Many folk are fascinated by the large swathes of delightful countryside so close to the metropolis and are keen to know its origins so here is a ‘very’ potted background which we hope you will find interesting. It is gleaned from many sources and apologies if you spot any mistakes.
A ‘very’ short history of Enfield Chase
A ‘Chase’ is a type of royal hunting forest and Enfield Chase is the only chase in London and the South East. Even in The Domesday Book in 1086 there is a rare reference to Enfield as a ‘park’ which was then the term for a game enclosure.
In 1676 it was noted that over the previous 700 years Enfield Chase had no inhabitants or habitations (other than three hunting lodges). It was greatly favoured as a royal hunting forest owned by the royal Duchy of Lancaster. Royalty seemed to have spent much of their time in hunting
Before 1777 the only road through the Chase was Enfield Road (Then called Merryhills Lane) Stebbyngs Brook (as Salmon’s Brook was called in Tudor times), was apparently crossed by an unsafe bridge and the whole area was a quagmire in winter. The area by the Merryhills Pub is still known as Frog’s Bottom
Elsyng Palace, nowadays, frequently shows itself.
This is due to the hard excavation work done by volunteers of The Enfield Archaeological Society every year as they uncover more and more of the foundations of this former large palace close to Forty Hall. They then have to re-cover their excavations after their work.
Elsyng Palace was demolished in 1656
but the fishponds remain and are still a popular fishing spot.
Henry V111 bought Elsyng Palace (which was expanded from a 15C manor house ) for its easy access to the hunting in Enfield Chase.
An historic survey showed that the southgate of the chase is where Southgate tube station is now situated.
After the division of The Chase in 1777 development initially was very limited with small-scale encroachment at Southgate and other settlements on the periphery.
Highlands Village was constructed on the sites of Highlands and South Lodge Hospitals which were on adjoining sites and prior to that Highlands Hospital was The Northern Isolation Hospital for tuberculosis.
In the 1930’s the Piccadilly line was opened with large scale suburban development taking place at Oakwood (formerly known as Enfield West) and Southgate and Cockfosters
In 1936/7 Middlesex County Council purchased around 4000 acres for inclusion in the Enfield Green Belt just in time to save the remnants of the Enfield Chase. This is now admirably protected by law and residents alike, and The Enfield Society. However it is under constant pressure for development
Further Reading: see the full digitalised eition of David Pam’s book: The Story of Enfield Chase, published by The Enfield Preservation Society in 1968 (Hard copies still available on line)
The whole scheme has much wider implications than is shown here. Hopefully this background will encourage readers to enjoy the beauty of the Enfield Chase and not allow any future inroads into this wonderful area. By enjoying it and preserving it we provide a wonderful legacy for future generations.
CLIMATE EMERGENCY MEASURES
Enfield Council has declared a climate emergency with a pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.
These first 100,000 new trees planted across 40.47 hectares of council-owned land in Enfield Chase. (this is equivalent to 61 football pitches) and will help to reduce the amount of the harmful greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. This woodland creation scheme will significantly increase the number of trees in the borough and alongside flood management features like ponds, wetlands and swales.
Swales are a means of stopping water runoff, especially from roads and hard surfaces, and putting it to use rather than having it drain away. They are effective at removing polluting suspended solids through filtration and sedimentation. The vegetation (much of which is painstakingly planted by the volunteers) traps organic and mineral particles that are then incorporated into the soil, while the vegetation takes up any nutrients.
The swales are maintained by removing sediment and debris from in and around the swale. Weeds and plants that do not belong are also removed. Obstruction or blockage of flow along inflow areas or pipes, including trash, debris, or sediment are carefuly checked
This enhances biodiversity and providing habitats for birds and other animals. As well as using natural processes and planting and rewilding to reduce risk of flooding, the new trees will stabilise the soils, preventing their erosion, with benefits felt as far away as the Olympic Park. The project also creates a series of mini-wetlands which will help prevent pollution from reaching the river.
This new woodland will enhance nature’s beauty for communities across Enfield as a place to enjoy for generations to come. It will be composed of mixed native species, predominantly broadleaf with some woody shrub, conifers and riparian species where appropriate.
(A tree identification/info guide will be added to our website shortly) A core of productive species will provide long-term sustainability. Species mix and layout will aim to look and feel natural – avoiding grid planting and softening edges with mixed species. Planting densities are varied with lower concentrations of planting in the vicinity of footpaths, other amenity spaces and woodland edges
Enfield Council’s Climate Action Plan envisages creating 140 hectares of new trees by 2025
The open character of the Salmons Brook valley will be retained by incorporating natural flood management features like ponds and wetlands, and allocating some areas of natural regeneration. During very dry periods some of these may dry out but rapidly refill over time.
The historic context of the area will be preserved and a brief history is attached here.
Key views will be identified and protected. Space for amenity features such as footpaths, glades and picnic areas will be incorporated.
The London Loop (“The 150 mile long “M25 for walkers” ) within Enfield has been upgraded to provide a more accessible path which can support wheeled traffic such as cyclists, prams and wheelchairs eventually connecting Trent Park to Forty Hall.
The help of Thames21 and Enfield Council mobilised communities, stakeholders and volunteers to help shape the new woodland and introduce jobs and training opportunities. The first phase of planting began in November 2020.
Volunteering Thames 21, working with Enfield Council and the team of loyal volunteers* created London’s largest woodland project with regular tree planting, tree maintenance and river restoration which is now well underway.
*The Friends of Enfield Chase group are currently undertaking varied management activities and volunteering residents are welcome to get involved.
