Description
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.
Practical Information
| Site location | Queens Road/Shirehall Lane/Park View Gardens/Cheyne Walk |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW4 4UP |
| What3Words | ///branch.eaten.pest |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Barnet |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| 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. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
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.
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.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ238887 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 11.84 |
| Site Ownership | LB Barnet |
| Site Management | Leisure and Youth Services, Green Spaces Division/Friends of Hendon Park |
| Dates | 1903 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Premier Park. Capital Ring runs through park |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Brent Park was opened to the public in 1934. It is on the site of Brent Bridge House, demolished in 1935, whose grounds contained Decoy Wood and a small stream forming a narrow lake, with the house situated at the southern tip. The lake was created as a duck decoy and the farmland surrounding it was known as Decoy Farm. A stretch of the lake remains, crossed in the north by a rustic bridge, with a perimeter walk between thickly wooded banks, with some mature evergreen specimens surviving close to the site of the former house.
Hendon War Memorial was unveiled on 23 April 1922 and was originally located near St Joseph's Convent. In 1923 Watford Way was built and Hendon Central station opened, as the area was increasingly developed. The War Memorial was moved to its current location in 1962 when the road was widened. It now stands within a landscaped area that is effectively a traffic island on Watford Way near the junction with The Burroughs. The Memorial is set within cruciform paving with lawn either side.
Hendon Grove was formerly the gardens of Grove House, one of the largest houses in Hendon, built in 1753. In the C20th Hendon Town Hall (1900), the Fire Station (1911) and the Public Library (1929) were built on its grounds. Part of the gardens remain as a small public park, consisting of two lawns set in a shallow sunken area, into which are the remnants of steps. It is surrounded by mixed planting of mature trees, including exotic fir, holly, beech and horse chestnut, survivals from the earlier garden.
