Long Lane Pasture (one hectare, 2.6 acres) is Finchley's best-kept secret - a meadow which has been undisturbed for centuries. Threatened by a housing development in 1999, the site was saved by volunteers and is now managed by a charitable trust.
The Pasture is at its best in mid-summer, when it is full of wildflowers. Beside an old ivy-covered wall, a long border is filled with flowering plants (lavender and buddleias in profusion) to attract butterflies, bees and moths.
Most of the Pasture is grassland, bordered by native trees and shrubs, which provide nesting sites and shelter for birds, a sanctuary for the resident fox family, and nectar for insects. There is a bird feeding station, popular with tits, robins and finches.
Grassy paths criss-cross the land, with one big circle of grass, favoured by grasshoppers, kept undisturbed. There is a large pond and several smaller ponds, which attract many dragonflies.
There are plenty of seats where visitors can rest a while, and a hard path leads to a seated area by the pond.
Trust Chairman: Ann Brown
