Description
Grove Lodge, a plain stuccoed house built in 1854, was converted to flats in 1995/6 with a Language School to the rear. The grounds sloping down to the south east originally formed the perimeter belt of woodland on the west side of the estate, together with a field at the south end of the site. Part of the grounds became Grove Lodge Gardens in 1945, having been purchased by Hornsey Borough Council for a new public garden. It remained light deciduous woodland, with few changes beyond the creation of a path running the length of the site, accessed from three points on Muswell Hill. Having become overgrown and neglected, the garden was restored in 2005/06 at the instigation of Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Grove Lodge Estate |
|---|---|
| Site location | Muswell Hill |
| Postcode | N10 |
| What3Words | ///curiosity.buzz.vibrates |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Haringey |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Turnpike Lane (Piccadilly) then bus. Bus: 144, W7. |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Grove Lodge and its grounds are a more or less rectangular site on the east side of Muswell Hill. The small public park was created in 1945 when part of the grounds were purchased by Hornsey Borough Council through the efforts of Cllr Frederick Cleary and the Town Clerk. Cleary wrote a book, 'Beauty and the Borough' (1949) making known the efforts the Council had made since WWII to restore public amenities, in which he described the new park: 'The fence has gone, revealing the full beauty of very fine trees. The opportunities and the natural beauty of the site have been well used by intelligent planning and artistic garden designing.' The garden remained light deciduous woodland, predominantly horse chestnuts and oaks, some dating from the C19th and few changes were made beyond the creation of a path running the length of the site, accessed from three points on Muswell Hill.
However, by the latter part of the C20th, the gardens had become neglected and overgrown, and what remained as public green space was a strip of land with grass and trees along Muswell Hill where brambles and undergrowth encroached from the east. The low grey stone retaining wall beside the pavement and the two sets of steps had fallen into a state of neglect and land to the south of Grove Lodge was little more than a field, surrounded by trees. At the instigation of the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association, an amenity society set up in 1948 to protect and improve the local environment, the forgotten garden has been rediscovered and restored. The Association gained a Making the Difference grant from Haringey Council and this has enabled its reinstatement. The programme of work commenced in February 2005 and has included coppicing, cutting back weeds and brambles, re-defining the pathway, turning the soil and clearing the rubbish. By 2006 the path, new planting and signage were in place, and the work continues to be monitored by the Association.
However, by the latter part of the C20th, the gardens had become neglected and overgrown, and what remained as public green space was a strip of land with grass and trees along Muswell Hill where brambles and undergrowth encroached from the east. The low grey stone retaining wall beside the pavement and the two sets of steps had fallen into a state of neglect and land to the south of Grove Lodge was little more than a field, surrounded by trees. At the instigation of the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association, an amenity society set up in 1948 to protect and improve the local environment, the forgotten garden has been rediscovered and restored. The Association gained a Making the Difference grant from Haringey Council and this has enabled its reinstatement. The programme of work commenced in February 2005 and has included coppicing, cutting back weeds and brambles, re-defining the pathway, turning the soil and clearing the rubbish. By 2006 the path, new planting and signage were in place, and the work continues to be monitored by the Association.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ291895 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Haringey |
| Site Management | Parks Service (Woodside Neighbourhood) |
| Dates | 1945 |
| 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 | Haringey |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Rookfield |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance II |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Rookfield Estate Article 4 Direction Area |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The Grove is within Alexandra Park and was originally the grounds of The Grove, built in the C18th on the site of an earlier house. It was famous as the summer residence of Topham Beauclerk, great grandson of Nell Gwynne and friend of Dr Johnson, who commissioned the landscaping of the grounds, which were much admired. The house remained in private ownership until 1863 when the grounds were sold to the Alexandra Palace Company and opened as part of the park. The house was demolished in the 1870s. Various attractions came and went over the years including a miniature village, tennis courts, a bandstand and refreshment pavilion. A narrow belt of trees and shrubs with a serpentine walk runs along the west perimeter and to the north is a knoll picturesquely planted with old yews and other conifers some of which may date from the C18th.
The Grove is within Alexandra Park and was originally the grounds of The Grove, built in the C18th on the site of an earlier house. It was famous as the summer residence of Topham Beauclerk, great grandson of Nell Gwynne and friend of Dr Johnson, who commissioned the landscaping of the grounds, which were much admired. The house remained in private ownership until 1863 when the grounds were sold to the Alexandra Palace Company and opened as part of the park. The house was demolished in the 1870s. Various attractions came and went over the years including a miniature village, tennis courts, a bandstand and refreshment pavilion. A narrow belt of trees and shrubs with a serpentine walk runs along the west perimeter and to the north is a knoll picturesquely planted with old yews and other conifers some of which may date from the C18th.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Alexandra Park is on the site of Tottenham Wood Farm. Early plans for a 'North London Palace of the People' date from 1856 but came to nothing. In 1863 the Alexandra Park Committee was formed to acquire and lay out the land for public recreation, and the exhibition building from the Great International Exhibition at South Kensington was purchased and re-erected. Alexandra Park opened in 1863.
Alexandra Park is on the site of Tottenham Wood Farm. Early plans for a 'North London Palace of the People' date from 1856 but came to nothing. In 1863 the Alexandra Park Committee was formed to acquire and lay out the land for public recreation, and the exhibition building from the Great International Exhibition at South Kensington was purchased and re-erected. Alexandra Park opened in 1863.
The park is named after The Priory, an early C19th house. It was laid out in two phases following initial land purchase by Hornsey Local Board in 1891. Originally known as Middle Lane Pleasure or Recreation Grounds, what is now the eastern part of the park opened in 1899 and this area preserves much of its C19th landscaping. The park was re-named The Priory Park after further land to the west was purchased in 1926 and added to the park, with tennis courts and other facilities added.