The Hill Garden

It covers about 3 hectares, and drops away to the west from Inverforth House. The colonnaded pergolas and the public garden may be accessed from Inverforth Close, NW3, and from the surrounding open space of West Heath.

The public part of the garden is the that to the west and south of the two lawns at the rear of Inverforth House. The most notable feature is the set of long pergola rising above walkways, leading away from the house. These walkways are raised on brick supports and walls above the surrounding slopes, At the westernmost point they stand at the top of a steep slope. giving some good views of surrounding areas, and at some points, views across northwest London. The pergola uprights are made from cylindrical stone pillars, with timber crossbeams, and with a wide variety of ornamental plants growing on them, or under them. From these walkways, descending by steps, the visitor comes to progressively more informal gardens as the distance from the house increases. Some formal gardens have also been created at the ground level, below the supporting walls of the walkways.

Other parts of the gardens open to the public include those around a formal pool closer to the house, and other more informal shrub and tree plantings round a sloping lawn.

Parts of the present gardens of Inverforth House itself, though inaccessible to the public, can be viewed through railings. They are highly formal gardens, in accordance with the original design.

The garden was designed by Thomas Mawson in the early 20th century, for Lord Leverhulme. It was purchased by the London County Council in 1959. It is well worth a visit for an example of Edwardian garden design. Restoration has been progressing in recent decades, and most of it is finished now. The gardens demonstrate an impressive method of linking formality with informality.

The gardens are now managed by the Corporation of London, who also manage the surrounding heathland and Golders Hill Park a short distance away to the north, as part of the larger estate of Hampstead Heath. The gardens ares closed at dusk.

A number of visitor facilities are available at Golders Hill Park.

Getting there

• Underground; about 1km walk from Golders Green Station.
• Bus; routes 210 and 268 pass by North End Road, a short distance away.
• Car; limited parking may be found in adjacent roads.