Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Barnet facts for kids

The London Borough of Barnet is a large area in the northern part of London. It's known for having many parks and open spaces. A lot of Barnet is part of the Metropolitan Green Belt, which means it's protected green land. You'll also find many cemeteries and golf courses here, plus a section of the famous Hampstead Heath.

Amazing Parks to Explore

Barnet's Top Parks

Barnet has 16 main open spaces. They are called 'premier parks' because they are so good! Seven of these parks even won a special Green Flag Award in 2009/10. This award means they are well-managed and lovely places to visit.

Here are some of these fantastic parks:

• Childs Hill Park and Basing Hill Park, in Childs Hill
• Cherry Tree Wood, in East Finchley
• Edgwarebury Park, in Edgware
• Friary Park, in Friern Barnet
• Hendon Park, in Hendon
• Lyttelton Playing Fields, in Hampstead Garden Suburb
• Mill Hill Park, in Mill Hill
• Oak Hill Park, in East Barnet
• Old Court House Recreation Ground, in High Barnet
• Sunny Hill Park, in Hendon
• Swan Lane Open Space, in Whetstone
• Tudor Sports Ground, in New Barnet
• Victoria Park, in Finchley Central
• Victoria Recreation Ground, in New Barnet
• Watling Park, in Burnt Oak
• West Hendon Playing Fields, in West Hendon

More Green Spaces to Discover

Barnet is full of green areas! There are over 200 different green spaces across the borough. Some of these include:

• Bethune Park, in Friern Barnet
• Bittacy Hill Park, in Mill Hill
• Brent Park, in Hendon
• Highlands Gardens, in New Barnet
• Long Lane Pasture, in Finchley
• Whitings Hill Open Space, in Chipping Barnet

Special Nature Reserves

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a place that is very important for its wildlife or geology. These sites are protected by law.

• Brent Reservoir is one such place. Part of it is also in the London Borough of Brent.

Local Nature Reserves

Barnet has 7 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs). These are places that are important for nature in the local area. They are great for wildlife and for people to enjoy.

• Big Wood and Little Wood, in Hampstead Garden Suburb
• Oak Hill Wood, in East Barnet
• Scratchwood and Moat Mount open space, in Mill Hill
• Coppetts Wood and Glebelands, in Colney Hatch
• Rowley Green Common, in Arkley
• Totteridge Fields, in Totteridge
• Remember, Brent Reservoir is both an SSSI and a Local Nature Reserve!

Important Places for Nature

The borough also has 67 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). These are places that are important for local wildlife. You can find a full list of them in the article about Nature reserves in Barnet. Here are a few examples:

• Hampstead Heath (only the Hampstead Heath Extension and Golders Hill Park parts are in Barnet)
• Arrandene Open Space and Featherstone Hill, in Mill Hill
• Darland's Lake Nature Reserve, in Totteridge
• Golders Hill Park, in Golders Green
• King George's Fields, in Monken Hadley
• The Mill Field, in Mill Hill
• Monken Hadley Common, in Monken Hadley
• Stoneyfields Park, in Edgware

The Dollis Valley Greenwalk

The Dollis Valley Greenwalk is a lovely walking path in Barnet. It was one of 11 green spaces across Greater London chosen for a special project. It received £400,000 to make lots of improvements. These included better footpaths and more lighting, making it safer and easier to use. The walk follows the Dollis Brook, which is also a very important place for nature.