Obelisk on the west side of Moat Wood in Trent Park

The Trent Park obelisk rises at the north-western edge of Moat Wood in Trent Park, a large public park in Enfield, north London. A listed stone monument with an unusual backstory, it was brought here from another estate and now works as a quiet landmark on a countryside walk just inside the city limits.

What is the Trent Park obelisk?

It is a stone obelisk on a square base. Historic England records it in the National Heritage List for England under entry 1358677 as a Grade II listed structure, first listed in 1974 and amended in 1975. The official title is "Obelisk on the West Side of Moat Wood in Trent Park".

The inscription marks the birth of George Grey, Earl of Harold, son of Henry and Sophia, Duke and Duchess of Kent. The listing carries a note about the date shown on the stone, so the wording of the inscription is the safer thing to quote than any year.

Where did it come from?

The monument originally stood at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire. In 1934 Sir Philip Sassoon, then owner of Trent House, had it moved to Trent Park together with other early eighteenth-century pieces from the same estate. It was set on the edge of the grounds so that it could be seen from the house terrace along a ride cut through Moat Wood.

What will you see?

• a slender stone obelisk with a commemorative inscription,
• the contrast between the formal monument and the surrounding woodland,
• a sightline along the ride towards the old mansion grounds,
• the wider park: meadows, woods and ponds that suit a longer walk.

The obelisk is a stop on a walk, not a full-day attraction. Expect ten to fifteen minutes at the monument itself, and a few hours if you explore the park around it.

How do you get there, and can you go in?

Trent Park is public parkland and the obelisk stands in the open grounds, so you view it from the paths without a ticket for the monument. The nearest Tube station is Cockfosters on the Piccadilly line. From there it is a walk of around fifteen minutes to the park entrance, and further on foot along the paths to reach Moat Wood. Wear sturdy shoes, since the trails can get muddy after rain.

When should you visit?

Daylight hours in spring and summer give the driest paths and the greenest woodland. In autumn the colours around Moat Wood make for good photographs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Trent Park obelisk a listed monument? Yes. It is on the National Heritage List for England at Grade II.

Where did the obelisk come from? From Wrest Park in Bedfordshire. Sir Philip Sassoon moved it to Trent Park in 1934.

Do I need a ticket? The obelisk stands in public parkland and you view it from the paths, with no ticket for the monument itself.

How do I find it? Get off at Cockfosters station, enter Trent Park and head for Moat Wood on the north-western side of the park.