Place Name
Originally part of Camlet Way and later part of the much longer Hadley Way, which ran from then junction of Cockfosters Road (or as earlier maps would have it Cock Fosters Road) to The Ridgeway (previously Ridgeway Road). As the name implies this is descriptive, it was a hill covered in ferns. A Survey and Admeasurement of Enfield Chase in the County of Middlesex by F Russell and Richard Richardson makes reference to Ferny Slade (a slade being a small valley) but not to Ferny Hills. By the early 19thCentury however, Ferny Hill and Fernyhill Farm had appeared. The Ferny Hill Farm website explains: “Ferny Hill Farm was established in 1803 when the land was deemed suitable for agricultural purposes. Prior to that, the area had consisted of forest and scrubland and had formed part of the Royal Chase frequently hunted by King Henry VIII.” It is not connected with Ferny House.
