🤚🤚🤚I grew up going to Broomfield Park as a child. We adored the house with its eclectic musuem that included our favourite item; a glass bee hive by a window where we could watch the bees come and go. And a cafe at the back where my first choice treat was a blackcurrant split. I wish I could remember more about the interior of the house. Dark panels, polish and for some reason, exhibits connected to Alice in Wonderland come to mind. The fires and state of the building still make me sad.
I lived in Palmers Green as a child in the 60's (in Avondale Road, where I believe Stevie Smith also lived) and went to play in Broomfield Park regularly, especially as my gran lived in Burford Gardens, a short walk from the park. I remember there was a shallow pond in which children could sail their model boats - ah, innocent and happy days!
You're such a joy to read, Matt. It doesn't matter what the subject; your style of description and storytelling, replete with photos and maps, is a literary symphony of cerebral delight. I live across the pond and have never been to London or England, for that matter, but reading your posts is as good as being there, giving me as close to immediate an experience of whatever place or subject you choose, with your erudite treasure-trove of words and visual references. My honored hat is off to you. From an enchantedly enriched Across-the-Ponder
Thank you so much - that’s such a lovely thing to write. It’s especially good (and a bit surprising) to hear that my articles make sense to someone who hasn’t been to London. I sometimes worry that I get a bit niche!
I'd never even heard of it and now it's too late. Perhaps they'll rebuild it in crystal as a memorial to John Bromfylde?
Slightly off topic, but I'd be surprised if a landowner didn't have a surname well before 1500. Of course his ancestors might have been leathering away there for generations, unnoticed in the records.
I grew up having frequent visits to Broomfield Park. My greatest memory is of attending an art exhibition of local schools with my father. Not one but two of my paintings were on display - very much to my surprise, and his.
I like to think he was chuffed as I could never really paint well.
There was a beautiful fox in a glass case for years and it was the first thing you saw on entering; apart from the beehive on your left.
I lived in Southgate and we all valued Broomfield Park and the House.
I remember being in the mixed schools’ hurdles heats on the running track but it’s now gone. Memories just wiped out at a stroke but things move on I suppose.
We lived in Edmonton from 1983 to 1991 and then Southgate until 2008. I remember the fire. I was always hopeful that Broomfield House would be restored. Surely the covenants can be overturned. What’s the point of having a building sit and rot because an ancient document stated it can’t be used commercially or use private money! One day it will collapse and disappear and then what? We do have the beautiful Eltham Palace in London- a medieval hall and buildings and the fantastic art deco refurb
I remember the house from the 60s and the park was spectacular before Dutch elm disease killed the old trees. Upstairs was used as a baby/children’s clinic where children were weighed and they gave out rosehip syrup, There were paintings all up the stairs but like Cheryl I remember the beehive best. The rest of the museum was stuffed animals I think. It’s sad it was never properly renovated after the original fire- my parents always used to say the council wanted it demolished.
Perhaps the aliens on the mural are a reference to the film "*batteries not included" where some friendly aliens reconstruct a tenement block after it was demolished by dodgy developers?
🤚🤚🤚I grew up going to Broomfield Park as a child. We adored the house with its eclectic musuem that included our favourite item; a glass bee hive by a window where we could watch the bees come and go. And a cafe at the back where my first choice treat was a blackcurrant split. I wish I could remember more about the interior of the house. Dark panels, polish and for some reason, exhibits connected to Alice in Wonderland come to mind. The fires and state of the building still make me sad.
Thanks for your memories of the building, Cheryl. The glass beehive sounds like it’d have been enchanting for children.
I rather like 'embiggened'. 👍
A perfectly cromulent word
Great piece, Matt
Fascinating bit of history. I've not been to Palmer's Green either, but now you've given me a reason to!
Thanks Niall (and great to see you on Substack). Broomfield Park alone is worth a visit. It's gorgeous. But the wider area has many merits, too.
I lived in Palmers Green as a child in the 60's (in Avondale Road, where I believe Stevie Smith also lived) and went to play in Broomfield Park regularly, especially as my gran lived in Burford Gardens, a short walk from the park. I remember there was a shallow pond in which children could sail their model boats - ah, innocent and happy days!
The boat pond is still there - complete with model boats on a Sunday morning....
You're such a joy to read, Matt. It doesn't matter what the subject; your style of description and storytelling, replete with photos and maps, is a literary symphony of cerebral delight. I live across the pond and have never been to London or England, for that matter, but reading your posts is as good as being there, giving me as close to immediate an experience of whatever place or subject you choose, with your erudite treasure-trove of words and visual references. My honored hat is off to you. From an enchantedly enriched Across-the-Ponder
Thank you so much - that’s such a lovely thing to write. It’s especially good (and a bit surprising) to hear that my articles make sense to someone who hasn’t been to London. I sometimes worry that I get a bit niche!
I'd never even heard of it and now it's too late. Perhaps they'll rebuild it in crystal as a memorial to John Bromfylde?
Slightly off topic, but I'd be surprised if a landowner didn't have a surname well before 1500. Of course his ancestors might have been leathering away there for generations, unnoticed in the records.
Great article. It’s sad when old sites are beyond saving, but such pieces like this at least preserve the history for the rest of us.
I grew up having frequent visits to Broomfield Park. My greatest memory is of attending an art exhibition of local schools with my father. Not one but two of my paintings were on display - very much to my surprise, and his.
I like to think he was chuffed as I could never really paint well.
There was a beautiful fox in a glass case for years and it was the first thing you saw on entering; apart from the beehive on your left.
I lived in Southgate and we all valued Broomfield Park and the House.
I remember being in the mixed schools’ hurdles heats on the running track but it’s now gone. Memories just wiped out at a stroke but things move on I suppose.
We lived in Edmonton from 1983 to 1991 and then Southgate until 2008. I remember the fire. I was always hopeful that Broomfield House would be restored. Surely the covenants can be overturned. What’s the point of having a building sit and rot because an ancient document stated it can’t be used commercially or use private money! One day it will collapse and disappear and then what? We do have the beautiful Eltham Palace in London- a medieval hall and buildings and the fantastic art deco refurb
I remember the house from the 60s and the park was spectacular before Dutch elm disease killed the old trees. Upstairs was used as a baby/children’s clinic where children were weighed and they gave out rosehip syrup, There were paintings all up the stairs but like Cheryl I remember the beehive best. The rest of the museum was stuffed animals I think. It’s sad it was never properly renovated after the original fire- my parents always used to say the council wanted it demolished.
Thanks Penny. The elm avenue has been replaced by limes, which are now fairly mature.
Perhaps the aliens on the mural are a reference to the film "*batteries not included" where some friendly aliens reconstruct a tenement block after it was demolished by dodgy developers?
Funny how these things just go on fire....I must say, he owl in the Minerva painting is adorable. And using Medusa's head as a shield. Classy.
What a trip down memory lane? In the early 1950s I fell into the boating lake (it wasn't deep!). When I got home my Mother wasn't happy.
It's a shame is virtually gone. I am sure a lot of interesting history happened in it. I wish it could be repaired.
Fire is the great enemy of preservation.