The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) is a month-long celebration of architecture and city-making that takes place every June across London. This year, for the first time, Barnet is an official destination in the LFA’s exciting and varied programme of events. The Barnet Society is delighted at the chance to introduce new visitors (and reintroduce old friends) to Chipping Barnet’s historic centre and the lovely countryside that almost completely surrounds our town.
This year’s LFA theme is ‘In Common’, so we’re leading four walks that we’re calling Barnet commons – old and new. Our Chair Frances Wilson, Vice President Jenny Remfry and I will guide walkers around some of the almshouse gardens and newer shared spaces in and around the town centre.
We’ll see fine architecture including (depending on the walk) the remarkable Arts & Crafts Thomas Watson Cottage Homes, Ravenscroft Cottages and the modern New Ground co-housing for older women. We’ll ramble across remains of the ancient Barnet Common as well as more recent parks such as Highlands Gardens and Ravenscroft Park. And we’ll pass allotments, climb Whitings Hill and follow the secluded Dollis Brook. All these places are inspiring examples of common space across the centuries.
The circular route will include parts of the town centre, then head south-west into the countryside.
More details about the walks – and all the many other LFA walks – can be found on the LFA website. In particular, check out the Friends of Tudor Park event at the former Cricket Pavilion on Sunday afternoon 25 July!
The walk will begin and end at High Barnet tube station. It is about 2.5 hours/4.5 miles long including rough (sometimes muddy) paths which disabled people would find challenging, and sturdy footwear is essential – as well as rainwear if the forecast is poor.
We’ll go at a gentle pace, and there will be frequent stops and opportunities to rest. If you have to leave before the end of the walk, TfL buses can return you to the town centre and High Barnet Station.
Refreshments are available in the town, but we advise bringing your own – especially water if the weather is warm.
We’d like to acknowledge with many thanks the help of a grant from Barnet Council.
Any other queries? Please contact walk leader, Robin Bishop, at robinbishop350@gmail.com or 020 8449 0088 / 07913 107046.
