The Ridgeway sits on higher, more open ground than the rest of Mill Hill, and gardens up there are noticeably more exposed to wind than the sheltered streets around The Broadway or the newer courtyards near Mill Hill East. On an exposed plot, a tall, fully solid closeboard run acts like a sail; shorter panel heights, wider gaps between boards, or a lower solid section with an open trellis top all reduce the load a fence has to resist. The right answer depends on exactly how exposed a given garden is, which is a site-by-site judgement rather than a blanket rule for NW7.
Towns & neighbourhoods in NW7
Barnet Council · NW7
Property: large detached homes on the Ridgeway, 1930s semis around the Broadway, and modern infill near Mill Hill East
Garden: spacious plots — many of the Ridgeway properties have gardens deep enough for full landscaping schemes
Near A1 / A41 / M1 J2 / A41 · Mill Hill Broadway (Thameslink) / Mill Hill East (Northern line)
Commercial anchors: Mill Hill Industrial Estate, The Broadway
Barnet Council · NW7
Property: modern apartments and townhouses around Millbrook Park, plus older semis nearby
Garden: small modern courtyards, plus larger established gardens
Near A41 / A1 / M1 J2 / A41 · Mill Hill East (Northern line)
Commercial anchors: Bittacy Hill, Millbrook Park new development
Barnet Council · NW7
Property: 1930s semis and Edwardian villas with neat front gardens
Garden: mid-sized gardens, several with rear alley access
Near A1 / A41 / M1 J2 · Mill Hill Broadway (Thameslink)
Commercial anchors: The Broadway
Services across NW7
NW7 exposure assessment
We check ground elevation and exposure before recommending a panel design anywhere in Mill Hill.
Frequently asked — NW7
Are Ridgeway gardens more exposed than the rest of NW7?
Generally yes — the higher, more open ground there sees stronger wind than the more sheltered streets around The Broadway or Mill Hill East.
How do you reduce wind load on an exposed fence?
Options include a lower solid section topped with open trellis, wider gapped boards, or shorter overall height — all reduce the surface area the wind pushes against.
Does the Mill Hill Conservation Area limit these design options?
On streets within the conservation area, yes — visible materials and finishes at the front boundary need to be sympathetic, which narrows which wind-reduction options are available there.