Exploring Mill Hill Village

This month saw me pay not one, but four visits to the North London Village of Mill Hill.

And yet being only 10 miles from Central London and the hustle and bustle of our busy

City, being there really felt like I was out in the middle of the countryside. And so

it came as no surprise to learn that Mill Hill was once part of the historic County of

Middlesex up until 1965 when it then became part of Greater London.

The area's name was first recorded as Myllehill in 1563 and appears to mean "Hill

with a Windmill." And although many local residents claim that the whole area 

is made up of four distinctive communities and identities, it was the Old part 

of Mill Hill that captured my interest, particularly around the area of the Village and

the Village Pond known as Angel Pond (top image above). The Pond was named

after a Pub that once stood nearby. And the red brick Church by the Pond was once a

Methodist Chapel, first built in 1892, and is now occupied by The Brotherhood of

The Cross and Star.

And it was on my final visit there during that hot week in early June that I had planned to

film a video around the Pond area, just a day after filming in The Brent River, but

alas the clouds moved in. So I thought I'd come back another day during the Summer

and try again.

The Mill Hill Preservation Society

Serving the Community since 1949

Above is the cottage once known as the Old General Store. A Grade II Listed three bedroom

detached Cottage that dates back to 1695. Situated right next to The Village Pond, it once served

as the local Post Office as well as the General Store. And when this property last came up 

For Sale, it's asking price was £779,950.

Above and below is the picturesque Rosebank Cottage. A late 17th century house

that became a Meeting place for the Quakers and was often visited by George Fox,

founder of the Quakers.

Above:  One of the pretty Cottages in The Ridgeway next door

to St Paul's Church. The Cottages date back to the 16th century.

This old vintage 1932 Black Ford car seems to be a permanent fixture

in the Village. It can often be seen in videos and pictures of Mill Hill.

Above: The Ridgeway. An old medieval route that goes through the heart

of Mill Hill.

Scenes like these make you feel like you're right out in the English countryside.

But let's not forget that all this was once part of the County of Middlesex. And it only

became part of Greater London in 1965.

Above: The Sheepwash Pond next to Belmont Farm which was once regularly used

by drovers as an animal rest and wagon wash on the long sheep and cattle drive

to Smithfield Market in London.

Above:  The Belmont Mill Hill Preparatory School

Above: The rather grand frontage of The Mill Hill School which was built

in 1807.  And in 1924 an added construction was built at the front of the building

called The Memorial Gateway - The Gate of Honour. Built in memory of the lives lost

in The First World War. And annual ceremonies are held here on Remembrance Sunday. 

The Arch entrance is almost reminiscent of the once famous Euston Station Arch

which was demolished back in 1962 in order to make way for the new Euston

Underground Station.

Above and below:  The Three Hammers Pub. And along with 'The Rising Sun' a 16th century

Mill Hill Pub as well as 'The Adam and Eve' the Three Hammers is one of the oldest

Pubs in the Village.

Above:  An archive image of The Three Hammers Public House

in 1938.

Above: St Paul's Church on The Ridgeway. A Blue Plaque on the West Wall

commemorates the building of the Church in 1883, by the Evangelical

Christian politician William Wilberforce, who was one of the leaders of

the campaign to abolish the Slave Trade.

Adjoining the Church is St Paul's Primary School. And behind the Church is the 

Church Cemetery.