Park of the week

82. Broomfield Park 

Broomfield Park, in Palmers Green, is a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation and is registered by English Heritage in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens for its special historic interest. It was originally the gardens of Broomfield House, built in the sixteenth century. The local authority bought the house and grounds in 1903, and they were opened to the public in the same year. 

The house was Grade II listed in 1950 but was badly damaged by fire in 1984, and it’s still derelict. The local authority plan to bid for National Lottery Heritage funding for “dismantling the derelict shell of Broomfield House, and reconnecting the park and House through memorialisation, interpretation and landscaping.” I don’t know what that means, and perhaps Jack will allow usto go back in a couple of years and find out. The Friends of Broomfield Park, a group of volunteers, work with the local authority to maintain and improve the park.

The park has three lakes, a sensory garden, a conservatory and a community orchard (on the site of a former bowling green). From the former carriage drive, now a large open space, there are good views across to Alexandra Palace and the City of London and parts of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

There are also an outdoor gym, tennis and netball courts, football pitch, a children’s playground, wildflower garden and a memorial garden honouring the dead of both World Wars.

There is a model boating pond, but it’s been empty for a couple of years. It’s now in the early stages of repair and restoration. In August 2019, a wetland area was opened in the park, with the aim of creating a new wildlife habitat and improving river water quality nearby.

There’s a community café run by volunteers, open on Wednesdays and at weekends, and toilets. The main entrance to the park is on Aldermans Hill and there are also gates on Powys Lane and Broomfield Lane. There’s no car park but there is space to park on nearby streets.

Judith Field

Broomfield Park, Aldermans Hill, London N13 4HE