WEST FINCHLEY, WOODSIDE PARK
Northern Line, High Barnet

Dollis Valley Greenwalk. A very pleasant stream trail. I have combined these two stations in one entry as the route can be done as one long ramble.




















From WEST FINCHLEY Tube station cross over the road and go left for a few yards to get to Courthouse Gardens, then almost immediately go down Fursby Avenue. After a few minutes you will come to a bridge over Dollis Brook. There is a good path in either direction. I have split the walk into two sections.

Southwest: From Fursby Avenue go over the bridge to find (on the left) the Dollis Valley Greenwalk waymarked path which at first leads past some well-kept allotments. Soon you are in woodland, with the brook meandering on your left. In the spring the whole area is a mass of wild garlic – very pretty, if a trifle pungent in hot sunshine! This is lovely walk, with many twists and turns. You can keep to the made-up path or explore the woodland paths if there has not been too much rain. At a kind of T junction go to the right (away from the road you can see on your left) and cross over a bridge. A few minutes more walking will bring you to Dollis Road.

It is worth leaving the woods and turning right to have a look at the huge viaduct constructed in the 1860’s to carry the Northern Line railway to Mill Hill East. In fine weather you might like to return to Fursby Avenue by a woodland track, away from the tarmac path – if you follow the brook you won’t get lost.

Northeast: To continue the walk cross over the bridge on Fursby Avenue, and go into a area that is more like a park than the previous section. Follow the tarmac path by the side of the stream. After a few minutes you will come to a children’s play area. Continue and cross Argyle Road. The park continues on the other side and ends at Southover Way. (To continue further still along the Dollis Valley Greenwalk see the entry for Woodside Park below) If at this point you wish to return to Fursby Avenue and West Finchley Tube station, you can go a slightly different way back. When you reach the first small concrete bridge in the park after coming from Southover Way, cross over and turn right to follow the stream. This will take you back to Fursby Avenue and the station. Alternatively from the Southover Way end of the park you can follow the route below which will get you to another Tube station (Woodside Park) more quickly.

Directions to Woodside Park Tube station from Dollis Brook : there is a small concrete bridge (mentioned above) over the stream soon after the Southover Way entrance to the park (it’s the second bridge you get to if you are coming from Fursby Avenue).Go straight over this towards Westbury Road and turn left. Keep going up Holden Road and cross to Station Approach – only a five minute walk.

WOODSIDE PARK Tube station From here you can do the same trail as that described above. Leave the station via Station Approach, turn left at Holden Road, following the line of the road straight on as it becomes Westbury Road. Almost immediately, opposite a pillar box, there is a pathway (unmarked). Cross over to this and five minutes from leaving the station you are at the leafy Dollis Brook.

Alternatively you can follow the Dollis Valley Greenwalk to Totteridge and Whetstone Tube Station. To do this, at Southover Road turn right and walk a few minutes along the busy road until Tillingham Way. Soon you will see the sign for the brookside walk on the left hand side of the road. This is surfaced and easy going for those with buggies or walking difficulties. When you get to Laurel Way cross over and pick up the brook again. This area is known as Whetstone Stray and is particularly pleasant, meadowland and trees, giving it a rural feel.

When you reach Totteridge Lane go right to get to Totteridge and Whetstone station, about ten minutes walk past a parade of shops. On the way you may notice the continuation of the Dollis Valley Greenwalk, which you can, of course, follow if you wish. However, if you go to the entry for Totteridge & Whetstone you will see that I opted to leave the brook at this point and go to Totteridge Village.

I apologize if these instructions seem complicated, but I have tried to cater both for those just out for a stroll and for others wanting a longer walk. I promise that it is much clearer when you are actually there!

Photos:Dollis Brook, viaduct, Whetstone Stray

MAP for West Finchley walk
MAP for Woodside Park walk

West Finchley/Woodside Park is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and whacky buildings to be found, even in the most unpromising areas covered by the Greater London Underground stations. Usually the places listed 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 www.londontuberambles.co.uk to see the other destinations explored . You'll be amazed at what's out there!


© DR2008