Park of the week

32. Northway Gardens

This park, in Hampstead Garden Suburb, consists of three areas of gardens stretching from Addison Way to Kingsley Way. The park is tucked away, making it another hidden gem, separated from the houses on either side by hedging. The Mutton Brook runs through the gardens in a channel with a bridge across, part lined by willows. The park is a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.

It was laid out as part of the ‘New Suburb’ in 1911 when land was purchased to the east of the original Hampstead Garden Suburb. The first of the three sections, to the west, has woodland and grass. There are formal gardens and tennis courts in the middle area, and ornamental shrubs and trees in the third section, where there’s a children’s playground. There are no toilets nor a café. 

The park is being refurbished by local volunteers, the Northway Gardens Organisation.  They’ve done a lot of work clearing dead trees and shrubs, have completely replanted the previously abandoned rose gardens and put up a pergola. They’ve also replanted the flower beds.

The park is part of the Capital Ring Walk. This is a circular Walk London route, consisting of fifteen sections between Woolwich and Becton District Park and Northway Gardens is part of the section between Hendon Park and Highgate. The Transport for London website is full of information about the walk, including ‘did you know?’ snippets. One that caught my eye is that the benighted North Circular Road is considered the noisiest road in Britain, topping a poll organised by the UK Noise Association. All the more reason for me to avoid it. If only I didn’t have to take it as part of my quest to find parks to visit that don’t involve turning right at the end of our road – as stipulated by Jack. So far, our travels have taken us along it from Hanger Lane to the Great Cambridge Roundabout, and we haven’t finished yet. One hundred and forty-two parks and counting.

Judith Field

Northway Gardens, Northway, London NW11 6RJ