Did you know that...
Dollis Brook and its tributary Folly Brook run through North Finchley Woodside Park. Dollis name comes from the Middle English word “dole” that means shares of land. The caddis fly and the stonefly that only live in unpolluted waters can be found here.
The area known later as Woodside Estate initially was called Woodside House, certainly known by 1699, and, eventually, as Woodside farm by the mid-1800s.
Henry Holden inherited the land in 1877 and he was the man who actually developed Woodside Park as we know it today. In 1885, he built Woodside Hall, an assembly room (today’s Woodside Park Synagogue).
Holden Road is named after Henry Holden, however, this area hosted several other notable residents. Spike Milligan who is widely known for his work on The Goon Show lived in one of the Victorian houses located in the vicinity of Garden Suburb. In fact, the area contained many Victorian and Edwardian houses that were converted into modern living accommodations. The house where comedian Spike Milligan lived is marked by a blue plaque. Another famous resident is none other than the singer, songwriter, and former Spice Girls member, Emma Bunton.
Woodside Park tube station was called Torrington Park in 1872 when it opened.
Woodside Grange, a local landmark, was built by Dr. James Turle. The owner of Derry and Toms store also lived in this house. In 1928, it was converted into the Finchley Catholic Grammar School. Besides Linkside, all the roads in Woodside Park Garden Suburb are named after places in Sussex.