Inventory Site Record

Arrandene Open Space was purchased by Hendon Council in 1929 in order to preserve it for public recreation at a time when the area was rapidly developing. It remains a rural landscape surrounded by suburban Mill Hill, with views from Featherstone Hill in the west and Mill Hill Ridge to the north-east. The hilly site consists of 12 fields divided by hedgerows, areas of woodland, a network of footpaths and a horse ride. In the early 1990s planting of exotic tree species began in various areas to form a new arboretum.

Site location:

Wise Lane/Wills Grove/Milespit Hill, Mill Hill

Postcode:

NW7 2RS

What 3 Words:

stroke.wipes.offer

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Barnet

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Mill Hill East (Northern) then bus. Rail: Mill Hill Broadway then bus. Bus: 240, 114, 221.

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Research updated:

01/04/2002

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.barnet.gov.uk

As Mill Hill was being developed for housing, Hendon Council purchased over 50 acres of the Arrandene estate in 1929 in order to preserve this area for public open space. Arrandene Open Space remains a rural landscape surrounded by suburban Mill Hill. It consists of 12 fields divided by hedgerows and has areas of woodland. A network of footpaths has been provided as well as a horse ride. The site is on hilly ground with Featherstone Hill in the west and Mill Hill Ridge to the north east both of which have fine views. In the past the fields were predominantly used to provide hay for London's horses and occasionally as grazing land. Usage of the land has varied over the years with Featherstone Hill at one time a cornfield and Brook Field became allotments in the 1940s, while Little Lowdham's Field was a school playing field. Between the 1960s and 1980s the grass was mown but since then the botanic importance of the site has led to an ecologically-sensitive management regime. In the early 1990s it was proposed to create an arboretum here and exotic species have been planted in some areas including the entrance on Wise Lane near Milespit Hill to the east.

Sources consulted:

Jan Hewlett, Ian Yarham, David Curson, 'Nature Conservation in Barnet', London Ecology Unit, 1997.

Grid ref:

TQ227920 (522641,191980)

Size in hectares:

23.59

Site ownership:

LB Barnet

Site management:

Leisure and Youth Services, Green Spaces Division

Date(s):

1929

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Metropolitan Importance

Green Belt:

Yes (part)

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

District Park

Arrandene Open Space, Featherstone Hill, September 2000. Photo: S. Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.