Description
The Parkland Walk is the disused track of the former Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace Railway. The first section of the line was in use by 1867, with the final section completed by 1873. Use of the line diminished by the 1920s and the last passenger train ran in 1954, with the tracks finally lifted in 1971. In 1990 it was declared a Local Nature Reserve and laid out as a public walk, with former railway structures still visible.
Practical Information
| Site location | Access: Crouch Hill, Mountview Road, Archway Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N8/N19/N4 |
| What3Words | ///venues.oils.brand |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Islington |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Events | Organised walks and events |
| Public Transport | Tube: Finsbury Park (Victoria) then bus. London Overground: Crouch Hill. Bus: W7, W5, W3; 43, 134, 263 (Archway Road); 41, 91 (Crouch End Hill) |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Parkland Walk spans two boroughs, LB Haringey and LB Islington, and is the disused track of the former Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace Railway. The first section of the railway line was in use by 1867, with the final section completed by 1873 and opened to serve Alexandra Palace. When it was constructed the railway was surrounded by fields. By the 1920s use of the line had diminished considerably as other forms of transport became popular and the last passenger train ran in 1954, with the tracks finally lifted in 1971. The majority of the land fell within the borough of Haringey, with a smaller section in the borough of Islington; in 1976 both Borough Councils purchased the land in their areas. Plans in the late 1980s to build along the former track were countered by a vociferous local and national campaign as a result of which it was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1990 and laid out as a public walk. Along the way former railway bridges are crossed or passed beneath, and sections of platform and brick vaulting are visible.
In the Islington section the route is in three parts between two road bridges at Crouch Hill and Mount View Road. Woodland is on either side of the track. In addition to creation of the pathway, some tree-planting has taken place together with artistic interventions such as the curious sculpted figure that emerges from a brick archway.
In the Islington section the route is in three parts between two road bridges at Crouch Hill and Mount View Road. Woodland is on either side of the track. In addition to creation of the pathway, some tree-planting has taken place together with artistic interventions such as the curious sculpted figure that emerges from a brick archway.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ284882 (west) / TQ313873 (east) |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Islington & LB Haringey |
| Site Management | Parks Departments of both boroughs; Friends of the Parkland Walk |
| Dates | 1867; 1976-1990s |
| 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 | Islington |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Metropolitan |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Local Nature Reserve. Local/Strategic view corridor |
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
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.
Crouch Hill Park is a new community park that opened in late 2012, but part of the site was once Crouch Hill Recreation Centre and its gardens, which existed from the 1920s. After it closed in 2004 it subsequently became derelict. Redevelopment of the site began in April 2011 and in addition to the public park, the site includes new buildings of Ashmount Primary School, CAPE Play and Youth Project and Bowlers Community Nursery, as well as improvements to the existing multi-use games area.
Rectory Gardens were laid out by 1894 on former rural open space lying between Hornsey High Street to the south and the grounds of The Rectory to the north. The line of the straight approach drive to the house as shown on the 1864 OS Map now forms part of the roadway, Rectory Gardens, which divides the public gardens today. The original layout included boundary trees, probably London planes of which at least one survives, and a winding walk with many bays for seats running east to west.