Broomfield House

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April 2025

Unlocking Broomfield Park for the community

Enfield Council received support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their project 'Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community'. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project aims to improve Broomfield Park by exploring its history and offering fun activities for everyone.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has provided funding to help Enfield Council plan for a larger grant. The project will involve removing the burnt sections of Broomfield House and connecting the house with the park again. They will also restore the special Baroque water garden.

Enfield Council is working with the Friends of Broomfield Park, Broomfield House Trust, the Enfield Society, Southgate District Civic Voice, and local councillors to make this project happen.

During the planning phase, the council will work with the local community to develop a shared vision for Broomfield House and its place in the park. Local residents can join in activities, such as health and wellbeing events, a community archaeology dig, a mural project, and helping to make decisions about the park.

Have your say survey – what do you want to see as part of Unlocking Broomfield for the community?

Please tell us your story or memory – what does Broomfield House or Park mean to you and your family.

Community engagement begins

Enfield Council and the Matchbox Collective have begun improving the hoardings around the old Broomfield House, in preparation for a new community mural celebrating the history of the park and house.

This project began with 2 workshops involving art students from Laurel Park School, who helped design elements of the mural. Colin Younger from Broomfield Park Trust and Victoria Black, the council's Head Gardener, gave presentations to the aspiring artists. There were 2 further community workshops in the park and an open-door public 'Paint Jam' on Saturday, 12 April, where both aspiring mural artists and the public were invited to take part. The painting will continue throughout April.

Keep an eye out for the big reveal of this large, dramatic mural over the next few weeks.

The mural on the front of the old house will form a timeline that spans from the beginning of time through recognisable human history and into the far future.

Here are the 5 main installation artists, each focusing on a different historical era:

HATCH (@hatch_art): 1914 onwards
SHIO (@shiodrawing): Georgian to Edwardian
Ellie Fryer (@elliefryer): Norman to Stuart
Bec Dennison (@bulletonastring): Romans and Anglo-Saxons
Gavin McPhail (@gavinthebad): Prehistory to Celtic Britain

Thanks to the Friends of Broomfield Park and the Broomfield House Trust who provided much support.

Additionally, 5 new information panels have been added to the hoardings, telling the story of the park and house.

January 2024

We received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the development phase of the project ‘Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community'. This is a 2-year project running from February 2024 to November 2025.

During this period we will:

work with the local community to produce a shared vision for the memorialization of Broomfield House, and its integration back into the historic park
establish a permanent home for material salvaged from past fires
run a range of activities with stakeholders, residents and project partners
secure planning and statutory consent for future works

Project progress will be added to this page.

A further application (Round 2) to the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be required in 2025 to deliver the vision onsite.

June 2023

We are currently preparing a grant funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for improvements to the heritage parts of Broomfield Park which includes proposals on the House ruins.

If successful in obtaining funding, this project will kick-start the rejuvenation of Broomfield Park by dismantling the unsafe parts of the derelict shell of Broomfield House, and reconnecting the park and house through memoralisation, interpretation and landscaping.

This application is due to be submitted in August 2023 and we will be notified by the National Lottery Heritage Fund of whether our bid has been successful in the first quarter of 2024.

If successful, we will receive an initial award to resolve on a shared vision for the house and landscape around it in consultation with the local community and determine the project costs, required resources, and timeline for its delivery.

To secure funding to implement the works to the house and park necessary to deliver this vision, another funding application will be made to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2025. If that final stage is successful, works to the house would commence in 2026.

In the lead-up to submitting a bid, we are testing some initial ideas and a programme of activities with residents and park users. We would welcome your ideas and feedback by completing a short survey by Sunday August 6 2023.

Complete the 'Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community' survey.

May 2019

We are carrying out feasibility work to see if reconstruction of the external shell of Broomfield House can be funded by the disposal of the fire damaged stable block/yard (formerly used for staff accommodation).

For more information view the council statement (PDF, 42.82 KB).

September 2018

We have been working with the Broomfield House Trust to explore a resolution for the longstanding case of fire ravaged Broomfield House and its associated Stable Block/Yard. As part of this process we are required to put the site on the market.

