Description
Riversdale Gardens was laid out as public gardens between 1894 and c.1912, possibly at the same time as the nearby Crescent Gardens to the south-west. The original layout included curving paths with dwarf fencing around areas of turf inset with trees and shrub beds.
Practical Information
| Site location | White Hart Lane/Newnham Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N22 |
| What3Words | ///nobody.fields.pans |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Haringey |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Wood Green (Piccadilly) then bus. Bus W4 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Today the gardens are unenclosed with straight perimeter and cross paths. Planting consists of trees set in turf, mostly young small ornamentals with mature Tilia spp. on the south boundary and a mature silver birch in the south-west corner. The site is a more or less rectangular area of the late C19th Back Lane rising slightly to the north from the north side of White Hart Lane towards Newnham Road, south of Woodside Park q.v.). The name Riversdale refers to the New River, which used to run through here.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ310909 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Haringey |
| Site Management | Parks Service (Woodside Neighbourhood) |
| Dates | 1894 - c.1912 |
| 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 | No |
| Conservation Area Name | abutsTrinity Gardens CA on south side |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
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 White Hart Lane Estate was one of several early LCC cottage estates and was built on land that was previously largely fields. The southern part of the estate was developed c.1905-15 and its provision of public open space and generous private gardens was made possible through a donation from Sir Samuel Montagu. The northern part was built between 1920-27. The design of the estate was influenced by Arts and Crafts ideals and the Garden City movement, with green verges, street trees, private gardens and public open space.
Crescent Gardens were laid out on former rural open space, and by 1894 there were curving paths in the north part, and by 1910 the whole was laid out with serpentine paths, trees, shrubberies and formal bedding. The WWI war memorial on High Road was in place pre-1935. The south end of the gardens was renamed King George VI Memorial Garden and opened on 25 April 1953, laid out with shrub beds behind stone retaining walls, seating and a small circular rose bed in the centre.
White Hart Lane Recreation Ground was laid out by 1914 to serve the growing population, and was provided with tennis courts towards the north of the site. By 1935 the park had a number of other facilities including further tennis courts and playing fields with pavilions, two drinking fountains, as well as a fairly substantial boating pond in the south east corner, around which trees were planted and footpaths laid out. This was evidently a popular facility and gave rise to the park's nickname of Pond Park.