Notable Features
With streets of modest terraced housing, but also characterised by four high rise blocks of flats.
The first block of the four was built by the building company Tersons for the Metropolitan Police in about 1956. These were 'police flats' or quarters for police families. Orchard Mead House, on the Finchley Road, later became Quarters for Services families for a short time before moving into the private sector.
The second and third blocks, in Granville Road were built in about 1960, by the local borough as housing in the local community. The fourth block, presumed to be the same, was built some time later.
Childs Hill has a public library, as well as Childs Hill park which also contains the Childs Hill Bowls Club,an 18th-century pub (The Castle), several shops and restaurants, small businesses, offices, primary schools and two churches (All Saints C of E with Primary School and Childs Hill Baptist, whose pastor of 25 years is Gary Brady).
At the northern extremity of Childs Hill, on the Hendon Way, is the Palm Hotel, formerly the Garth Hotel. Alexei Sayle's short story "Barcelona Plates" goes into some detail about the hotel, as its protagonist stays there for a while, noting, amongst many other features, the idiosyncratic design of the building, which was formed by the amalgamation of several suburban houses.
It has two parks, Childs Hill Park and Basing Hill Park, and Golders Hill Park and Clitterhouse Recreation Ground are close to the area.
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