Parkside Gardens, East Barnet, London EN4 8JP
Oak Hill Park
Parkland
Place photograph
5.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.0Oak Hill Park combines everyday public parkland with a quieter wooded chapter: the council says descendants of the area’s once-famous oaks survive in Oak Hill Woods, whose trees were used in the building of St Albans Abbey.
The appeal here is the contrast between a well-equipped neighbourhood park and its wooded history. Oak Hill Woods preserve descendants of the oaks associated with the Pymmes Brook valley, while the park’s paths and facilities make it an easy place to spend time outdoors.
Peaceful · Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapParkside Gardens, East Barnet, London EN4 8JP
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The experience
Take a relaxed walk through the park and Oak Hill Woods, noting the contrast between open recreation grounds and wooded paths. The council lists gardens, a water feature, wildlife interest and sports facilities; an AllTrails circular provides a longer route option.
Things to do
Walk the Oak Hill Reserve and Park Circular
A 3.4-mile loop listed as easy, with a stated estimated time of 1–1.5 hours. Its surface is mostly paved, with natural and grassy sections; check route details before setting out.
1–1.5 hours
Explore Oak Hill Woods
Walk into the wooded area where descendants of the valley’s historic oaks survive. The council connects the oaks to timber used in the building of St Albans Abbey.
Visit the park gardens and water feature
The council lists gardens and a water feature among the park’s facilities. Check locally for current availability or any temporary restrictions.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
A short park-and-woods wander
- 01
Enter from the Parkside Gardens side.
- 02
Walk through the park’s open grounds and gardens.
- 03
Continue into Oak Hill Woods if paths and conditions allow, then return the way you came.
Half day · About 1–1.5 hours
Oak Hill Park circular
- 01
Follow the Oak Hill Reserve and Park Circular, a published loop starting at Oak Hill train station.
- 02
Allow for a mix of paved and natural surfaces; the route may be muddy after rain.
- 03
Pause in Oak Hill Woods and look for the surviving oaks described by the council.
Verified history
The Pymmes Brook valley was once famed for its oak trees; the council says timber from them was used to build St Albans Abbey and descendants survive in Oak Hill Woods. The land was controlled by the abbey for centuries. After church lands were sold in 1536, large estates were formed, including the estate that became Oak Hill Theological College. The Baring family owned the area from the 1860s until 1928. It was sold to East Barnet Council in 1930, and the park opened to the public in 1933.
Hidden details
The park’s abbey connection — Oak Hill Woods are more than a patch of urban woodland: the council says descendants of oaks from the Pymmes Brook valley survive here, and that the timber was used in building St Albans Abbey.
When to go
April · May · June · September · A dry morning is a practical choice for walking, particularly after wet weather.
The park can be visited year-round; drier conditions are likely to make the mixed-surface circular route more comfortable. The supplied sources do not identify a specific seasonal wildlife spectacle.
The AllTrails route page notes that the trail can be muddy, particularly in winter conditions. Check conditions before setting out.
The route
- ascent
- 219 ft
- surface
- Mostly paved, with natural and grassy sections; route page also lists some unknown surface.
- distance
- 3.4 miles
- duration
- 1–1.5 hours
- difficulty
- Easy
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Oak Hill train station, according to the route listing.
- parking start
- AllTrails mentions a pay-and-display system for those starting the route; confirm current arrangements before setting out.
- shorter alternative
- Take a shorter out-and-back walk within the park rather than completing the 3.4-mile loop; check paths locally.
- Oak Hill Park and reserve
- Wooded sections
- Views and rivers are listed as route features
What to look for
Look for the wooded area known as Oak Hill Woods and the surviving descendants of the oaks associated with the Pymmes Brook valley. The council says timber from those oaks was used to build St Albans Abbey.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Spring and early summer for a greener park visit; the wooded areas can be explored year-round, though paths may be muddy after rain.
Choose a clear, dry day for easier walking; after rain, expect some sections of the longer circular route to be muddy.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Walkers · Dogs
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A public park opened in 1933. The council lists a car park and bus access; check current conditions before visiting. The park includes accessible parking and an accessible entrance, according to the source row.
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Parking
The council lists a car park. Check current parking arrangements before travelling.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
The council lists a café. Check current opening details before visiting.
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row lists a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and seating. Check with the council for route surface and other access details.
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Cost
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Water
Water feature
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Oak Hill Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
