Oakleigh Park
Encyclopedia
Oakleigh Park is a loosely defined area in the north of the London Borough of Barnet
. It adjoins Whetstone
, and is often regarded either as part of that or of East Barnet
. However it has its own identity and its own railway station.
The principal road is Oakleigh Road North. Turnings off this road include Oakleigh Park North, Oakleigh Avenue and Oakleigh Park South. There is also a small shopping parade on Netherlands Road just to the north of the railway station. The name is a relatively modern invention, the station being called that when it opened in 1873.
bus route 383 stops directly outside Oakleigh Park railway station
, as well as operating a Hail and Ride
service along Netherlands Road and Oakleigh Park North/Athenaeum Road. Buses run towards Barnet (the Spires) or towards Woodside Park tube station, every 30 minutes Mondays to Saturdays except late evenings. There is currently no service on this route on Sundays or public holidays.
’s poem, ‘The Outer Suburbs’ (1932), there is a reference to Oakleigh Park as ‘Oakley Park’: ‘The weary walk from Oakley Park/Through the soft suburban dark’. This is not a spelling that occurs elsewhere, but may be personal idiosyncrasy, rather than a simple mistake, given that Betjeman was, at the time, a schoolmaster in the area. (It could possibly be childhood association. The Betjemans became acquainted with a family called Oakley during holidays in Cornwall. The person universally associated with that name – the American sharp-shooter, Annie Oakley
, who died in 1926 – also spelt her name thus.)
London Borough of Barnet
The London Borough of Barnet is a London borough in North London and forms part of Outer London. It has a population of 331,500 and covers . It borders Hertfordshire to the north and five other London boroughs: Harrow and Brent to the west, Camden and Haringey to the south-east and Enfield to the...
. It adjoins Whetstone
Whetstone, London
-Buses:* 34 - Barnet Church to Walthamstow Central bus/tube/railway station* 125 - Winchmore Hill to Finchley Central* 234 - Barnet to Highgate Wood * 251 - Edgware bus/tube station to Arnos Grove tube station...
, and is often regarded either as part of that or of East Barnet
East Barnet
East Barnet is an area of North London within the London Borough of Barnet bordered by New Barnet, Cockfosters and Southgate. It is a largely residential suburb whose central area, known locally as the Village, contains a variety of shops, public houses, restaurants and services. East Barnet is...
. However it has its own identity and its own railway station.
The principal road is Oakleigh Road North. Turnings off this road include Oakleigh Park North, Oakleigh Avenue and Oakleigh Park South. There is also a small shopping parade on Netherlands Road just to the north of the railway station. The name is a relatively modern invention, the station being called that when it opened in 1873.
Geography
Bus
Transport for LondonTransport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
bus route 383 stops directly outside Oakleigh Park railway station
Oakleigh Park railway station
Oakleigh Park railway station is in Oakleigh Park in the London Borough of Barnet in north London, England. It is 9½ miles north of Moorgate on the East Coast Main Line between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley. Oakleigh Park is in Travelcard Zone 4...
, as well as operating a Hail and Ride
Hail and ride
Hail and Ride is a concept in public transport in the United Kingdom. Generally, it refers to boarding or alighting a mode of public transport by signalling the driver or conductor that one wishes to board/alight, rather than the more...
service along Netherlands Road and Oakleigh Park North/Athenaeum Road. Buses run towards Barnet (the Spires) or towards Woodside Park tube station, every 30 minutes Mondays to Saturdays except late evenings. There is currently no service on this route on Sundays or public holidays.
The Betjeman connection
In John BetjemanJohn Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
’s poem, ‘The Outer Suburbs’ (1932), there is a reference to Oakleigh Park as ‘Oakley Park’: ‘The weary walk from Oakley Park/Through the soft suburban dark’. This is not a spelling that occurs elsewhere, but may be personal idiosyncrasy, rather than a simple mistake, given that Betjeman was, at the time, a schoolmaster in the area. (It could possibly be childhood association. The Betjemans became acquainted with a family called Oakley during holidays in Cornwall. The person universally associated with that name – the American sharp-shooter, Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley , born Phoebe Ann Mosey, was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Oakley's amazing talent and timely rise to fame led to a starring role in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, which propelled her to become the first American female superstar.Oakley's most famous trick is perhaps...
, who died in 1926 – also spelt her name thus.)