Park of the week

24. Long Lane Pasture

The trust that manages Long Lane Pasture calls it “The Wild Heart of Finchley”. It’s another hidden gem, meadowland bounded by the Benighted North Circular Road, the Northern Line, Pointalls Allotments and Long Lane. You can access it by a pedestrian gate off a footpath at the end of a short access road (opposite Finchley Fire Station), just by the bridge over Long Lane. The Pasture is open every day, from 10am to dusk.

It’s a small remnant of Finchley Common, and is looked after by volunteers, on a lease from Barnet Council who don’t fund it – it’s supported by donations and grants from funding organisations. Under a management plan agreed with the Council, the site is managed to protect its wildlife value and maintain and enhance its biodiversity.

It was once used to grow feed for horses, but the Council purchased it in 1912 “for public enjoyment and recreation”. It has never been built on and has been a public green space for centuries, apart from a small area that was cultivated during World War 2. In the early 1980s it was closed to the public because of proposed road works and in 1999, after years of neglect, the Council decided that the land was surplus to requirements and to sell it for housing development. After a public campaign to keep the Pasture as green space, this decision was overturned and in 2006 the land was designated for community use. In 2012 Long Lane Pasture was awarded a Green Flag Award

It’s a bit rough in places and can be very wet after rain. It took us about three quarters of an hour to walk round, including time spent sitting in the gazebo overlooking the pond. There’s a short hard surfaced footpath that could be used for wheelchairs and buggies, but the rest of the paths are grassy. There are benches to rest on to try to spot birds, butterflies and wild flowers. Some areas are closed off, being kept as undisturbed areas for wildlife. Dogs are not allowed and there are no toilets.

The Pasture provides a home for bees – the hives belong to one of the plot holders from the allotments next door. You can see the bee enclosure, but you can’t go in.

Judith Field

Long Lane Pasture, Long Lane, London N3 2RN