Park of the week

212. Hendon Tiny Orchard

Had it not been for the London Underground strikes this week, I would not have noticed this little green space in Church Road, Hendon, during our 45-minute long stop-start 5 mile car journey to Kisharon in Cricklewood, although we must have driven past it many times before. We happened to stop right next to it, I noticed the sign and went back on the way home to find out more.

The local community were actively involved in shaping and looking after the Tiny Orchard, the first in London, through a series of events; including a community design workshop that took place in the summer of 2024, maintenance training session and site preparation in the autumn, as well as events in the new year to celebrate this great new space and plant some spring loving plants.

The orchard was planted and opened in December 2024, using forest gardening and permaculture principles, as part of a new partnership between FUNKIN Cocktails and Earthwatch Europe. The project was supported by The Orchard Project and Barnet Council and inspired and supported by the local community. The Tiny Orchard is part of Earthwatch’s Nature in Cities work, which aims to create greener, healthier cities and improve access to nature-rich spaces to empower people of all ages and from all walks of life to connect with nature and act for the planet.

It provides a new community space for people to come together, enjoy nature, learn new skills and grow food – it's hoped for years to come - as well as to create new habitats for wildlife. The Tiny Orchard includes a mix of fruit trees and bushes, edible trees and shrubs which have been specially selected for this site, and a mix of species which will make it more climate resilient. It’s cared for by a group of volunteers who meet monthly.

Judith Field

Hendon Tiny Orchard, 9 Church Road, London NW4 4EB