Friern Barnet sits in the northern suburbs of the London Borough of Barnet, originally part of Middlesex and shaped by 19th‑century development. Its name reflects medieval ownership by a religious brotherhood, and the area is notable for the vast Victorian psychiatric complex at Colney Hatch (later Friern Hospital), much of which has since been redeveloped into housing while leaving a distinctive historic footprint.
Today it feels like a quiet, suburban neighbourhood with stretches of Victorian and Edwardian housing, local shops along the high street and pleasant pockets of green such as Friary Park and nearby Arnos Park. Good transport links via Arnos Grove tube and rail services into Central London mean many residents commute, while a mixed, multicultural population and active local groups give the area a friendly, community‑focused character.
Postcode districts covering Friern Barnet
Most populated places nearby
- Brent 5.7 miles9.2 km
- Islington 4.9 miles7.8 km
- City of Westminster 6.9 miles11.2 km
- Bexley 16.4 miles26.4 km
- Luton 23.1 miles37.2 km
- Sutton 17.7 miles28.4 km
- Croydon 17.7 miles28.4 km
- Slough 20.6 miles33.2 km
- Harrow 8 miles13 km
- Watford 11.5 miles18.5 km
- Harlow 15.4 miles24.8 km
- Stevenage 20.1 miles32.4 km
Neighbouring places
- Woodhouse Ward 0.8 miles1.3 km
- New Southgate Ward 0.9 miles1.5 km
- Brunswick Park Ward 1.1 miles1.7 km
- Arnos Grove Ward 1.1 miles1.8 km
- Alexandra Park Ward 1.2 miles1.9 km
- Bounds Green Ward 1.2 miles1.9 km
- Fortis Green Ward 1.4 miles2.2 km
- Whetstone Ward 1.4 miles2.3 km
- East Finchley Ward 1.4 miles2.3 km
- West Finchley Ward 1.5 miles2.4 km
- Muswell Hill Ward 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Palmers Green Ward 1.8 miles2.9 km
Example postcodes in Friern Barnet
N11 3GU, N11 3QH, N11 3FF, N11 3BQ, N11 3ET, N10 2LL, N11 3JF, N20 0DG, N11 3NX … See all
Transport links
- London City Airport 11.6 miles18.6 km
- London Heathrow Airport 16.4 miles26.3 km
- New Southgate Railway Station 0.3 miles0.6 km
- Bowes Park Railway Station 1.4 miles2.2 km
- Waterloo Bus Depot 7.8 miles12.5 km
Hotels near Friern Barnet Ad
- Dao by Dorsett North London 4 2.6 miles4.2 km
- The Pillar Hotel 4 3.5 miles5.6 km
- Southgate Hotel London 4 1.6 miles2.6 km
- The Bull & Last 3.7 miles6 km
- Henrys Townhouse Marylebone 5 6.7 miles10.8 km
- The Black Lion Pub & Boutique Guesthouse 5.2 miles8.4 km
- The Hadley Hotel 3.3 miles5.3 km
- The Connaught, Maybourne Hotel Collection 5 7.1 miles11.4 km
- Covent Garden Hotel 5 6.9 miles11 km
- The Soho Hotel 5 6.8 miles11 km
Schools in Friern Barnet
- Coppetts Wood Primary School Primary
- Friern Barnet School Secondary
- Hollickwood Primary School Primary
- Holly Park Primary School Primary
- Oakleigh School & Acorn Assessment Centre Special
- St John's C of E Junior Mixed and Infant School Primary
Local points of interest
- Middlesex University University 0.9 miles1.5 km
- Alexandra Palace Historic site 1.6 miles2.5 km
- Underhill Stadium Stadium 2.9 miles4.7 km
- Barnet Barnet Lane Stadium 3 miles4.8 km
- Barnet Copthall Stadium 3.2 miles5.1 km
- White Hart Lane Stadium 3.7 miles5.9 km
- Royal Air Force Museum Museum 3.9 miles6.2 km
- Wrotham Park Estate 4 miles6.4 km
- Brent Cross Shopping Centre Shopping centre 4 miles6.4 km
- Arsenal Stadium Stadium 4.3 miles6.9 km
- Emirates Stadium Stadium 4.4 miles7 km
- Lee Valley Marina Springfield Marina 4.8 miles7.8 km