"A fair immortalised by Cockney rhyming slang" London Things to Do Tip by CatherineReichardt

Cockney rhyming slang is a colourful part of London culture, much beloved by movie makers and featuring well known phrases such as "apples and pears" (stairs) and "trouble and strife" (wife). I even find myself using the odd phrase, such as "porkie pie" (lie) in conversation with my family and friends.

However, the derivation of other words and phrases is not so clear, including the term "barnet", meaning "hair" (as in "What on earth has she done to her barnet?"). In this case, the term derives from the phrase "Barnet fair" - a livestock sale that took place in this former village north of the city that has since been engulfed by London's suburban sprawl.

Barnet straddled the Great North Road between London and York, which was a major trading route, and Hadley Common (land set aside for common grazing), just north of Barnet was the location where livestock were grazed prior to sale, both for the weekly Barnet Market and the annual Barnet Fair.

Barnet Market was granted a Royal Charter in 1199 - although is likely to have been going for some time before that - and for centuries was the principal source of meat for London. The Barnet Fair was established by Royal Charter in 1588 - primarily as a horse fair held in September - but by the late 19th century, over 40,000 cattle were being sold at the event, making it the largest livestock fair in London (if not in England).

Barnet Fair still takes place in early September, but is primarily a funfair, with added attractions such as medieval jousting (presumably as a nod to the Battle of Barnet which was the concluding battle of the War of the Roses and took place only a stone's throw away).

Today, Hadley Common is a leafy, peaceful place, punctuated by small ponds that still retains its rural character. It is fringed by gorgeous and outrageously expensive houses and is a lovely place for a stroll on a fine day.