Oak Hill Park, Barnet, London EN4 8QQ
Oak Hill Wood
Ancient woodland
Source image
5.9
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.9A steep-sided woodland in East Barnet, with hornbeam, oak and ash on a valley slope and a spring display of wood anemones.
Oak Hill Wood brings woodland wildlife and seasonal flowers into an urban setting. Its sloping paths and valley landscape make for a more substantial nature visit than a simple park stroll, though the terrain can be muddy and difficult underfoot.
Peaceful · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapOak Hill Park, Barnet, London EN4 8QQ
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The experience
Explore the reserve at a relaxed pace, noticing the change in woodland character across its valley slopes. Expect steep and potentially muddy paths; this is not a reliably easy-access stroll.
Things to do
Look for wood anemones
London Wildlife Trust features wood anemones at the reserve. April to July is the Trust’s stated best visiting period, but it does not specify peak flowering dates.
Notice the valley woodland
Walk with care on the steep slopes and look for the reserve’s hornbeam, oak and ash.
Watch and listen for wildlife
The Trust describes the wood as a place to look for bats and highlights wildlife after dark. Do not enter after dark without checking current access and safety information.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; suggested, not an official route duration
A short woodland wander
- 01
Enter from Oak Hill Park or Mansfield Avenue.
- 02
Take a relaxed walk on the reserve’s paths, allowing for steep sections and steps.
- 03
Pause to look for wood anemones in spring and notice the hornbeam, oak and ash.
- 04
Return the way you came; no sourced circular route is available.
Half day · Half day; suggested, not an official itinerary
Woodland and park half-day
- 01
Walk through Oak Hill Wood at a pace suited to the steep and potentially muddy paths.
- 02
Spend time in the surrounding Oak Hill Park; GoParksLondon lists grass areas and park facilities.
- 03
Finish at the park café listed by GoParksLondon, checking opening details before setting out.
Verified history
London Wildlife Trust describes Oak Hill Wood as a steeply sloping medieval woodland. A Trust autumn feature says it is ancient woodland thought to date back to at least the 11th century. The supplied sources do not provide a fuller chronology or identify particular historic structures to visit.
Hidden details
A woodland with medieval roots — The Trust describes the site as medieval woodland; its autumn article says the ancient woodland is thought to date back to at least the 11th century.
Wild service-tree and woodland fungi — London Wildlife Trust’s autumn article lists wild service-tree and fungi including beefsteak polypore and common inkcap among species to look for.
When to go
April · May · June · July · September · October · November · No preferred time of day is specified by the supplied sources.
London Wildlife Trust recommends April to July and September to November. Its autumn article highlights changing leaves and fungi; the reserve page features wood anemones.
Paths can become muddy in wet weather. The steep slopes and steps may make access difficult.
Worth pairing with
Oak Hill Park café
GoParksLondon lists a café with indoor and outdoor seating in Oak Hill Park. Confirm current opening details before visiting.
Oak Hill Park
The reserve is accessed from Oak Hill Park. GoParksLondon describes the wider park as having grass areas and a woodland nature reserve.
What to look for
Look for wood anemones in spring and the reserve’s hornbeam, oak and ash. London Wildlife Trust also identifies ancient trees, wildflowers and wildlife after dark as features of the site.
The story
Ancient woodland; medieval woodland landscape
Best time to go
April–July for woodland flowers and wildlife; September–November for autumn colour.
April to July for the reserve’s stated best visiting season, with September to November also recommended. Autumn brings colour to the woodland canopy.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Phone
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
London Wildlife Trust says the reserve is open at all times, with entrances from Oak Hill Park and Mansfield Avenue. Paths can be steep and muddy; check conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
London Wildlife Trust reports street parking in the local area and a visitors’ car park in Oak Hill Park. Check current availability and restrictions before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
A public toilet is listed in the supplied Google place data; check availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
A park café is listed by GoParksLondon; check opening details before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs on leads, according to London Wildlife Trust.
Accessibility
The terrain is steep, with steps and paths that can become muddy in wet weather. The reserve page warns that access can be difficult; do not assume paths are wheelchair- or pushchair-accessible.
Cost
Free
Water
Stream
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Oak Hill Wood
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
