Why I live in Enfield: The Traitors’ Wilfred Webster on why he’s faithful to his green, family-friendly north London area
I have lived in Enfield for the past four years. My wife, Yiota, has lived here her whole life. When we moved in together for the first time — we were having a child — we wanted to go somewhere that was familiar, where we’d be close to her parents.
We lived in Southgate originally, but bought a house further out in June 2020, near Hoe Lane and Carterhatch Lane, which everyone knows.
We’re massively happy here. The people are really friendly — I’ve never had a bad encounter. One of the things I love is that you don’t need to go to central London — Enfield Town has all the things you need. As long as we live in the UK, we’ll never move out of Enfield.
Eating and drinking
There are so many good places, but we have three favourites. If we want a bit more of a night out without the kids, we normally go to Mayhill’s on Cockfosters Parade. There’s entertainment there and the food’s always brilliant. The steak is amazing. It’s a good vibe — everyone is in there having fun. They put music on and have dancers and DJ Sax, a resident saxophonist and DJ, who’s cool.
For a traditional pub meal — something more chilled with the kids — we go to the Jolly Farmers on Enfield Road. They never have an off day with the food and it’s very affordable.
If we want something more focused on the kids, we go to Rainbow Cafe on Bramley Road. They’ve got a soft play in there, too, so you can let them go off and run around. The food is really good.
Where I work out
There are so many parks in Enfield, we’re very lucky. Grovelands Park has an outdoor exercise area. We’d go for a run there during lockdown and take it in turns to watch the kids.
I also go to Albany Leisure Centre, which is run by Fusion. There are loads of classes, a swimming pool and a steam room, where I like to chill out after a workout.
To commune with nature
Grovelands Park is huge. It’s got an obstacle course for kids and a lake where you can feed the ducks. The woodland part is pretty cool.
Trent Park is really nice as well, with a lot of woodland. The Lea Valley is not far from us — it’s massive and there are lots of water activities. We go for long walks on the woodland trails with my wife’s family.
Grocery shopping
We go to Morrison’s because they have a butcher at the back where the meat’s really good.
We used to go to Simply Mediterranean, but now we go to Fio’s on Cockfosters Parade, where they sell Greek and Cypriot foods. My wife stops off on the way back from work and gets all the Greek stuff for the house — bread and all the fresh fruit and veg.
For a culture fix
The Cineworld at Southbury Leisure Centre does loads of promotions for the kids, which is great. Sometimes we get £2 or £3 tickets to watch a film.
Millfield Theatre is amazing — we go for the panto every year. This year, I got to take my family to meet the cast because of The Traitors. They were fanning over me when I fan over them every year.
When we want to, it’s easy for us to get into London to go to the museums.
Getting around
Enfield’s transport links are good. From my house, it’s a five-minute walk to Turkey Street Overground, where it takes 15 to 20 minutes to get to King’s Cross. We use Oakwood station the most. There’s parking and it’s on the Piccadilly line.
There are buses that get you wherever you want — and they’re cheap.
Dream street
Broad Walk, right next to Grovelands Park. The houses are beautiful. We always drive down there and dream. I will buy us a house down there one day.
Something you only see in Enfield
The amount of parks and green spaces. There are a lot of natural spots to go to, compared with other parts of London.
What’s the catch?
It’s expensive — the house prices are going up; ULEZ is coming around as well. But that’s London altogether, right?
In three words
Diverse. Friendly. Communal.
It’s Just a Game, Wilfred’s podcast which launched with fellow Traitors contestants Rayan and Ivan, is out on streaming services now.
Schools
Worcesters Primary School, Enfield Heights Academy and Kingfisher Hall Academy are three of five primaries rated outstanding in the local area.
For secondaries, Ark John Keats Academy and Waverley School are the top-rated choices.
What it costs
Buying in Enfield
Average flat price: £314,110
Average house price: £637,840
Renting in Enfield
Average flat rent: £1,450 pcm
Average house rent: £2,350 pcm
Source: Hamptons & Land Registry
