Welcome

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This week we explore some quiet spaces to wander in Finchley, and hear about Women Guild's force of nature.

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Plus some good news for wifi on the tube. And Sasha's basil.

🌿 5 Quiet Retreats We Love

Need to escape the busy High Road for a breath of fresh air?

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You might be surprised by just how many tranquil corners Finchley has tucked away - often hiding in plain sight. These 5 under-the-radar green spots are made for taking a break:

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1: Long Lane Pasture.

Right behind the A406, but a world apart, Long Lane Pasture is a two-acre meadow managed by tireless local volunteers.

With wildflowers, ponds, and the gentle hum of bees, it’s the “secret garden” you’d expect to read about, not stumble into off Long Lane.

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2: Glebelands Local Nature Reserve.

This patch of ancient woodland and meadow - rumoured to have been a hideout for highwaymen - feels a lot more peaceful nowadays.

The hour-long trail takes you past ponds and wildflowers, with plenty of birdlife if you keep your eyes peeled.

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3: Finchley Way Open Space.

If you’ve never heard of this “secret garden”, you’re not alone.

Hidden off Nether Street, this wild green space was gifted to Finchley in 1939 and is quietly cared for by locals.

There’s a green field, a wooded copse, and even an old orchard. Perfect for a reflective wander or a low-key picnic.

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4: Dollis Brook Walk.

Parts of the Dollis Brook are busy with joggers and cyclists, but quieter stretches wind through Finchley with shady paths, wooden bridges, and pockets of stillness.

Pause for a while and you’ll spot everything from dragonflies to kingfishers. It’s a favourite for both nature fans and anyone wanting to avoid the crowds.

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5: Stephens House & Gardens.

Think lawns and tea rooms, but also hidden woodland trails and secret benches just right for a quiet read.

​Stephens House has tucked away corners that make it a lovely escape for solo moments with a good book or sketchpad.

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Next time the noise gets too much, try stepping into one of these lesser-known green havens. Finchley’s got a pocket of peace waiting - sometimes you just have to know where to look.. 🌿.🌿.🌿

Events

ARTS

Wednesday 16th July

​Infernal - A Bronte Story | Wed, Jul. 16 | 7:30 pm | Incognito Theatre, 06A Holly Park Road, Friern Barnet, N11 3HB | £11 | Incognito Theatre hosts Room One Theatre Company’s Infernal: A Brontë Story, written and directed by Harry Harding exploring Branwell Brontë’s troubled life. Returning with its original cast and new talent, the acclaimed drama runs this summer.

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COMMUNITY

Monday 14th July

​Talk - Your Money Your Way | Mon, Jul. 14 | 10:00 am to 1:30 pm | The Ann Owens Centre - Age UK Barnet Oak Lane N2 8LT | Free | A morning of talks and advice - giving you tips and strategies to manage your money in later life. Learn how to make a will and give power of attorney, how to spot a scam, and how to use the benefits calculator.

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Wednesday 16th July

​Talk - Why do we forget? by Professor Catherine Loveday | Wed, Jul. 16 | 6:45 pm to 8:00 pm | Age UK Barnet, The Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, East Finchley N2 8LT | Free | Why are some things are more memorable than others? Why can't we forget things we want to forget? How can we protect against forgetting what we really need to remember?

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KIDS

Monday 21st July

Fighting Fit Fencing - Kids Fencing Course | Mon, Jul. 21 | 9:30 pm to 4:00 pm | IND Est, Unit 1A Queens Rd, EN5 4DL | £99 | Fighting Fit Fencing based in Queens Rd (by the hospital) are running kids fencing courses. £99 for any 5 days between 21 July - 22 Aug. Open all year round, from aged 4+. | Email: Admin@fightingfitfencing.com​

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Saturday 26th July

​The “Bear” Child | Sat, Jul. 26 | 2:00 pm | 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA | £25 | The "Bear" Child Parent-Child Drama presents family life and growth humorously, sparking children's imagination and emotional understanding. This wordless parent-child show blends dance, mime, and comedy to portray everyday moments of laughter, rules, rebellion, and affection. A joyful 60-minute journey perfect for kids and parents alike.

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MUSIC

Friday 18th July

​Colindale Barnet Folk Club presents The Rambling Valentines | Fri, Jul. 18 | 7:45 pm | The Bull Theatre, Barnet, EN5 5SJ | £7.48 | A London-based trio of Bronwyn Ormsby (vocals), Glyn Hawke (guitars, vocals) and Trevor Hyett (banjo, mandola, mandocello) - blended harmonies and warm-toned acoustic instruments.

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SPORT

Friday 25th July

​Bootcamp fitness session | Fri, Jul. 25 | 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm | Exploratory Park Brent Cross Town 17 Claremont Way NW2 1AJ | Free Summer Bootcamp fitness sessions led by TOTA Health & Fitness in Exploratory Park. Designed to develop your strength, conditioning and mobility while having fun, these FREE sessions are suitable for all abilities will run for 5 weeks at Friday lunchtimes - move better and feel energised.

