In 1885 the Santa Claus Society, a children's charity, began selling toys at Christmas for children in hospital (later suitable gifts for adults were also provided).  It was difficult to find long-term convalescent beds for children with hip and spinal diseases, so the Society decided to open up its own home in a private house in South Grove (later renamed Highgate West Hill).  Treatments, such as were available, were aimed at preventing the children from becoming hopeless cripples.

The little children  preferred the cots nearest the chimney, this being where Santa Claus would enter.  The children apparently "nearly all loved to imagine and talk of the mysteries of the life to come" - they pictured themselves dying first and waiting for their mothers in Heaven.

In 1890 the Home moved to Cholmeley Park, where 20 beds were available.  

In 1948, when it joined the NHS, it had 26 beds. It came under the control of the Archway Group Hospital Management Committee, part of the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board.

It closed in 1954.

The entrance to the centre through an old archway, with signage on the door about opening times .

Looking to the northeast, showing the stepped construction of the flats.

The Cholmeley Park frontage with the external staircases to the flats.

References (Accessed 5th November 2016)

Burdett-Coutts AG (ed) 2001 Women's Mission.  A Series of Congress Papers on the Philanthropic Work of Women.  New York, Elibron Classics.

Hamilton Hogben G 1952 Report of the Medical Officer of Health. London, Borough of Hornsey, 52.

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