Southgate’s history dates back to 1370, when a medieval settlement clustered around the South Gate of the King's hunting grounds of Enfield Chase. Life remained quiet until the Piccadilly Line reached here in 1933. Within just a few years, new housing was built, parades of shops appeared and Londoners headed north in their droves. The Tube station is a circular architectural delight and looks rather like a spaceship. The town centre is filled with restaurants, bars and shops, all surrounded by a wealth of green space. With a variety of housing, often on wide tree lined streets, Southgate has become popular with families, professional couples and those looking to upgrade. While the journey to Central London takes only about 30 minutes, Southgate feels like a separate town, with everything you need on your doorstep. In 1881 Southgate separated from Edmonton and had a population of around 11,000. However, with access to the rail network in nearby Palmers Green, the population of Southgate trebled in 30 years. The majority of development, however, was during the interwar period when the hilly former estates were converted into rows of large semi detached housing. In 1933 Southgate’s transport links developed to provide easy access to the whole of London. The North Circular was completed through Southgate and the Piccadilly Line was extended from Arnos Grove. This spurred a building boom, and by the 1940s the neighbourhood was transformed. The area has a predominance of 1930s houses in all shapes and sizes, from grand detached mansions to mock Tudor semis and modest terraces. There are fine Georgian houses on The Green, which is south of Southgate town centre, and scattered about are two bedroom Victorian and Georgian cottages and three bedroom Edwardian houses. There are also purpose built blocks of low rise flats and some modern housing estates. Top restaurants and places: • La Paella • Warda • Green’s Steakhouse & Grill • Fantozzi • Ye Olde Cherry Tree • The Woodman • The Chicken Shed Theatre Local amenities • The Balloon Shop • Just Bridesmaids • M&S • Boots • Harris & Hoole • Southgate circus library • Oakwood library • Southgate leisure centre • LA Fitness • Saracens RFC • For supermarket shopping, locals head to the large Asda on Chase Side that also has a petrol station, or one of two smaller Tesco stores close by. Southgate and the surrounding areas are blessed with an abundance of green space like Grovelands Park boasting a nine hole pitch and putt course, cafe, bowling green, basketball courts and more. Broomfield Park features a baroque water garden, model boating pond and community orchard. Transport Tube: Southgate and Arnos Grove are both served by the Piccadilly Line. Rail: To the south lie New Southgate and Palmers Green railway stations, which provide services to Moorgate in one direction and Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage in the other. Bus: There are a range of buses on mainly local routes, including the 121, 125 and 298, as well as the N91 from Central London. Road: It’s a short hop to the M25 and the nearest junction of the M1, so getting out of the Capital for a break is quick and easy. Getting away: Heathrow is 45 minutes away by car, or head north to reach Luton Airport in only 35 minutes. Education There are a number of primaries in Southgate and the surrounding areas, including: • Walker primary • Osidge primary • Ashmole Academy • Southgate School