Folly Brook

From the gentle slopes of Highwood Hill, Folly Brook begins its journey. Folly Brook meanders through the heart of London’s Barnet borough. This unassuming stream, a mere 2+1⁄4 miles long, holds a surprising amount of ecological and historical significance. Folly Brook flows eastward, carving a path through fields and public spaces before reaching Woodside Park. For much of its length, Folly Brook is embraced by narrow bands of woodland and scrub. This provides a rich habitat for a variety of trees and shrubs. This vibrant ecosystem makes Folly Brook a haven for small aquatic invertebrates. These include several species of caddis fly and a stonefly, indicators of clean, unpolluted water. Darland’s Lake, an ornamental lake created by damming Folly Brook, is a key feature along the brook’s course. Now a nature reserve, Darland’s Lake and the surrounding woods offer a tranquil escape. The lower section of Folly Brook, from Darland’s Lake through Folly Brook Valley, is open to the public. A footpath follows the brook, starting near Darland’s noticeboard. It winds through woods to grasslands between Burtonhole Lane and the Pasture and Woodridge Nature Reserve. Here, Folly Brook is joined by its tributary, Burtonhole Brook. The path continues, taking walkers under Southover, where Folly Brook eventually merges with Dollis Brook near Woodside Park Underground station. This connects Folly Brook to the Dollis Valley Greenwalk, a larger network of trails. Folly Brook and Darland’s Lake Nature Reserve are recognized for their ecological importance. They have been designated a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade I. Folly Brook also carries a piece of London’s history. Until 1965, it served as a boundary marker between the boroughs of Hendon and Totteridge, and consequently, between the counties of Middlesex and Hertfordshire. This quiet stream has witnessed the changing landscape of London, flowing as a constant reminder of the natural world amidst the urban sprawl.