Sunny Hill Park

Sunny Hill Park is a large, hilly park in Hendon, in the London Borough of Barnet, in north-west London. Covering around 22 hectares of mostly open grass, it offers wide views to the north and west from its higher ground. It is a good spot for a walk, a picnic or a break away from the busier parts of the capital.

What is Sunny Hill Park like?

The park's character comes from its landscape. Rather than a flat, manicured lawn, you get gentle but noticeable slopes with panoramic views across the surrounding area. Most of the space is grassed, ideal for strolling and outdoor play. Older features of the landscape survive too, including hedgerows that mark former field boundaries and mature trees.

How did the park come about?

The land was once known as Sunnyhill Fields and belonged to the neighbouring Church Farmhouse, which housed the Church Farmhouse Museum until 2011. In 1921 Hendon Council bought about 16 acres for a park, which opened in 1922. More land was added in 1929, enlarging it. In the 1930s it was a popular place to watch air displays at nearby Hendon Aerodrome, which later became an RAF base and is now home to the RAF Museum.

What can you do here?

The park has a cafe and a children's playground. For active visitors there are tennis courts, basketball courts and football pitches. Towards the southern end the more urban parkland gives way to wildflower meadow. The park is open to the public without restriction.

Nature and heritage

Together with the neighbouring Hendon Churchyard, Sunny Hill Park is designated a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation. Its south-east corner was once part of the churchyard of St Mary's, an important archaeological site with evidence of Roman and Anglo-Saxon occupation.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sunny Hill Park? In Hendon, in the London Borough of Barnet, in north-west London. It is a short bus ride from Hendon Central tube station.

How big is the park? About 22 hectares.

Is there a cafe and a playground? Yes. The park has a cafe, a playground, tennis and basketball courts and football pitches.

Is there an entry fee? No. The park is open to the public without restriction.

When did the park open? It opened in 1922 and was enlarged in 1929.

Is it good for wildlife? Yes. There is a wildflower meadow at the southern end, and the park and the neighbouring churchyard are protected as a local nature conservation site.