GOLDERS GREEN (Northern Line, Edgware)

Golders Hill Park and the hidden delights of The Hill Garden

Golders Hill itself is basically a tamed part of Hampstead Heath, but this trail also includes a short walk through woodlands to get to the unusual Hill Garden. On leaving Golders Green station turn left towards the old Hippodrome. Sadly this grand building (1913) is no longer functioning as a theatre. Cross at the lights, go left, and after a few yards go right into West Hampstead Drive. On the corner is St. Alban & St Michael Church. This mysterious, somewhat squat building (1932-3) is in free Gothic style by Sir Giles G. Scott. Although it appears to be built of brick, underneath it is actually reinforced concrete. (Scott also designed Bankside (now Tate Modern), Battersea Power station and Liverpool cathedral. However his most familiar work is the iconic red telephone box.)

The unusual church hall (1909) next to St. Giles is in Arts & Crafts style with a little turret. It was the forerunner of the present church and sets the style for the architecture of the surrounding area, whose houses have many Arts & Crafts features. I particularly like Nos. 9 and 11 West Hampstead Drive for their deliberately confused ‘Tudor’ appearance (c1910). At the end of the road go left and then almost immediately cross over West Heath Avenue to West Heath Road. Walk a few yards along the railings of the park to find the entrance immediately opposite Swan Pond. Take the path that goes to the left. This follows the edge of the tree-lined lake and you will soon find a water garden with a little bridge.

After this comes the children’s zoo where there are Greater Rheas and other exotic birds to be seen – also some little Muntjac deer. Continue to follow the path up a slight rise to find the Fallow deer (and donkey) enclosure.

You should not miss the splendid formal gardens by the Lily Pond. Cross the grass at the lower end of the animal enclosure or take the path to the right towards the willow tree opposite the bandstand to find spectacular flower beds, benches dotted about in leafy alcoves and several attractive sculptures.

Just beyond the upper end of the deer enclosure is one of the formal entrances to the park from West Heath – a great place to wander, do bird watching etc. The track leading into the woods is soon bisected by Sandy Road. Go straight ahead if you want to explore the heathland. (This is an awkward area for buggies etc, however there is a children’s play area to the right of the gates near the Leg of Mutton pond.)

 The Hill Garden (Open from about 8.30 am to dusk). Please note that this route is not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs or those with walking difficulties)

At the gate into the Heath, turn left and almost immediately take a narrow upwards path into the woods. Follow this path for about five minutes turning right at an intersection. (You will see a seat a few yards ahead.) Bear right here and you are at the gate into The Hill Garden. Here you can wander round the formal part of the gardens, enjoy the wilder areas, or discover the delights of the pergola walk, which is raised about 15 feet above ground on classical columns and provides lovely views of the surrounding woods and the planting below . The gardens were laid out in the early part of the twentieth century by Thomas Mawson  for Lord Levershulme (Sunlight Soap magnate). The large house behind the pergola is Inverforth House, once Lord Leverhulme’s mansion (then called The Hill). It is now divided into luxury flats. The raised walkway stretches for nearly half a mile, but a couple of turnings creates an illusion of even greater length. To return a different way , retrace your steps to The Hill Garden entrance and turn left. Take the second narrow downward path into the woods. This leads to some steps (take care in wet weather) and back to the park and café.
MAP

© DR2010

This is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and quirky buildings even in the most unpromising areas covered by outer London Underground stations. Usually the discoveries are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to go to London Tube Rambles and see the other destinations explored. You'll be amazed at what's out there !