We have been working with Historic England to ensure the marketing exercise is as robust as possible and gives the best possibility to find interested parties. It will be launched on Saturday 15 September and remain on the market until at least December 2018. View our marketing brochure (PDF, 522.33 KB).

Drone footage shows the surviving remains of Broomfield House:

August 2018

An exhibition exploring the history of Broomfield House will run from 28 July 2018 to 6 January 2019 at the Museum of Enfield. The exhibition called 'Hidden Treasures - Revealing Broomfield House and Park', includes a restored piece of the C18th Lanscroon mural.

January 2018

We will soon begin marketing the House and Stables to see if there are any privately funded options for the site. This work is required by Historic England, in accordance with government guidance.

Broomfield House Partnership Board - 2014 to 2018

A Partnership Board was set up in October 2014 to explore options for the House and Stables to be restored with lottery funding, to provide public access and a viable future use. The Board has representatives from the council, Historic England, Broomfield House Trust and Friends of Broomfield Park. If the board were unsuccessful, an application to the Secretary of State for the demolition of the remaining structure would have to be considered.

Documents have been prepared to provide information on the importance of Broomfield House, Stables and Park and explore options for its development.

These show that restoring Broomfield House will cost approximately £5 million, with the restoration of the Stable and Bothy buildings at approximately £2 million. Even with beneficial new uses, such as a café/restaurant in the House and offices and residential or arts studio in the Stables, a cross-subsidy, grant or other funding is needed.

The Conservation Management Plan (PDF, 6030.96 KB) and Gazetteer (PDF, 11028.08 KB) provide a detailed assessment of the House, Stables and Park.

Options appraisal reports

The options appraisal includes the following documents:

Previous restoration attempts

Heritage Lottery Fund application

In 2012 the council, working with the Broomfield House Trust and Friends of Broomfield Park submitted a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to transform the House into a heritage and learning centre.

Under these proposals, the restored house would include a cafe on the ground floor with a patio overlooking the gardens. The house would also become a community hub with a rolling programme of events and learning opportunities including volunteering, training and apprenticeships in activities such as heritage restoration.

The total cost of the restoration of the house and the Lanscroon murals was estimated to be £6.7 million. This included £4 million from the HLF and the remainder coming from the council, a Greater London Authority grant, and fundraising. Further details of the bid can be found in three documents:

The council's bid to the HLF (for £4,175,000) was not approved by the HLF Board of Trustees, as they were concerned with the amount requested.

Since this time, the council have been continuing to support the Trust and Friends in evolving their proposals, in an attempt to address the HLF's concerns and pave the way for a more successful proposal.

Sheltered housing

In 2009 a study by heritage specialists showed that much of the fabric could still be saved and a further report recommended the development of the house, stables and yard as sheltered housing in partnership with a Registered Social Landlord.

While preparing these reports with Historic England, we made a successful bid to the London Development Agency, supported by the Mayor of London, for £5.9m of core funding for the restoration and conversion to homes for older people.

Conservation architects prepared a Feasibility Study that confirmed that we could restore the house, put back the much-missed hall, cafe and meeting room, all while providing up to 20 homes for older residents within the House, converted the stable block and the kitchen garden.

An initial £500,000 was received in April 2010 to start design work and consultants were appointed to take this forward. Unfortunately because of government cuts, the Greater London Authority confirmed in September 2011 that it was unable to grant the £5.5 million necessary to restore the building. Without substantial public funding the project isn't possible, and there are few alternative options.

Broomfield House Taskforce scheme - 2003 to 2005

A Broomfield House Taskforce was established as a voluntary partnership of council and community organisations to seek a self-sustaining solution for the full restoration of the house and stables area. Solutions required amendment to the covenant but failed to win public support. At this time Broomfield House was also featured as a nominee on the BBC Restoration series, but was unsuccessful in the public vote.

Radiomarathon proposal - 2003

A proposal for the restoration and reuse of the stable block as a day centre by the charity Radiomarathon did not proceed. Radiomarathon found alternative premises.

