Description
Greenhill Gardens is on land originally part of a large country estate known as Pricklers. The ornamental lake that dominates the park dates from the parkland landscaping. By the C16th the estate was called Greenhill but was split up in the C19th when Thomas Wyatt built Willenhall in the southern part. Most of the Greenhill land was developed for housing from 1926, and the public park represents the small portion that survived, with its lake, mature trees and perimeter walk.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Pricklers Estate; Greenhill Park |
|---|---|
| Site location | Pricklers Hill, Great North Road/Greenhill Park, Barnet Vale |
| Postcode | EN5 1HE |
| What3Words | ///last.trace.pram |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Barnet |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | fishing club |
| Public Transport | Tube: High Barnet (Northern) then bus. Rail: New Barnet then bus. Bus: 84, 107, 307, 326, 34, 234, 263, 384. |
| Research Updated | 1 May 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Greenhill Gardens is on land that was originally part of a large country estate known as Pricklers, named after the mediaeval Pritel or Prittle family who owned it. By the C16th the estate was called Greenhill but it was eventually split up in the C19th when Thomas Wyatt built Willenhall on the southern part, which was demolished in c.1900. The ornamental lake, which dates from the parkland landscaping, is all that remains of the former estate. The house used to stand near Hasluck Gardens, named after its final occupier, Lancelot Hasluck. Most of the Greenhill land was developed for housing from 1926; East Barnet Council purchased the land for the public park in July of that year at a cost of £20,000. Greenhill Gardens represents the small portion comprising the lake and its perimeter that survived, with some mature trees and a perimeter walk. The eastern edge is bordered by back gardens.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ258955 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.4 |
| Site Ownership | LB Barnet |
| Site Management | Leisure and Youth Services, Green Spaces Division. |
| Dates | C19th; C20th |
| 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 | Barnet |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Small Local Park |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
New Barnet was developed gradually from the 1850s, after the arrival of the railway but it was not until the end of the century that it was fully built. The War Memorial is on an island surrounded by busy roads and has a bronze winged figure on a tall obelisk surrounded by a small landscaped area of evergreen trees, raised flower beds.
Highlands Gardens was formerly the garden of Highlands House, built in 1897 for Bevan Braithwaite, who probably laid out the gardens. When he sold the property in 1930 the house was converted into 8 flats, although it later reverted to a family home after 1951. It gradually deteriorated and was eventually demolished in 1972 when the current flats were built. During WWII the garden was dug up for vegetable plots. Now open to the public, the gardens retain features from the old layout, including terraced lawns and water-gardens up the western side, with C19th rock-works, cascade, rustic bridges and an octagonal wooden summer house.
This is a Victorian recreation ground laid out in the late C19th on land previously known as 'Mrs Cook's Farm'. Barnet Football Club played here in the 1889/90 season, before moving to a new ground in 1890. Victoria Recreation Ground has the remains of a formal garden comprising a circular mound with a perimeter walk laid out as a rose garden. Adjacent to this is a drinking fountain with the inscription 'Honest Water which never left man in the Mire', the gift of Morgan Harvey in 1882.
