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Clay Hill was recorded as Clayhyll in 1524 and as Clayhillgate in 1636. One theory concerning the name origin states that the name of this North London area comes from “hill with clay”. The gate suffix is from the Enfield Chase gate. The other theory associates the area with the Clay family. The local name Claysmore derived from Clayes More Grove may have been borrowed from William atte Cleye who lived here in the 13th century. Another member of this family, John Clay, is mentioned as a resident here in the 15th century. This EN2 area is in the historic county of Middlesex.
Guy Fawkes and his Gunpowder Plot collaborators had a safe house in Clay Hill. The house that was on Whitewebbs Lane is now part of the Rose and Crown pub. Fawkes and fellow conspirator Robert Catesby met at this house that was on the site of today’s Guy’s Lodge Farm. King and Tinker is a popular Clay Hill pub. Forty Hall is a landmark of this area. This is a Grade I listed 17th-century house. The house was built by wealthy haberdasher and Lord Mayor of London Nicholas Rainton. It’s also possible that Sir Hugh Fortee was the original builder and Rainton bought the house from him. The house is now a museum. Its grounds include the 15th-century Tudor mansion Elsyng Palace.
North Enfield Cricket Club is located at Hilly Fields Park in Clay Hill. The club was established more than 100 years ago. Frank Barwick, who is widely regarded as one of the best cricketers of all times, played for this club. Mike Smith, John Emburey, Keith Brown, and Graham Barlow are other notable cricketers associated with this club. Rumor has it that the inventor of the googly move, Bernard Bosanquet, played here too, however, there are no records to back up this claim.