Broomfield Park is a 21 hectare public park in Palmers Green in the London Borough of Enfield. It is a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation [1] and is registered by English Heritage in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens for its special historic interest [2]
The park was the garden of Broomfield House, which was built in the sixteenth century, although the oldest part of the present house is about 200 years old. Rocque's map of Middlesex in 1754 shows the park with its current boundaries, with ponds and an avenue. Three of the four ponds date from the eighteenth century, but the northernmost one was created early in the twentieth. In 1902 Southgate Urban District Council purchased the house and grounds, and they were opened to the public in 1903. The house was gutted by fires in the 1980s and 1990s and has remained in a derelict state since then. [2] [3]
In August 2019, a new wetland area was opened in the park, with the aim of creating a new wildlife habitat and improving river water quality nearby. [4]
The park has tennis and netball courts, a conservatory, a bandstand (where music events are occasionally held) a children's playground and a garden of remembrance. Two former bowling greens have been re-purposed, one for a community orchard and the other as an events space. An active group of volunteers, 'Friends of Broomfield Park', have in collaboration with Enfield Council, revived the conservatory, herbaceous borders, lakes and parkland. Volunteers are planting new trees and hedgerows.
Arthur Mee described it as "one of the most charming and varied in all the London area". [3] The park has a variety of wildlife habitats, including the lakes, some small woods and magnificent oak trees. Aquatic plants include rigid hornwort, which is rare in London. There are also breeding birds such as Canada geese, mallard, tufted duck, coot and moorhen. [1] There used to be a running track at the North East of the park. [5] There is a community run cafe staffed by volunteers. [6]
The park is bounded by Aldermans Hill, Powys Lane, Broomfield Lane and Broomfield Avenue, and there is access from all sides. [2]
Palmers Green is a suburban area and electoral ward in north London, England, within the London Borough of Enfield. It is located within the N13 postcode district, around 8 miles (13 km) north of Charing Cross. It is home to the largest population of Greek Cypriots outside Cyprus and is often nicknamed "Little Cyprus" or "Palmers Greek".
London Wildlife Trust (LWT), founded in 1981, is a local nature conservation charity for Greater London. It is one of 46 members of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, each of which is a local nature conservation charity for its area. The Trust aims to protect London's wildlife and wild spaces, and it manages 36 nature reserves in Greater London. The Trust provides education services for schools. Local groups work on reserves and organise walks.
Broomfield House is a listed building of historical interest located in Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, Enfield, London. Built during the 16th century, it was damaged by fires in 1984, 1993, 1994 and 2019. Various programmes of restoration have been proposed for the building - none have made progress as at January 2024.
Walpole Park is a 28 acres (110,000 m2) Grade II municipal park, situated in Ealing, England. Currently governed by Ealing Council, it was initially the grounds of Pitzhanger Manor, the early 19th-century country home of Sir John Soane. It was acquired by Ealing Council in 1899 and opened to the public for the first time on 1 May 1901.
Hendon Park is a 12 hectare London suburban park situated 7 miles (11 km) north west of Charing Cross. It borders the Northern line, and Hendon Park and Northern line Railway Cutting are a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.
Stanmore Country Park is a 30.7-hectare (76-acre) public park, Local Nature Reserve and Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation in Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow. It is owned and managed by Harrow London Borough Council.
Coppetts Wood and Scrublands is a 14.5-hectare (36-acre) Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade I, between Muswell Hill and Friern Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet. It is part of the Coppetts Wood and Glebelands Local Nature Reserve.
Glebelands is Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade I, in Colney Hatch in the London Borough of Barnet. It is also part of the Coppett's Wood and Glebelands Local Nature Reserve.
Avenue House Grounds is a ten-acre Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation on East End Road in Church End, Finchley in the London Borough of Barnet. The estate is now known as Stephens House & Gardens.
Friary Park is a nine hectare formal Edwardian park in Friern Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet.
Brent Park is a small public park of 2.24 hectares in Hendon in the London Borough of Barnet. It is part of the 'Lower Dollis Brook' Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade II.
Crane Park is a 30 hectare public park next to the River Crane in western Twickenham. The park north of the river is in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and the south in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is part of The Crane Corridor Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, and includes two Local Nature Reserves, Crane Park Island and Pevensey Road.
Cranham Marsh is a 15.3 hectare Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation in Cranham in the London Borough of Havering. It is owned by Havering Council and managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.
Parsloes Park is a 58 hectare public park in Dagenham in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. It is owned and managed by the borough council. A small area opposite the Wren Road entrance is managed for wildlife and designated as a Local Nature Reserve called Parsloes Park Squatts.
Ravensbury Park is a public park in Mitcham in the London Borough of Merton. An area of 7 hectares is designated a Local Nature Reserve. The River Wandle runs along the southern boundary of the park, which is also part of the Upper Wandle River Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.
Oak Avenue is a 1.85 hectare Local Nature Reserve and Grade II Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation in Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is owned and managed by Richmond upon Thames Borough Council.
Blondin Park is an 8.5-hectare (21-acre) public park in Northfields in the London Borough of Ealing. It has allotments area and sports pitches. It is owned by Ealing Council and managed by the Council together with the Friends of Blondin Park. An area of 2.3 ha in the south-west corner is a Local Nature Reserve, and the nature area and allotments are a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.
Oakwood Park is a public park in Oakwood, in the London Borough of Enfield, on land that was formerly part of Enfield Chase. It opened in 1929 and comprises 64 acres of land. It is notable for its commemorative avenue of poplar trees, an avenue of scarlet oaks planted by mayors of Enfield, and an ice well that was built by Samuel Sugden, on whose estate of Oak Lodge the park was largely built and after which it was named.
Millers Pond is a small park in the Spring Park area of the London Borough of Croydon, England.