Clitterhouse Recreation Ground

Clitterhouse Recreation Ground (also known as Clitterhouse Playing Fields) is a large public green space in Brent Cross, in the London Borough of Barnet, in north-west London. It is a wide stretch of mown grass with a playground, and it is also designated a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.

What is Clitterhouse Recreation Ground like?

The park is one of the biggest open spaces in the area. It covers roughly 18 hectares, which is comparable to about 22 football pitches. Most of it is open grassland, edged by thick hedges that give the fields a sheltered, green boundary despite the busy surroundings. The land has Metropolitan Open Land status, a London designation that protects large open spaces from development.

Along the eastern edge runs Clitterhouse Stream, a tributary of the River Brent. Together with the hedgerows, the stream is one reason the site has been recognised for its local nature value.

What can you do here?

Traditionally the fields have been used for team sports, mainly football and cricket. Facilities listed for the park include a cricket pitch, a junior pitch, separate play areas for children under 7 and for ages 7 to 13, and a skate area. Many visitors simply come for informal activities. In public consultations run by the council, walking and running were among the activities local people enjoyed most.

Even so, the developers of the neighbouring area have pointed out that, for its size, the park offers a fairly limited range of facilities.

Where is it and how does it fit into the area?

The park lies south of the Brent Cross Town development, a large regeneration scheme in this part of London. The outline permission and masterplan for that scheme were approved in 2010 and updated in 2014. Detailed consent for the playing fields followed in 2015 and covered sports facilities, play areas, a pavilion, park facilities and recreation areas.

What changes are planned?

A later planning application (22/5617/FUL) covered earthworks, new sports and play facilities, a pavilion with a cafe and toilets, paths, lighting and landscaping. The revamp was approved in 2023 despite objections from some residents. The plans include new football and hockey pitches, cycle paths, tree planting and a pavilion with a cafe, public toilets and changing rooms.

The scheme has been debated. Neighbours raised concerns about noise, pollution and reduced access, and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE London) said that almost 4 hectares of natural grass would be fenced off for pay-to-play facilities. The developer has said that income from those facilities would go towards maintaining the fields. In the final consultation round, the designs included fewer pitches than the earlier approved version, and the pitches were moved further from nearby homes.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Clitterhouse Recreation Ground? In Brent Cross, in the London Borough of Barnet, in north London.

Is there a playground? Yes. There are play areas for younger children and for ages 7 to 13, plus a skate area.

Is there water in the park? Clitterhouse Stream, a tributary of the River Brent, runs along the eastern border.

Is the park changing? Yes. A redevelopment approved in 2023 plans new pitches, paths, landscaping and a pavilion with a cafe and toilets. Check current information on access before visiting.

Is it protected? It is a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation and has Metropolitan Open Land status.