London Overground (Liverpool Street Line)
- Enfield Chase – Great Northern (Moorgate Line)
- Southbury – London Overground
- Edmonton Green – London Overground and Greater Anglia
- Winchmore Hill – Great Northern
- Gordon Hill – Great Northern
- Turkey Street, Theobalds Grove – London Overground
Fun Fact
Enfield is credited with the creation of the world’s first ATM (Automated Teller Machine), installed at a Barclays Bank branch in Enfield Town in 1967. The machine was unveiled by actor Reg Varney of *On the Buses* fame7.
Quick Facts
- Official Name: London Borough of Enfield
- Established: 1965
- Location: Northernmost borough of London
- Area: 82.20 km² (31.74 sq mi)
- Population: Approx. 333,600
- Ethnic Composition: 38.8% White, 18.1% Black, 14.7% Asian, 28.4% Mixed/Other
- Population Density: 4,058/km² (Lower than London average)
- Average Property Price: £470,000
- Average Rent (2-bed): £1,600/month
- Town Centre: Enfield Town (10.1 miles from Charing Cross)
- London Underground Stations: Oakwood, Southgate (Piccadilly Line)
- Other Rail Stations: Enfield Town, Enfield Chase, Edmonton Green, etc.
- Fun Fact: Site of the world’s first ATM in 1967
References
- London Government Act 1963
- Greater London Authority GIS Dataset
- Enfield Council - Statistics
- British History Online - Enfield
- London Datastore - Borough Profiles
- Rightmove - Enfield Property Prices
- Barclays – History of the ATM
Map of Enfield, London
Painting of Enfield, London (View image in full size)
