This article was the first in a long series by Stephen Gilburt to be published by The Enfield Society in its quarterly newsletter, this one appearing in issue 172, Winter 2008, and shows some of the buildings in and around Enfield Town which have been demolished over the past 50 years.
Illustration 1. These early 19th century former farm cottages in Cecil Road later became Laing’s garage before being demolished in 1979 for the Palace Gardens shopping precinct.
Illustration 2. The 1924 Enfield Arms in Genotin Road in 2003 shortly before the new one-way system was introduced.
Illustration 3. Christ Church manse in Chase Side was built for the minister and his family in 1887. It was replaced by a care home in 1995.
Illustration 4. Emmanuel Baptist Church of 1852 in Baker Street in 1970. The church itself was demolished in 1977 and the hall behind it now belongs to Enfield Evangelical Free Church.
Illustration 5. Viewed from Chase Side, the former workhouse built in 1826, on the site of an earlier building. later became St Michael’s Hospital. It was demolished in 1995 following a fire and blocks of flats were built on part of the site.
Illustration 6. The Queen’s Hall cinema of 1911 was reopened in 1947 as the Florida and, after closure in 1976, was converted into the Townhouse nightclub. It is shown as it was in 2003 before Genotin Road was extended.
Illustration 7. Fir Tree House in Silver Street was built to replace a Georgian house after the First World War. It was pulled down for the extension to the Civic Centre which was opened in 1975. The decorative iron gate and railings in front of Fir Tree House were re-used to form an entrance to St Andrew’s churchyard at the suggestion of the Enfield Preservation Society.
Illustration 8. Early 19th century cottages in Church Lane shortly before their removal for the Council’s proposed ring road scheme. This was rejected by the government Minister of Housing in 1967 after a campaign led by the Enfield Preservation Society.
Illustration 9. The former Chase Side Chapel, rebuilt in 1830, was demolished in 1963. Behind is Christ Church United Reformed Church, opened in 1875 on the site of Zion Chapel.
Illustration 10. The Cecil Cafe in Cecil Road in 1969. The site is now part of the Palace Exchange shopping precinct.
Illustration 11. The old Enfield Gas Company offices of 1897 and 1906 in Sydney Road being demolished in 1969. The site is now part of the Palace Exchange shopping precinct.
Illustration 12. The 300 year old farm bothy in Gentleman’s Row was replaced in 1970 by a neo-Georgian house.
We have cancelled all our planned talks for March and April and are keeping the situation under review. Please check our coronavirus page for the latest news.
This walk has now been cancelled. Easter Sunday. Meet 10.30 Oakwood Station (Piccadilly Line or 121 and 307 buses) for about 5½ mile linear walk via Trent Park, Merryhills Way, London Loop and Jubilee Path to then re-enter Trent Park for lunch stop at Trent Park café and option to...
This talk has now been cancelled. Talk by Mark Lewis. Joint meeting between The Enfield Society and Edmonton Hundred Historical Society. Doors open 7.30pm. Visitors welcome, £1 each.
This walk has now been cancelled. Meet 10.38 Hayes (Kent) Station (10.01 Southeastern Hayes train from London Bridge mainline station—usually from platforms 1-5). About 9 mile linear walk to Hamsey Green via an attractive mix of woodland, heathland, farmland and pastures with long distance views across London. Several shorter options...
Talk by Joe Studman. There are mosaics, sculptures, paintings and memorials in Enfield that many of us walk past every day without really noticing them. Take a virtual tour around the borough looking at the works of art displayed in public places for all to see. Free but advanced ticket...
This walk has now been cancelled. Meet 10.03 Hornsey Station (09.48 train from Enfield Chase or short ride by 41 bus from Turnpike Lane Station). 8 mile linear walk following the New River with an intriguing mix of urban and semi-rural scenes via Woodberry Wetlands, Clissold Park and Canonbury to...
This walk has now been cancelled. Join local history speaker Joe Studman on a tour of Enfield Town discovering War Memorials, bomb sites, ARP posts and other locations relating to Enfield’s participation in the 1939–1945 conflict. The walk will last between 90 and 120 minutes at a steady walking pace....
This talk has now been cancelled. Talk by Lee Prosser. The rooms where Queen Victoria grew up at Kensington Palace were, until recently just a shadow of their former selves. Research has helped to restore them to Regency splendour for the latest exhibition dedicated to her early life and also...
This walk has now been cancelled. Meet 10.45 Blackfriars Underground Station (Circle and District Lines or by Thameslink services at 09.52 or 10.08 from Finsbury Park mainline station). 5 to 6 mile circular walk including famous landmarks and some lesser known areas in the western part of the City of...
Meet 10.30 Welwyn North Station ticket office (10.00 Thameslink Cambridge train from Finsbury Park mainline station or at 10.13 from Potters Bar Station). About 7 mile circular walk with attractive views, bluebell woods, village greens and river valley scenes. Hilly in places. No shorter option. Lunch stop at Tewin. Bring...
Depart 10.30 Temple Station (Circle and District Lines). About 2½ hour linear walk exploring this fascinating area which still remains an integral part of the legal profession but no longer a centre for newspapers. Shorter options. Route ends near St Paul’s Cathedral with many lunch facilities nearby. Leader: Sara James