Bass proposal - 1999

Bass made an offer for Broomfield House to be used as a family restaurant. This option would have provided separate free community access to first floor rooms from the original grand staircase hallway. The proposal would also have facilitated the mural reinstatement. Bass decided not to proceed with this.

Broomfield House Community Group 'Prometheus' scheme - 1998

Enfield Council allocated a grant of £10,000 to Broomfield House Community Group (later to become Broomfield House Trust) to engage consultancy and support Prometheus to come forward with a solution.

Whitbread - Chef and Brewer family restaurant proposal - 1998

This scheme proposed the full house restoration, public use of the upstairs rooms on a fee paying basis and customer parking in the stable yard. The council considered this as match funding for an HLF bid for landscape works and restoring the Lanscroon mural. Planning and listed building consent was achieved but Whitbread withdrew for commercial reasons. (1998)

Chicken Shed Theatre

The theatre negotiated for the site but the scale of new build requirements to the rear lawns of Broomfield House for a large theatre were prohibitive and they dropped the proposal.

Royal Church School of Music

The school considered terms with the council for moving to Broomfield House with an extension on the rear lawns. RSCM relocated elsewhere.

Get involved

Unlocking Broomfield events

All events are free, but space may be limited.

Unless otherwise stated, all events will be held in Broomfield Park.

