Site details:
| Avenue House Grounds |
Barnet |
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Avenue House from the grounds, September 2008. Photo: S. Williams
> Enlarge picture |
Avenue House, built in 1859, was acquired by Dr Henry Stephens in 1874, son of the inventor of Stephens ink. He enlarged and improved the property and grounds, the latter laid out by Robert Marnock with lawns, ponds, mounds and rockwork, a network of informal paths and steps, a paddock and walled kitchen garden. Planting included a fine collection of trees. In 1900 Stephens bequeathed the house and 10 acres of grounds to 'the people of Finchley' on condition that it should be 'open for the use and enjoyment always of the public under reasonable regulations'. Put to various uses after Stephens's death in 1918, the property eventually opened to the public in 1928. The present gardens are reduced in size, but the planting and most of the path layout has remained unaltered since the 1870s/1880s. |
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| Previous / Other name: |
Temple Croft Field |
| Site location: |
East End Road, Finchley |
| Postcode: |
N3 3QE |
| Type of site: |
Public Gardens |
| Date(s): |
1870s/1880s; 1928 |
| Designer(s): |
Robert Marnock, assisted by William Robinson |
| Listed structures: |
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| Borough: |
Barnet |
| Site ownership: |
LB Barnet, leased to Avenue House Estate Trust |
| Site management: |
Avenue House Estate Trust (contract with LB Barnet Leisure and Youth Services, Green Spaces Division) |
| Open to public? |
Yes |
| Opening times: |
unrestricted |
| Special conditions: |
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| Facilities: |
Café, children's playground; toilets; Tree Trail (leaflet) |
| Events: |
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| Public transport: |
Tube Finchley Central (Northern). Bus 13, 26, 82,125, 143, 260, 271, 326. |
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The information shown above was correct at the time of the last update 01/10/2008
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.avenuehouse.org.uk
