Enfield War Memorial

Enfield War Memorial is the main war memorial of the London Borough of Enfield, a cenotaph standing in Chase Green Gardens at the junction of Windmill Hill and Chase Side, a short walk from Enfield Town centre. It is Grade II listed by Historic England and was unveiled on 30 October 1921.

What will you see there?

The monument is built of Portland stone. A tall, tapering pedestal rises from a stepped base and is topped by a sarcophagus. The design echoes Edwin Lutyens's Cenotaph in Whitehall, completed in 1919. The inscription reads "Our Glorious Dead" and carries the dates 1914–1919 and 1939–1945. It was first raised for Enfield men killed in the First World War, and names from the Second World War were added afterwards.

The surrounding lawns belong to the Chase Green and Cenotaph Gardens, which makes this a pleasant place to pause during a walk through the town.

What is its history?

A local committee raised the funds after the First World War, and local accounts put the cost at around 909 pounds. Historic England added the memorial to the National Heritage List in 2003. The Imperial War Museum records it in its War Memorials Register as WM 17987 and is still expanding the list of names connected with it.

Are there other memorials nearby?

Yes. A plaque to the dead of both world wars hangs in the main post office on Church Street. In 2003 a separate memorial to those who served on the Arctic convoys of the Second World War was unveiled on Silver Street. All three can be visited in a single stroll around the town centre.

How do you get there?

From central London, take a train to Enfield Town, Enfield Chase or Gordon Hill. From Enfield Town station it is a short walk towards Chase Side. Local buses also serve the area. Entry is free and the gardens are open throughout the day.

When should you visit?

The memorial can be seen all year round. The most atmospheric moment is Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, when wreaths are laid and a two-minute silence is observed at the cenotaph. For a quieter visit, go on a weekday morning.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The memorial stands in an open public garden.

How long does a visit take? Around 15 to 20 minutes. Allow about an hour if you add the post office plaque and the Arctic convoys memorial.

Who does it commemorate? Originally the people of Enfield who died in the First World War, with Second World War names added later.

Is it a protected monument? Yes. Historic England lists it at Grade II.