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SHOPPING

Saturday 19th July

​The legendary Boys Brigade Jumble Sale | Sat, Jul. 19 | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | Bush Hill Park United Reformed Church 25 Main Avenue Enfield EN1 1DJ | Free | Bargains galore all sorts of useful stuff - clothing, hardware, books, china, bric-brac... way too much stuff to list here, get yourself down and check it out!

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Sunday 20th July

​Impacting the Community: Brunch Delight Jumble Sale & Pop-Up Stand | Sun, Jul. 20 | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Open Heavens Christian Centre 194 Broadfields Avenue Edgware HA8 8TF | Free | Hosted by OHCC Edgware’s Women’s Ministry, this event raises funds to improve the children’s church, the Young Saints Ministry. This special event is designed to raise funds to buy infrastructure for the children in the church.

Events - Book Ahead

Friday 1st August

​Scottish Fish | Fri, Aug. 01 | 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm | Heath Street Baptist Church 84 Heath Street NW3 1DN | £16 | Scottish Fish present a fresh take on traditional and contemporary Scottish and Cape Breton music. After growing up steeped in the Boston Celtic music scene, these five young women began touring at an early age, quickly enchanting domestic and international audiences with their youthful enthusiasm, creative arrangements, and sensitive performances.

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Saturday 30th August

​Queens Park Book Festival - Zadie Smith & Nick Laird: Weirdo | Sat, Aug. 30 | 11:30 am to | Queen's Park Kingswood Avenue NW6 6SG | £5 | Join Zadie Smith and Nick Laird as they reveal their new book WEIRDO GOES WILD!

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Sunday 28th September

​Attack On Titan - Beyond The Walls World Tour | Sun, Sep. 28 | 8:00 pm | OVO Arena Wembley Arena Square HA9 0AA | TBA | Join this colossal celebration of music and anime! Epic “Attack on Titan” Concert Experience Set to Electrify Fans with Iconic Soundtrack and Immersive Visuals Fans of the globally renowned anime phenomenon “Attack on Titan” are in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Local Lowdown

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Surprising

• Star gathering. Highgate actor Adrian Dunbar hosted a surprise 80^th birthday party for artist Sean Scully, held near the legendary site of Boudicca’s tomb. The Hampstead Heath celebration featured poetry, storytelling, and music, marking the milestone with a unique cultural twist in a historic setting.

Reading

• Literary legends. Hampstead’s Sarum Hall School is buzzing with excitement as bestselling children’s authors Beth Lincoln and Eve Wersocki-Morris prepare to visit. With the expert guidance of librarian Tina Pritchard, the school library continues to inspire young readers and future storytellers.

Pizza-ing

• Top slice. Chiswick pizzeria Napoli on the Road has been named “Best Pizza in Europe (excluding Italy)” at the 50 Top Pizza awards. The restaurant impressed judges with its authentic Neapolitan style, fresh ingredients, and expertly crafted dough—cementing its status as a standout on the European food scene.

Tubing

• Northern upgrade. From this week, 5G mobile coverage is live in tunnels and stations along the Bank branch of the Northern Line, including Euston, Angel, Moorgate, and London Bridge. The rollout is part of a wider upgrade bringing high-speed connectivity to the entire Tube network by 2026.

Eating

• Vintage vibes. Just 25 minutes from Finchley, Oslo Court in St John’s Wood has been serving classic French-British cuisine in its iconic pink 1970s dining room for over 40 years. Beloved for its nostalgic charm and generous portions, the restaurant remains a north London institution.

The Finchleyite: Margaret Llewelyn Davies

​Margaret Llewelyn Davies was a force of nature. A brand new plaque now marks her former Hampstead home, thanks to the efforts of local societies and her descendants.

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From 1889 to 1921, Davies served as the Cooperative Women's Guild's general secretary.

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She transformed the Guild into a powerhouse for working-class women, pushing for suffrage, fair wages, maternity rights, and divorce law reform.

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A dedicated pacifist, Margaret counted Virginia Woolf among her friends.

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Woolf even wrote the introduction to her 1931 collection, Life as We Have Known It. ​

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Her legacy is still felt today. The plaque ceremony brought together her descendants, including great-great-niece Emma Dogliani, who channels Margaret's barrier-breaking spirit in her music work at Pentonville Prison.

Editors' Note - From Sasha

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In this remarkably hot weather I'm finding that I'm watering my basil plant a few times a day. But it's looking good on it... pesto incoming.

Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.

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You can now get a guaranteed (paid) listing for local events or local lowdown/news items.

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​And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

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Tessa Davis Sasha Frieze