East Barnet
Last Updated on Saturday, 23 August 2008 12:08 Saturday, 16 August 2008 14:22
East Barnet
Parish church of St Mary (1553)
East Barnet is a pleasant village 10
miles north from London and 2 miles south-east of Barnet. It is
called East Barnet to distinguish it from Chipping Barnet and
Friern Barnet immediately adjoining. Since the Conquest, East
Barnet has been part of the manor of Chipping Barnet. The church, St
Mary the Virgin, consists of a nave, built by an Abbot of St
albans early in the 12th century; a chancel built in 1663 by Sir
Robert Bartlet, and a modern brick tower at the west end; to which
was added in 1868 a south aisle of Kentish rag with Bathstone
dressings, and at the same time the interior was restored and
refitted.
The scenery around East Barnet is
pleasing, but the place has lost somewhat of its rural quite since
the opening of the railway. Between the village of East Barnet and
the station many small houses have been built. By the church is
Church Farm, "The Country House," Industrial Schools for
about 100 destitute boys, between the ages of 6 and 13, not
convicted of crime. The farm of 50 acres is cultivated by the
boys. Oak Hill Park, east of the village, is a fine mansion
standing on an eminence and commanding extensive views. Belmont
on the north of it, was formally called Mount Pleasant, and
was the residence of Elias Ashmole, founder of the Ashmolian
Museum.