Avenue House Grounds

Avenue House Grounds is a Victorian estate in Finchley spanning about 4 hectares with gardens featuring paths, terraces, lawns, and an ornamental pond with water plants. Multiple entrances along East End Road provide access to the site, with a network of connected paths and steps linking the different sections together.

Henry Stephens, an ink manufacturer, acquired the estate in 1874 and commissioned landscape architect Robert Marnock to design the gardens. This development reflects the Victorian trend among wealthy Londoners of creating large country estates with ambitious garden designs.

The grounds bear the name of the Victorian villa built in 1859, reflecting how wealthy London residents shaped their private estates during that era. The site preserves pathways and open areas that show how the space was meant to be lived in and enjoyed.

The grounds feature several entrances and are accessible by foot through connected pathways linking different sections via steps. Allow time to explore the path network across the site, as the terrain includes changes in elevation and is divided into distinct areas.

The Bothy, built in 1882 in the shape of a castle, stands as one of England's earliest concrete structures outside the Roman period. This unusual building is a rare historical oddity that many visitors overlook while focusing on the expansive gardens.

Location: London Borough of Barnet

GPS coordinates: 51.59750,-0.19370

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:20