Inventory Site Record

Hendon Park was opened in 1903 by Hendon Rural District Council on a hilly site that was once part of a medieval estate. A hedged ornamental rose garden was laid out near the Queens Road entrance at the top of the park, with tennis courts nearby and a small pavilion, later used as a café. The park opens out into a grassed area and has a good collection of trees, many planted when the park was originally laid out, including one of the largest Acer palmatum in London. Recent tree planting includes a Children's Millennium Wood in 2000.

Site location:

Queens Road/Shirehall Lane/Park View Gardens/Cheyne Walk

Postcode:

NW4 4UP

What 3 Words:

branch.eaten.pest

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Barnet

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Basketball court, tennis courts, multi-sports courts; football pitches; play area; children's playground, dog area, café, toilets

Events:

events include tennis coaching, funfairs, holocaust memorial service

Public transport:

Tube: Hendon Central (Northern); Brent Cross (Northern). Bus: 113, 143, 186, 643, 797.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

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

In medieval times the land was part of Steps Field estate, owned by the Goodyer family. From 1868 it was held by the Kemp family until it was purchased by Hendon Rural District Council for a public park. Hendon Park was opened in 1903 on a hilly site with good views to the south towards Hampstead Heath (q.v.). On 21 July 1940 the park was the venue for England's first 'Rout the Rumour' rally organised by the Ministry of Information, whose intention was to 'chase the chatter-bugs and rout the rumour-mongers' and boost morale. Around 20,000 people attended the rally and performers taking part included Jack Warner, Will Fyfe and local resident Will Hay; it was broadcast on the Forces' programme.

The park has a hedged ornamental rose garden near Queens Road entrance; this rectangular garden has a central kidney-shaped raised pond, on 2 sides of which are timber pergolas with climbing plants, and paths between the rose beds. The park retains a sense that it was once a most pleasant place, and has a good collection of mature trees, many planted when the park was originally laid out and including one of the largest Acer palmatum in London. Café (to be reopened) and another small pavilion/toilets near the tennis courts; small paved terrace adjacent to the café. There is also some formal planting beside the path alongside the tennis courts. The park then opens out into a grassed area, in which a number of mature and more recent trees have been planted including oak, London plane, sycamore, ash, acacia, beech, silver birch, horsechestnut, lime and maidenhair. At the south-western edge the park abuts the Northern Line railway cutting where it is wooded and native trees may have become established from the railway land. The park's boundaries are a mixture of hedging, chain link fencing, railings. Recent refurbishment works have taken place following the park being given Premier Park status and getting a full time Park Keeper. The local community are involved in tree planting schemes and developing the play area. In 2000 the Children's Millennium Wood was planted.

Sources consulted:

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

Grid ref:

TQ238887 (523352,188463)

Size in hectares:

11.84

Site ownership:

LB Barnet

Site management:

Leisure and Youth Services, Green Spaces Division/Friends of Hendon Park

Date(s):

1903

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 - Local Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

Yes

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Premier Park. Capital Ring runs through park

Hendon Park, Rose garden, July 2000. Photo S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.