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The first mention of Arkley comes from 1332 as Arkleyslond. The most accepted theory derives the name from the Anglo-Saxon word for ark meaning wooden container and “leah” which means cleaning in the woods. The name could have meant clearing by the ark or clearing where arks are made. Barnet Gate was called Grendel’s Gate and Grim’s Gate. It is supposedly associated with Grendel the monster from the Saxon epic poem Beowulf. Medieval documents record the area as Southhaw. In the 19th century, this EN5 area was known as West Barnet or Barnet Common. Starting with 1901, the population grew from 483 to more than 16,000.
This North London area stands at 482 feet above sea level and it’s the fifth-highest point in the capital. Zayn Malik, the former member of the boy band One Direction is one of the famous people that lived in Arkley EN5. Tony Blackburn, the BBC radio DJ who started his career for pirate stations in the 60s, is another resident of the area. Footballer Bacary Sagna lived here as well. Arkley is connected to an unfortunate event. In 1975, the Formula 1 driver Graham Hill crashed his private plane on the golf course of Arkley Club. All the people on board lost their lives.
In 1840, Enoch Durant funded the building of St Peter’s Church. The private chapel transformed into an ecclesiastical parish in 1905. The church features the original wall tablet that honors Durant who passed away in 1848. Arkley Windmill was built in 1823. It was restored a few times and now it’s a Grade II listed building. It features four sails and a cast iron windshaft. Steam engine power was added in 1895. Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova visited the Gate Inn. The pub had a tree grown from the floor and through the roof until 1960.
