Highlands Gardens: ever wondered about its hidden stories? This public garden in Barnet, North London, holds more than meets the eye. Let’s explore the history of this green space.
Highlands Gardens sits where Highlands House once stood. The house was demolished around 1972. Flats replaced it. But the gardens? They remained, a testament to the past.
The park opened in 1931. Highlands House already had established gardens. These gardens became the foundation for Highlands Gardens. The entrance greets you at Leicester Road and Abbotts Road corner.
Joseph Bevan Braithwaite lived here. He was a banker. He designed the gardens. He even had a copper-domed observatory for astronomy. Imagine him observing the stars from Highlands House.
During World War II, the dome was painted black. This prevented reflections during moonlight. It was a clever camouflage to protect it from enemy aircraft.
The gardens feature a lawn terrace and a pergola walk. Water and rock features decorate the western side. Mature trees surround all four sides. These rockworks are probably the work of James Pulham and Son, dating back to around 1871.
Specimen trees and exotics thrive here. You’ll spot yucca, monkey puzzle, and yew trees. The Friends of Highlands Gardens help maintain this green space. They work with the London Borough of Barnet. They plant bulbs and pick up litter.
The Friends also secure grants. These grants help improve Highlands Gardens. The council can’t apply for these grants themselves.
The group bought steel benches for the pond area. This was funded by lottery money. The benches sit on hexagonal concrete bases.
Once, an aviary called “Bird World Display Centre” was located here. It stood on the northern edge of the gardens. But it closed in the late 1990s.
Highlands Gardens opens from dawn till dusk. It closes earlier, at 4.30 pm, between November and February. The gates are locked at night.
Barnet Council provides information about the trees in Highlands Gardens. Their interactive tree portal lists all major trees here. You can see species, dimensions, and even inspection records.
The Highlands Gardens stream may flow again one day. There is currently a GoFundMe fundraiser to mend the pond.
Next time you visit Highlands Gardens, remember its history. Think of Joseph Bevan Braithwaite and his observatory. Appreciate the efforts of the Friends of Highlands Gardens. This small park has a rich and fascinating past. It continues to evolve as a cherished community space.