Finchley - Geography

Geography

Finchley is situated on a plateau, 90 metres (300 ft) above sea level about 11 km (6.8 mi) north of Charing Cross and about 6 km (3.7 mi) south of Barnet. To the west is the Dollis valley formed by Dollis Brook which is the natural western boundary of Finchley. Mutton Brook forms the southern boundary, joining the Dollis Brook to become the River Brent. Geologically, Finchley is formed of three layers. Most of Finchley is on Boulder clay or glacial moraine, skirted by a layer of gravel, then the underlying layer of London clay. This roughly triangular gravel line was the most fertile area, hamlets grew at the three corners, which evolved into Finchley's early population centres corresponding to the three town centres in the area:

• Church End, often known as "Finchley Central", (particularly since the tube station was renamed), the area north and west of the North Circular Road, centred around Ballards Lane and Finchley Central tube station, and in postal area N3;
• East Finchley, roughly the area between Highgate and the North Circular Road, and in postal area N2; and
• North Finchley, the area surrounding Tally-Ho Corner, stretching west to and the Northern Line, in postcode district N12.

The residential areas West Finchley in postcode district N3 and Woodside Park in postcode district N12 are centred on their respective tube stations to the west of the area.

The area of London known as Finchley Road, around Finchley Road tube station, is not part of Finchley, but instead refers to a commercial district in Swiss Cottage, Camden. The area is named after a section of the A41 road, which eventually runs north to Finchley.