Oakwood Park
Green Flag Winner 2008/2009/2010/2011
History
The area known as Oakwood Park was originally part of Enfield Chase. Following the Norman Conquest, William I divided the land amongst his followers and the Manor of Enfield (which included Enfield Chase) was given to Geoffrey de Mandeville, a powerful Norman Baron. In the middle of the 12th century, the third generation of Mandevilles became Earl of Essex. The grand daughter of the first Earl married Humphrey De Bohun and Enfield Chase became the property of the prominent De Bohun family. The name De Bohun is still visible today, for example De Bohun Primary School.
A daughter of the last Humphrey De Bohun married Henry Bolingbroke, a son of John Gaunt, who became Duke of Lancaster on the death of his father. The Duke later became Henry IV and Enfield Chase remained the King's property for nearly 400 years. In 1777 the 8,351 acres known as Enfield Chase was deforested and later divided up and distributed between the King, who retained 3,218 acres and the freeholders of neighbouring parishes. The Parish of Edmonton, including Southgate , was allotted 1,231 acres. Oakwood Park is a remnant of this allocation.
The northern part of Oakwood Park became the property of Mr William Tash, one of the largest landowners of that time, who lived at Broomfield House and was Lord of the Manors of Bowes and Dernsford until his death in 1816. The southern part of Oakwood Park became the property of Mrs. Mary Bowles (nee Galliard) a well known Edmonton resident, who sold it soon after.
In 1870, Samuel Sugden, a homeopathic chemist purchased the land, which included a farmhouse. He renovated this building, adding a walled garden and orchard and renamed it "Oak Lodge". An igloo shaped ice well was also built in the grounds, which can still be seen today. This Lodge was pulled down some time after the Great War (1914-1918). Southgate Council purchased the 64 acres in 1927 for £17,134 and, taking the name from Oak Lodge to form "Oakwood", opened the park to the public.
Oakwood Park has an avenue of scarlet Oak trees, which were planted annually by the Mayor, since 1945 (this tradition only recently stopped). In the northern part of Oakwood Park , you can see an avenue of Poplar Trees (see front cover), planted 70 years ago to commemorate the coronation of George VI. A replacement planting program is currently underway.
Pages in Oakwood Park
- 1. Green Flag Winner 2008/2009/2010/2011
- 2. Facilities
- 3. Friends of Oakwood Park
- 4. Volunteers - Would you like to get involved?
- 5. Opening & Closing Times
- 6. Useful Information
- 7. Contact Us
