Avenue House Grounds

Avenue House Grounds, now known as Stephens House & Gardens, is a Victorian park in Finchley, in the London Borough of Barnet. It covers roughly ten acres on East End Road in Church End and is classed as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation. It is a quiet green pocket of north London, far from the crowds of the central sights.

How did the garden come about?

The villa, Avenue House, is Grade II listed and dates from 1859. It stands on land once known as Temple Croft Fields. In 1874 Henry Charles Stephens, nicknamed "Inky" Stephens, bought the property, extended the house and added a laboratory among other things. He hired the landscape gardener Robert Marnock to lay out the grounds, and in 1878 he took advice from William Robinson, editor of "The Garden", who recommended Marnock.

When Stephens died in 1918 he left the house and grounds to Finchley Urban District Council on condition that they stayed open to the public. The house was first requisitioned as a hospital, and a long legal dispute followed between the council, the executors and local residents. The gardens opened as Avenue House Grounds on 3 May 1928.

What is there to see?

The layout includes lawns, ponds, mounds with rockwork, a network of informal paths and steps, a paddock and a kitchen garden called The Bothy. Today there is an ornamental pond with a fountain and a children's playground, which makes the park a good choice for a family stroll.

Look out for the veteran black mulberry on the slope above the rockery and pond, which records date to around 1878. The grounds were also known for a fine collection of trees.

A curiosity is The Bothy, built in the late 1870s in the shape of a small castle. It is described as one of the earliest non-Roman concrete structures in England.

An ink museum

The visitor centre houses the Stephens Collection, a small museum about ink and writing implements. It recalls the family fortune built on ink, hence the "Inky" nickname.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park paid? The grounds were left to the public on condition that they stay open, and walking in the park is traditionally free for everyone. Check opening hours and any event charges before you visit.

Is it suitable for children? Yes. There is a playground, and the ponds, fountain and winding paths suit a family walk.

How long should I allow? One to two hours is usually enough for a relaxed walk and the main points of interest.

Why did the name change? The estate now trades as Stephens House & Gardens, recalling the family that shaped it. The older name, Avenue House Grounds, still appears in many sources.

Who is it for?

We recommend it to garden-history fans, admirers of Victorian architecture, families with children and anyone seeking calm in London. The grounds are smaller than the original estate, but they still show what a private landscape garden of the later 19th century looked like.