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History of Finsbury Park
The park was originally a woodland area in the Manor or Prebend of Brownswood. It was part of a large expanse of woodland which was cleared in the nineteenth century. Londoners have been using the area as a recreation ground for much longer. In the mid eighteenth century a tea rooms had opened on the knoll of land on which Finsbury Park is situated. Londoners would travel out to escape the smoke of the capital, enjoy the remains of the old Hornsey Wood. Around 1800 the tea rooms were developed into a larger building which became known as the Hornsey Wood House/Tavern. A lake was also built on the top of the knoll with water pumped up from the nearby New River. The Hornsey Wood Tavern was destroyed in the process of making the area into a park, but the lake was enlarged.
In 1841 the people of Finsbury in the City of London petitioned for a park to alleviate conditions of the poor. Originally to be named Albert Park, the first plans were drawn up in 1850. Renamed Finsbury Park, the park opened in 1869. Finsbury park has always been a ‘people’s’ park with political demonstrations at the beginning of the 20th Century and in the last few decades it has been renowned for holding concerts, festivals and political rallies.
The area was heavily built in the second part of the 19th century where the middle classes moved in the area to be away from the pollution of the city but within an easy commute due to teh rail links and later tube lines.
Today, it is a vibrant place with a wide mix of people. Properties range from ex-council flats to Victorian garden terrace houses. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. Nearby Green lanes is well known for its many fruit and vegetable shops. The park has been recently regenerated with a 5 million pound lottery fund. With its excellent transport links, it is a more affordable area while still being close to the West End and Camden.
Places of interest
http://knowhere.co.uk/3689.html
http://www.information-britain.co.uk/towndetail.cfm?id=1199
http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/community_and_leisure/greenspaces/parks_and_open_spaces_parks_facilities/finsburypark.htm
• Finsbury Park • The Emirates Stadium
Transport Links – Visit Transport for London for more information
Finsbury Park – Picadilly and Victoria Lines
Manor House – Picadilly Line
Finsbury Park – Rail
Haringey – Rail
Haringey Green Lanes – Rail
Local Authority
Haringey – http://www.camden.gov.uk/
Camden – http://www.camden.gov.uk/
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