This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

Activity	Information	Date and time
Come and visit a real archaeological dig at Broomfield Park. You can meet the excavation team from the Enfield Archaeological Society as they dig 2 trenches to explore possible water garden features.	Depending on the number of participants, you may have the chance to join the excavation, guided by experienced volunteers from the society, on one or more of the excavation days. For safety reasons, only those aged 16 and over can participate in the digging. You must be a member of the Enfield Archaeological Society to be covered by insurance, but for this event, the organisers will cover the membership fee. You'll also receive the society’s email bulletin for the rest of 2025. To join in, speak to a member of the excavation team on one of the digging days. Please wear sturdy footwear and dress appropriately for the weather, as you might get a bit dirty.	26 to 27 April, and 3 to 5 May 2025. They will be at the site behind Broomfield House, as long as it is not raining continuously.
Open day - come and meet the excavation team from the Enfield Archaeological Society	For children, there will be a tabletop sand pit where they can dig. Visitors of all ages will have the chance to handle archaeological finds and purchase publications from the Enfield Archaeological Society. Other organizations, including Historic England, have been invited to set up stalls. Council officers will also be available to answer any questions you have about future plans for the house and park.	Saturday 3 May 2025, from 10:30am to 3:30pm.
Waggle dance 1 As part of our Unlocking Broomfield heritage events and to celebrate World Bee Day, come and join Jess and friends from Waggle Dance Co. for a fun creative dance workshop in the park. You'll get to learn the waggle dance and enjoy some time outdoors.	Bee crafts will be available from 10:30am to 2:15pm. Bees are important pollinators, and Broomfield Park has its own beehives. Discover why bees are closely associated with the historic Broomfield House.	17 May 2025. Morning workshop with Jess and Issy - 11:30am to 12:15pm. Afternoon workshop with Jess and Danielle - 1:30pm to 2:15pm. Meet at the bandstand in the centre of the park.
Waggle dance 2 Join us for a 60-minute creative dance workshop that ends with a group waggle dance. As part of our Unlocking Broomfield heritage events and to celebrate World Bee Day, come and have fun in the park with Jess and friends from Waggle Dance Co. You'll get to learn the waggle dance and enjoy a lively workshop.	Bee crafts will be available from 10:30am to 2:15pm. Please note: there may be filming at this event. Wear comfortable clothes for dancing. Even better, dress like a bee! Think yellow, black and white, or stripes. Wings are welcome too. Bees are crucial pollinators, and Broomfield Park has its own beehives. Discover why bees are closely linked to the historic Broomfield House.	Saturday 24 May 2025. Afternoon workshop with Issy and Danielle - 1pm to 2pm. Meet at the bandstand in the centre of the park.
Talk with slides: The informal history of Palmers Green and Broomfield Park.	As part of our Unlocking Broomfield heritage events, join Joe Studman, a local history guide and speaker, for a late afternoon talk at the Ruth Winston Centre. Joe will share stories about Palmers Green and Broomfield Park. Joe has been leading walks, talks, and local history courses in Enfield for the past 14 years for groups like The Enfield Society, Forty Hall, and Enfield Council. He also runs Jaywalks!, and this talk is based on one of his most popular presentations, now in its 12th year. John Cole, Enfield Council's Community Engagement Officer, will also be available to answer any questions you have about future plans for Broomfield House and park.	Wednesday 21 May 2025. Arrive from 4:15pm for a 4:30pm start (90 minutes). Ruth Winston Centre 190 Green Lanes Palmers Green London N13 5UE Phone: 020 8886 5346 Email: info@ruthwinstoncentre.com Light refreshments will be available.
Palmers Green: A walk around a classic Edwardian suburb with Adrian Day as your guide. The walk is based on the Enfield Society’s Heritage Walk No. 8 leaflet, written by Adrian.	Join Adrian Day, a resident of Palmers Green for over 30 years, for a morning walk around this classic Edwardian suburb, including Broomfield Park. The walk will focus on the heritage buildings and architecture of Palmers Green. Learn about how Palmers Green transformed from a small village in the early 1900s into the bustling suburb it is today. And, of course, hear about the famous triple-decker Knight Bus from Harry Potter.	Saturday 31 May 2025. Meet at Palmers Green Station at 10:30am by the side road that leads to the station car park. The walk is roughly 5 kilometers long and will take around 2 hours, depending on the walking speed of the group. Feel free to grab a drink from The Yard café beforehand. The walk will end back at Palmers Green rail station, but you can leave at any time. Please note: the walk is not suitable for small children, and some parts, like the New River towpath and the Remembrance Garden, are not accessible for mobility aids.
Palmers Green: a morning guided walk around Broomfield Park with Adrian Day as your guide.	Join Adrian Day, who has been a resident of Palmers Green for over 30 years. Learn about the home of the richest man in England, murals by a Flemish Baroque artist, a wartime decontamination shelter, and the house where The Lord Mayor of London hosted the Prince Regent along with royalty from Russia, France, and Prussia. John Cole, Enfield Council's community engagement officer, will also be available to answer any questions you have about future plans for the House and Park.	22 June 2025, 10:30am. The walk will start and finish at The Palmers Greenery Community Cafe, located by the tennis courts in the middle of the Park. Feel free to grab a drink from the café beforehand. The walk is roughly 2.5 kilometers long and will take about 90 minutes.
2-hour workshop focused on deep listening and drawing the sounds of Broomfield Park. Join Harriette Meynell, a multi-disciplinary artist, for a creative workshop in the park. In this workshop, you'll learn how to listen closely to your surroundings and record the sounds visually and on your phone. The goal is to help you truly hear the variety of sounds the park has to offer. Together, we'll create a visual and audio collage of the sounds of Broomfield Park. This collective sound record, both on paper and audio, will reveal the park's unique sonic landscape. We'll also have the chance to look at and discuss what we've created as a group. Some participants may find the process relaxing and meditative, and it might offer a useful listening approach for other settings.	Harriette will lead a workshop focused on deep listening and drawing the sounds of Broomfield Park. The workshop will include a walk to different locations in the park for listening and drawing. If you need a folding chair, please bring one. All materials will be provided. No experience is necessary. Some listening stops may involve finding your own spot and then rejoining the group. This workshop is suitable for everyone, but the listening exercises require quietness, which might be challenging for very young children. Wear weather-appropriate clothes, as the workshop is outdoors (rain makes great sounds!). Bring your phone and any other portable recording equipment or microphones if you want to capture local sounds. Harriette is a graduate of Central Saint Martins. Her work includes sound, writing, installation, drawing, performance, and photography.	Sunday 20 July 2025, from 2pm to 4pm. Thursday 31 July, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Meet at the Palmers Greenery Community Café before the event. Seating is available there. The café is located in the centre of the park, next to the tennis courts.

Look out for more free events throughout 2025.

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