Description
Wood Green Common is a remnant of the original Wood Greene, which abutted the east side of Tottenham Wood, part of the Forest of Middlesex. Wood Green was a hamlet within the parish of Tottenham until the area was developed after the opening of the station in 1859, becoming a separate authority in 1888. The park is in two sections bisected by a straight footpath, the west section open grassland and the east section laid out as a formal garden in the early C20th. In the centre is a drinking fountain in memory of C W Barratt whose confectionery factory overlooked Wood Green Common from 1880 to c.1980, and was an important local employer.
Practical Information
| Site location | Station Road, Wood Green |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N22 7SY |
| What3Words | ///began.ages.shower |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Haringey |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | West: football, playground |
| Public Transport | Tube: Wood Green (Piccadilly). Bus: W3, 184 |
| Research Updated | 25 May 2026 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Wood Green Common is on an irregularly shaped site to the east of Station Road, a remnant of the original Wood Greene that abutted the east side of Tottenham Wood, which was once part of the Forest of Middlesex. The Common originally extended to 70 - 80 acres. Wood Green was initially a hamlet within the parish of Tottenham; after the opening of the station in 1859 on the Great Northern Line the area was developed and in 1888 became a separate local authority. Until the 1970s it was predominantly middle class while Tottenham became increasingly working class.
The park is in two sections bisected by a straight footpath, enclosed by a red brick wall on its north west side and railings. The west section is open grassland with a playground at the westernmost end; the east section was laid out as a garden between 1912 and 1930 with a curving pergola (square piers of concrete / aggregate blocks and concrete cross beams), four paths radiating from a circular area with a central granite drinking fountain (not operational) on four circular granite steps. The fountain is inscribed: 'Erected to the memory of C W Barratt Esq. Chairman of Barratt & Co Ltd. 1930'. Barratt's confectionery factory, which had been founded in Islington in 1848, stood on the corner of Mayes Road overlooking Wood Green Common from 1880 to c.1980 and was an important source of local employment. London plane trees, mostly C19th, line the boundaries on the north, east and part of the south sides.
The park is in two sections bisected by a straight footpath, enclosed by a red brick wall on its north west side and railings. The west section is open grassland with a playground at the westernmost end; the east section was laid out as a garden between 1912 and 1930 with a curving pergola (square piers of concrete / aggregate blocks and concrete cross beams), four paths radiating from a circular area with a central granite drinking fountain (not operational) on four circular granite steps. The fountain is inscribed: 'Erected to the memory of C W Barratt Esq. Chairman of Barratt & Co Ltd. 1930'. Barratt's confectionery factory, which had been founded in Islington in 1848, stood on the corner of Mayes Road overlooking Wood Green Common from 1880 to c.1980 and was an important source of local employment. London plane trees, mostly C19th, line the boundaries on the north, east and part of the south sides.
In 2023/24 Haringey Council worked with residents, local schools, and other key stakeholders to create a better green space for people and to promote biodiversity. The new design of Wood Green Common was an ambitious response to the climate emergency and the need to provide an inclusive neighbourhood space of well-being for a diverse community. Planning permission was granted in April 2024 and the improvement works are now complete.
In partnership with the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation a new PlayZone has been constructed, a small-sided facility designed by the local community to host football as well as a variety of other sports. In partnership with Black Rootz, a plant fostering scheme was provided as part of Haringey's ongoing engagement with schools, residents, and young people. The fostered plants have been replanted in the children's play area.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ307903 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.55 |
| Site Ownership | LB Haringey |
| Site Management | Parks Service (Woodside Neighbourhood) |
| Dates | C19th; 1912-1930 |
| Designers | Not known |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Green (TVG52) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Haringey |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Wood Green Common |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes (part) - NE corner falls within area of archaeological significance |
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
With the adjacent Wood Green Common, Avenue Gardens is part of a chain of green spaces running north and linking to Nightingale Gardens and Trinity Gardens. An irregularly shaped open area between C19th terraces, it was laid out as public gardens between 1864-94 on former rural open space with serpentine paths, shrubberies, trees and some formal beds. The original path layout remains almost intact today.
Nightingale Gardens were laid out on former rural open space between 1894 and 1913, linking the slightly earlier public gardens of Avenue Gardens to the south and Trinity Gardens to the north. The site was enlarged at the north east corner by 1956 and the path at the north end was subsequently realigned to its present position and the formal rose garden with rough artificial stone walls and crazy paving paths was created.
Trinity Gardens is an elongated triangle north of Bounds Green Road that was laid out as public gardens in two phases. Initially the east end of the site known as Finsbury Gardens was created between 1864-94 and in the second phase between 1896-1906 the remainder of the site was laid out, the whole area now named Trinity Gardens. At that time the obelisk drinking fountain that commemorates Mrs Catharine Smithies of Earlham Grove was relocated to its present site in Trinity Gardens.