This is the second trail devised by Community Focus to appear on the 24 Hour Museum London City Heritage Guide.
Friern Barnet Lane
This part of Barnet was originally an area of dense forest with a network of paths and tracks that were linked to small clearings. The name Friern Barnet is derived from 'Fryern' or 'Freren' - the property belonging to the Friars - and Barnet - which signifies a 'burnt clearing in the forest'.
In the 12th Century this Lane was one part of the main route out of London, going towards St.Albans and the North and would have had large numbers of travellers, merchants and pilgrims pass along it. During the 16th Century it is thought that Queen Elizabeth I travelled along the Lane on many occasions.
Another person of historical repute associated with Friern Barnet is Sir Walter Raleigh. A relation of his once owned a local house and Inn - as well as land - and Raleigh may have spent some time in the area.
The Friern Barnet Trail begins near the northern end of the Lane with the Lawrence Campe Almshouses. Campe was a draper’s merchant in the City of London and founded these almshouses in 1612.
They were built to provide for 12 poor people - each of whom was to be given one shilling a month allowance. The building was damaged by fire in 1728 but repaired and further repair work had to be carried out during the 19th Century - although the building still retains a great deal of it's original appearance.
There are several tablets on the front of the building which show various heraldic devices or inspirational texts. One such tablet reads: 'Every morning before you feed - Come to this House and prayers read - Then you about your work may go - So God bless you and yours also.'
A little further along the Lane is the Queenswell Nursery School. This small school was built in 1853 to provide education for the poorer children of the area although one head teacher was dismissed for drunkenness in 1896 and a successor wrote of the unruly behaviour of the pupils.
It was later described as being a 'model village school'. The land upon which it stood was given by a local man, John Miles, and it was he who also paid for it's construction costs - this being £4,150.
Continuing along the Lane, but on the other side, one can see a small Gate House. This stands at the entrance to what was once Manor Farm - an estate owned by John Miles.
He had bought and rebuilt the original 17th/18th Century Farmhouse that stood here in 1861 and this small lodge at the entrance gate was probably lived in by his coachman. The farmhouse building is now home to the Middlesex Golf Club.
Further down the lane there is a small monument - erected in 1926 to mark the presence of what had been the local 'Pound' - that being an enclosure used to hold strayed livestock.
It also serves to mark the location of a well, which once provided water for travellers and local people and became known as Queen Elizabeth's Well.
Crossing to the other side of the lane brings one to St. James Church. St. James is the patron saint of pilgrims and many such travellers on their journey north towards St.Albans Abbey would have used Friern Barnet Lane.
The original church on this site was probably built during the late 12th Century but the present building was rebuilt in 1853 (again with the financial aid of the local landowner - John Miles).
Leaving the Churchyard, one crosses into Friary Park. This is now a public space but it was once privately owned land and its ownership changed hands many times throughout history.
At one stage Sir William Carey, an uncle of Sir Walter Raleigh, owned the land and it is possible that Raleigh himself may have lived here at some point. There was a Manor House standing here in the 16th Century and it was later 'refashioned' in 1797 before then being demolished. The house, which now stands in the Park, was erected in 1871.
A short distance beyond Friary House is the Peace Memorial. This was erected by Sidney Simmons - a local J.P. and Churchwarden of St. James.
He was also the founder of the Patent Steam Carpet Beating Company and perhaps it was his business success that allowed him to purchase Friary Park in 1909 and then donate it to the public the following year.
The memorial is dedicated to Edward VII - who was the first son of Queen Victoria's nine children.
Leaving Friary Park, one continues along the Lane and reaches the 'Orange Tree' Public House. On this site there was once a house owned by Sir William Carey (uncle of Walter Raleigh).
The house was granted a licence to also serve as an Inn in 1596 and it is said that Raleigh once gave his uncle an orange tree (brought from America) and this then gave the name to the house.
It is also suggested that Charles II and Nell Gwyn may have visited here. The existing building was erected in 1909.
Community Focus hopes that you have enjoyed this trail. The 'My Life-Our Heritage' project has devised several trails within the London Borough of Barnet and the group hope that other individuals or groups may avail themselves of the Heritage experience that they can provide.
Community Focus can offer guided walks or slide shows related to these trails and if you would like any further information about this - then please contact us at: 020 8346 9789.
All photography and pictures courtesy and copyright of Community Focus.
