Walking in North west Londons parks, open spaces, footpaths in the Barnet Town area
Barnet town can be a little confusing with its historic boundary’s having at one time small parts being in the county of Middlesex, and parts in Hertfordshire & now being an outer borough of London. But basically, it dates back to the 1100’s with Chipping Barnet being granted the charter by King John in August 1199 & at a latter date became market town. The Great North road was also built & running through the area, but this is now has moved from the original route & is known as the Barnet Bye-pass.
A couple of hundred years later (Easter Day 14 April 1471) the Battle of Barnet was fought which was to do with the on going battle of the war of the roses. This was partly a civil war between squabbling aristocratic families of the house of York & the house of Lancaster with
A couple of hundred years later (Easter Day 14 April 1471) the Battle of Barnet was fought which was to do with the on going battle of the war of the roses. This was partly a civil war between squabbling aristocratic families of the house of York & the house of Lancaster with
supporters from many different counties on both sides. If you look at the modern day Barnet crest it is made up of many facets of Barnet’s history, with the two roses representing the wars, the lamb from the Hendon crest, the lion and the stag supporters come from the former Borough of Finchley’s Arms which in turn come from a connection with the Compton family. The airscrew is a more resent add on which comes from the former Borough of Hendon’s Arms and symbolises the RAF Hendon Aerodrome.
Barnet fair was another big attraction which started around 1588 with a mixture of sales of horses & fun fair in the beginning & becoming quite a large sports arena of horse racing & boxing. Even Prince of Wales came to the races & the famous Jewish boxer Mendoza was fighting & beat Martins (The Bath Butcher).
Barnet fair was another big attraction which started around 1588 with a mixture of sales of horses & fun fair in the beginning & becoming quite a large sports arena of horse racing & boxing. Even Prince of Wales came to the races & the famous Jewish boxer Mendoza was fighting & beat Martins (The Bath Butcher).
The big advantage for walkers is that Barnet is surrounded by nice walks on all sides & can be quite a good area to head off from. You have walks to the north east going though Hadley wood & past St Mary’s Church at Monken Hadley. (Rebuilt in 1494) Then on to Cockfosters via the woods to Trent park for a picnic or lunch at the Trent Park, Cafe in the parks woods (Map of Trent Park park). You can head west on the London Loop through Totteridge Valley to Moat mount or even better going via the Ridgeway at Mill Hill & through Arrandene open space down to Mill Hill park for some nice food in another good park cafe. You might even see some small muntjac deer if your lucky in the Arrandene open space area. Especialy on the bridal path side.
You could follow the Dollis walk south towards London that follows the Dollis brook for most of the way & is a nice easy walk. The other nice thing about Barnet, is that its the highest point for milies, so most walks are down hill for quite a way.
You could follow the Dollis walk south towards London that follows the Dollis brook for most of the way & is a nice easy walk. The other nice thing about Barnet, is that its the highest point for milies, so most walks are down hill for quite a way.
Barnets coat of arms.
