Place Name
The area takes its name from an estate called Arnos Grove which was built in 1723 by James Colebrook, and this was original avenue through Minchenden Wood. The area was first mentioned as Arnold’s Grove in 1551 and by around 1865 had become Arno’s grove. However, the Arnolds were already long established in the area, since a Margery Arnold was first named in documents in 1344 in reference to a plantation that her family owned. As for the house it was bought by John Walker, a scion of the Taylor Walker family of brewers. From him it was passed to his son Isaac Walker, the father of the seven famous cricketing brothers. Since then the property has been renamed as Southgate House and turned into offices. The estate was developed between the wars.
