Let’s start with some fun facts. Enfield was the site of the world’s first ATM when it was created in 1967, the town’s market dates back to 1303 (and it’s still open three days a week) and it’s the home of John Keats, the legendary English poet.
There’s a lot more to Enfield, the North London suburb, than just money literally coming out of the wall. The town is close to Epping Forest and the Lea Valley, two enormous areas packed with parks, cycle trails, nature reserves and London 2012 venues, including the Whitewater Centre and VeloPark. And it has the perfect balance of history and modernity, with 15-screen cinemas, vast country houses, several theatres and shopping centres. Enfield also has an enviable dining and nightlife scene, with a wide range of restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, pubs and bars all a short distance from our London Enfield hotel.
Things to do in Enfield
Shopping
With over 60 stores, cafés and outlets, Palace Exchange and Palace Gardens are the main shopping destinations in Enfield. Open daily with late-night shopping every Thursday, the open-air precinct combines both shopping areas and is home to a diverse range of shops, including Waterstones, H&M, Marks & Spencer and H. Samuel, as well as six food and drink outlets.
The other modern shopping alternative is Enfield Retail Park. The retail park is close to the A10 and a five-minute drive from our London Enfield hotel and houses a large Sports Direct, M&S, Next and several other outlets.
Dating back to 1303, Enfield Market is one of the longest-running markets in the UK. The market is held on Church Street opposite Palace Gardens and is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 4pm As well as a host of household goods, fresh fruit and vegetables and specialist goods, the market hosts specific events over the year, including dedicated markets for collectors, arts and crafts, and antiques.
Getting around
The North London borough of Enfield is part of the London Underground on the Piccadilly Line and also borders the M25, giving it excellent transport connections.
There are several train stations in and around Enfield, including Enfield Town Station, Enfield Lock and Enfield Chase. Enfield Town is the busiest station and located in the centre of town on Church Street, with departures to London Liverpool Street every 15 minutes at peak times.
There are several airports close to Enfield. London City Airport and Luton Airport are the closest, with Heathrow around 40 miles away. Driving a personal vehicle or by taxi will take around 40 minutes, with the quickest public transport route taking just over an hour via a combination of trains and the London Underground.
Shopping in Enfield
