Totteridge estate agents Maunder Taylor are the people to turn to if you are interested in homes for sale in Potters Bar, Whetstone and the surrounding area. Here we look at the history of all three locations, the types of housing found in each and how we can offer a wide range of properties in all three areas.
Whetstone
There are lots of conflicting theories over the origins of the name Whetstone. Some say it got its name from the Wars of the Roses, when soldiers on their way to fight in the nearby Battle of Barnet made camp here. They allegedly used a sharpening-block, or whetstone, to sharpen their weapons before going into battle. Some say the remains of the stone are outside The Griffin pub on the High Road (pictured).
However, others believe this stone is a mounting block which was used to help travellers get down from their horse-drawn carriages, as the area was an important route out of London and The Griffin was then a well-known coaching inn.
Another theory is that the name Whetstone is connected to the Hospitallers. This was an ancient Catholic military order originally based in nearby Friern Barnet which was forced to move further west in the 14th Century. Their ‘West Town’ eventually became ‘Whetstone’.
Whatever the origins of its name, Whetstone is now one of the most sought-after areas of north London to live in. At the turn of the century, the borough was identified as being the 63rd richest ward in the whole of the UK. Much of this can be put down to the number of millionaires who live on Totteridge Lane.
Whetstone’s excellent transport links (the Totteridge and Whetstone tube station is the penultimate stop on the High Barnet branch of the Northern Line) means it remains an extremely popular place for homebuyers. Its varied mixture of properties includes Victorian terraced houses and more modern developments.
Totteridge
Totteridge is a village in the Whetstone district of Barnet. The name is Saxon in origin and means Tata’s ridge, with the ‘ridge’ part referring to the high ground which runs between Dollis Brook and Folly Brook. These are both tributaries of the River Brent.
The village has always been a desirable place to live. Large parts of it were designated Conservation Areas in 1968, which has restricted the amount of development allowed and ensured the area retained its charm.
In recent times, Totteridge has been home to plenty of famous people with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and entertainer Des O’Connor both owning homes in the village. Some have dubbed it ‘The Beverly Hills of North London.’ However, there are a large number of more affordable homes in the village’s eastern end.
Potters Bar
The name Potters Bar is thought to have come either from a Roman pottery which was located on or near the site of the town or from the wealthy Pottere family who lived in nearby South Mimms.
Potters Bar owes its growth to its position on the outskirts of London. The Great North Road, the Great Northern Railway and, in more recent times, the M25 motorway meant the town was an important staging post on the way out of the capital. This means it became an attractive place to live, work and do business.
A lot of properties were built in the town in the aftermath of the Second World War as part of the plan to take the pressure off more overcrowded areas of North London, such as Edmonton and Tottenham. Now it is a Hertfordshire town – having previously been a part of Middlesex – with a population of more than 20,000.
Totteridge Estate Agents Maunder Taylor
Totteridge estate agents Maunder Taylor are highly experienced estate agents with offices in both Whetstone and Potters Bar (the latter is for residential management enquiries only). We buy and sell commercial and residential properties, including rentals.
If you are interested in homes for sale in Potters Bar and Whetstone find out what properties we currently have on our books, follow this link and click on the ‘Find Properties’ tab. We also offer a range of other services, including property management and insurance, surveys and valuations.