Park of the week

143. Ashley Lane Nature Reserve

This lane, running between Mill Hill and Hendon, connects the public roads Oakhampton Road and Ashley Lane. It’s a peaceful green sanctuary, running between Hendon Golf Course and Hendon Cemetery.

We first walked along it during the first lockdown, and it’s just about wide enough to avoid other people as we had to during that difficult time, with its unfounded rumours that They were going to close parks. That didn’t happen, although park benches were spread with plastic netting to stop people spending too long there. There are no benches along the lane in any case.

It's a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade II. The lane is first mentioned by name in 1594 but it appears to have been part of an important medieval road. It’s said that Cardinal Wolsey travelled along it on his final journey to York in 1530. 

The lane still has its ancient hedgerows, which have developed into narrow belts of woodland. The main trees are oak and ash, with some wild service-trees. The plants at the bottom of the hedge include bluebells, ramsons (wild garlic) and dog’s mercury, which are ancient woodland indicators. A small unnamed stream, a tributary of Dollis Brook, crosses the lane mid-way. 

Some people have wondered whether it can be considered a nature reserve or just a bridle path. If the latter, I wouldn’t want to to ride a horse down it and out at the lower end, which opens onto the Great North Way.

Judith Field

Ashley Lane Nature Reserve, Oakhampton Road, London, NW7 1DU