Introduction
Remaining features include some of the farm ponds, although the farm buildings have been destroyed. Some of the planting from Repton's scheme remains, along with more recently planted trees.
Part of Fryent Country Park (west of Fryent Way, which bisects the park) has the remains of an C18th landscaped farm formerly part of Wembley Park. 'Bardonhill' is referred to in a Manorial survey of 1547 and was part of the Uxendon estate until it became part of Wembley Park Estate owned by Richard Page. Barn Hill Farm on the summit is first mentioned in 1732, owned by the Page family of Wembley Park.
In the late C18th, Richard Page commenced work on a prospect tower on the hilltop. Page sought the advice of Humphry Repton who was employed at Wembley Park; the southern slopes were laid out as Barn Hills Park. A Red Book apparently refers to "the prospect at Wembley Hill".
References
- G Hewlett, 'A History of Wembley' 1979 p153-156
- Bridget Cherry and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 3: North West' (Penguin, 1999 ed)
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
Opening is unrestricted.
Directions
Tube: Kingsbury (Jubilee); Wembley Park then bus. Bus: 79, 183, 204, 302, PR2.
Owners
London Borough of Brent
Other Websites
- https://www.brent.gov.uk/parks-leisure-and-healthy-living/parks-and-open-spaces/park-finder/fryent-country-park
- https://londongardenstrust.org/conservation/inventory/site-record/?ID=BRE010
- https://www.barnhillconservationgroup.org/history-of-fryentcountrypark
- https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/fryent-country-park/
- History
In the late C18th, land owner Richard Page sought the advice of Humphry Repton who was employed at Wembley Park. Remnants of his scheme survive such as the belt of trees running down from the hilltop and crossing Brampton Grove and Basing Hill. The area was saved from development, firstly in 1927 when 50 acres of wood and hilltop were conveyed to Wembley UDC for Barn Hill Open Space. Then, after Fryent Way opened in 1935, Middlesex County Council compulsorily purchased what was largely farmland to keep it public open space.
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
- Features & Designations
Designations
Local Nature Reserve
Site of Nature Conservation Importance
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Recreational/sport
Principal Building
Parks, Gardens And Urban Spaces
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
Survival
Extant
Hectares
103
Open to the public
Yes
- References
Contributors
London Parks and Gardens Trust