The area is predominantly residential with a mixture of Victorian and Edwardian houses and much more recent development.

The name Colney Hatch was originally that of a hamlet in the parish of Friern (once spelt Fryern) Barnet, first recorded in the early 15th century.

[2] The name hatch may derive from hitch-gate, often found on the borders of forests to prevent cattle straying.

Colney Hatch at one time marked the southern boundary of the royal hunting ground Enfield Chase.

Nearby is New Southgate railway station, originally called Colney Hatch but renamed several times from the mid-19th century onwards, taking its present name on the electrification of the line in 1976.