The large district of Finchley lies to the north of central London, between Hendon and Highgate.

The area appears to have been settled since Saxon times and it is believed that the name is derived from the Saxon for “wood frequented by finches”.

For many years the area was made up of several small farming hamlets, although it was an important thoroughfare for travellers heading north and so the farms were interspersed with travellers’ inns.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that development of the district began in earnest, spurred on by the arrival of the Great Western Railway in the 1860s. By the end of the 19th century Finchley was popular with the middle classes and had a reputation as a good shopping district.

Today the district is still predominantly residential, with several conservation areas set aside to help preserve Finchley’s past buildings.