Mill Hill conservation area

Location

The Mill Hill conservation area covers approximately 152 hectares of land at Mill Hill towards the northwest corner of the Borough.

It includes a scattering of institutional buildings and houses strung out for a mile along the high ground of The Ridgeway.

The Mill Hill conservation area looks in both directions over green belt countryside, from Burtonhole Lane to the southeast and Marsh Lane to the north.

There are approximately 260 houses comprising brick and weatherboard cottages typical of rural Middlesex interspersed with a large number of rambling institutional buildings.

Successors to the earlier private mansions of wealthy Londoners were attracted to Mill Hill by the fine views. A surprising number of these older buildings remain embedded in these later complexes e.g. Littleberries, which now forms part of St Vincent’s, and Belmont House that forms part of Belmont School.

The 2001 census showed that approximately 4,170 people live within the area and that the majority of homes were in private ownership.

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2023

Description

Today the area is characterised by institutional buildings, particularly religious institutions and schools, interspersed with clusters of modest houses, along a long linear route of the high ground known as The Ridgeway.

Residential dwellings are mainly characterised by modest brick and weatherboarded cottages. Three picturesque clusters of smaller houses and cottages can be found along The Ridgeway at the western end, the junction with Hammers Lane and High Street. Along with the cluster of houses at the top of Highwood Hill, these areas reflect a country village quality.

The combination of a countryside setting, attractive long distant views, relatively level terrain and network of bridleways attracts walkers and horse riders.

The area is considered very desirable for residents, being within easy reach of central London with a nearby underground station at Mill Hill East, whilst in a semi rural setting. The conservation area is generally quiet and is typical of a number of small villages in a countryside setting.

Documents

Mill Hill conservation area Character Appraisal

Mill Hill conservation area map