Inventory Site Record

In the C13th Totteridge was a hamlet. From the C17th and C18th the area gradually attracted wealthy people who built houses here. Totteridge Green today consists of grassland, areas of woodland with a variety of trees. In the centre is a mature oak possibly planted in the C18th by Sir Peter Meyer, a Dutch merchant who lived in the area, who obtained permission from the Lord of the Manor to plant trees and to make ponds; Laurel Farm Pond remains in the south.

Site location:

Totteridge Green/Totteridge Village

Postcode:

N20 8PE

What 3 Words:

pink.lazy.assets

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Barnet

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Totteridge & Whetstone (Northern) then bus. Bus 251.

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Research updated:

01/04/2002

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

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

In the C13th Totteridge was a hamlet, at which time it was known as Tatarige which may refer to a family of the name of Tata who lived here. Totteridge Green is registered under the Commons Preservation Act of 1965 and consists of grassland, areas of woodland with trees including oak, horsechestnut, ash, beech, crack-willow and weeping willow. In the centre is a mature oak which may have been planted in the C18th by Sir Peter Meyer, a Dutch merchant who lived near here at Poynters Grove, Totteridge. In the manorial records in 1718, Sir Peter requested permission from the Lord of the Manor, Sir Paul Whichcote to make ponds on the green and plant trees; four ponds were dug and 186 trees planted. In earlier times there were once at least 14 ponds here, of which one remains in the south, Laurel Farm Pond.

From the C17th and C18th the area, with its fine views and relative proximity to London, gradually attracted wealthy people who built houses around the Green and along the east/west route of Totteridge Lane, Totteridge Village and Totteridge Common. Development accelerated after the Great Northern Railway arrived at Barnet but Totteridge retained its rural aspect due to the Green Belt and to local pressure, such as that of the Totteridge Preservation Society which was set up before World War II, and later Totteridge Manor Association which took over management of the surrounding common and woodland. Houses of interest on the Green include The Croft (q.v.) and Fairspeir both c1898/9 by T E Colcutts, Home Farm and Laurel Farmhouse, both C17th, the latter having an C18th barn.

Sources consulted:

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

Grid ref:

TQ250936 (525004,193737)

Size in hectares:

5.1

Site ownership:

Totteridge Manor Association

Site management:

LB Barnet Leisure and Youth Services, Green Spaces Division

Date(s):

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: The Old House, Home Farm, Laurel Farm Barn and Farmhouse, 1 and 2 Strathearn Cottages, Fairspeir, The Croft, Green Lodge

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

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

Yes: Common (CL60)

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:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Totteridge

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Borough Importance II

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Area of Special Archaeological Significance

Other LA designation:

Local Park. Article 4 Direction

Totteridge Green, August 2000. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.