Centuries of undisturbed history live here. Glebe Lane Pastures awaits.
Welcome to Glebe Lane Pastures a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation. It holds a Grade I listing in Arkley within the London Borough of Barnet.
Glebe Lane Pastures is a special place. It has five fields. Some are managed for hay. Others see horses grazing peacefully.
The grassland here is unimproved. It’s rich with flowers. Yorkshire Fog grass dominates. You will also find a good variety of other grasses. In damper spots tufted hair-grass takes over. The real treasure is the diversity of old meadow plants.
This pasture has remained largely undisturbed for centuries. Only a small area saw cultivation during World War 2. It has never been built on.
Back in 1912, the Finchley Urban District Council bought this land. Their goal was to provide public recreation and enjoyment. Locals used it well until the early 1980s. Proposed road works led to its closure. A public footpath once crossed it. People enjoyed kite flying and picnics here. Children rode ponies. Schools brought classes for nature walks.
In 1999, the council considered selling it for housing. A public campaign saved Glebe Lane Pastures. In 2006, it was designated for community use.
The Long Lane Pasture Trust got a license in 2005. They began restoring the pasture. They cleared rubbish. They improved the land for wildlife.
In June 2009, the Trust received a 25-year lease. They manage the Pasture for wildlife and the community.
In 2012, an oak tree was planted to mark 100 years of public ownership. It’s an English oak.
The Pasture has changed little in 100 years. Cut hay no longer feeds London’s horses. Horses no longer graze here but many wildflowers are thriving again. Though the old footpath to the railway bridge is gone, a network of paths invites less hurried visits.
Some Finchley residents remember Squires United a local football team. Families had picnics. Children flew kites. Manorside School classes studied nature. They created displays of grasses and wildflowers.
Glebe Lane Pastures is now half its original size. It continues as a green space for people and wildlife.
In 2012, Long Lane Pasture launched a Centenary Photo & Art Competition. An exhibition showcased over one hundred photographs and paintings.
Long Lane Pasture received a Community Green Flag Award in 2012/2013. It’s a national award for well-managed green spaces. The Pasture has repeatedly been awarded the Green Flag.
Please remember Glebe Lane Pastures is private. You can view it from Barnet Road east of Glebe Lane. Take a moment to appreciate this haven of nature. Imagine its history and its importance to the community. Glebe Lane Pastures offers a glimpse into the past. It shows a commitment to preserving green spaces for the future.