Totteridge Park

Can you picture a small hunting lodge fit for a king? Totteridge Park began its life as just that, a retreat for William, 1st Viscount Bateman. King George I, however, had a different opinion of William, quipping, “I can make him a lord, but I cannot make him a gentleman.” The “small” hunting seat, conveniently close to London where Bateman spent most of his time, was anything but. An engraving from before 1744, now housed in the Hertford Museum, reveals a rather grand estate, a far cry from a modest lodge. The name Totteridge Park likely originated from a small park adjacent to this grand house depicted on an 1866 Ordnance Survey map. In 1748, the esteemed Sir William Lee, Lord Chief Justice, acquired Totteridge Park. He left his mark, quite literally, with an Ionic doorway and a dated keystone from 1750, still visible today at Totteridge Park. Photographs offer glimpses into the 19th-century interior and exterior. For a time, from 1784 to the mid-19th century, Totteridge Park transformed into a school. Later, it returned to residential use. Between 1890 and 1903, Totteridge Park underwent another transformation, this time embracing the Arts & Crafts style. Perhaps this was for Sir Albert Barratt, the confectioner, who resided there in 1912. The house became a picturesque, asymmetrical, gabled structure. Parts of the central block and north wing, along with the stables, were demolished. A new grand entrance with a rounded arch graced the courtyard side. Eventually, in the 20th century, the main house was divided into ten flats. Sadly, Totteridge Park fell into disrepair before being rescued by developers. In 2016, plans were approved to restore the main building into a single house and seven apartments. Two cottages now stand in the courtyard, replacing a wing lost to fire. Today, Totteridge Park stands as a testament to its rich past, a blend of period charm and modern luxury.