Dollis Brook

A footbridge over Dollis Brook in Windsor Open Space, Finchley 2009.

Dollis Brook in Brook Farm open space, Totteridge.

Dollis Brook, looking south from Totteridge Lane, taken about 9am, Thursday 13th, October, 2005.

Dollis Brook runs through the London Borough of Barnet in North London. It is a tributary of the River Brent, which is itself a tributary of the River Thames. The Dollis Valley Greenwalk follows almost all of Dollis Brook, apart from a short section at the beginning which passes through private land, and the London Loop follows it as far as Barnet Lane. The name Dollis is probably derived from the Middle English word 'dole', meaning the shares of land in the common field.

Upper Dollis Brook between Mill Hill and Woodside Park is a Local Nature Reserve, Borough Grade I,^[1] and Lower Dollis Brook between Woodside Park and Hendon (including Brent Park) is a Local Nature Reserve, Borough Grade II.^[2]

Dollis Brook rises on Moat Mount Open Space in Mill Hill,^[3] and then flows through private land under Hendon Wood Lane. Its course is eastwards through Totteridge Fields, a Site of Metropolitan Importance, and then through fields and open spaces to King George V Playing Fields in Totteridge.

The brook now turns southwards and forms the eastern boundary of Totteridge.^[4] It passes through Wyatts Farm Open Space and Brook Farm Open Space to Totteridge Lane near Totteridge and Whetstone tube station, and then continues south through Woodside Park (where it merges with Folly Brook) and West Finchley, before passing under the Dollis Brook Viaduct which carries the Northern Line between Finchley Central and Mill Hill East tube stations. Until 1965 Dollis Brook formed the boundary between the municipal boroughs of Finchley and Hendon.

Dollis Brook then passes under Dollis Road and through Windsor Open Space to the Great North Way (A1). Near Bridge Lane in Hendon it merges with Mutton Brook to form the River Brent.

Upper Dollis Brook is rich in aquatic plants, kingfishers, grey wagtails, and moorhens can be seen along the stream.^[1] The lower part is less ecologically rich, but nevertheless forms a valuable green corridor through suburban areas.^[2]

See also

• Nature reserves in Barnet

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Upper Dollis Brook, London Wildweb
2. ^ ^{a b} Lower Dollis Brook, London Wildweb
3. ^ See Dollis Valley Greenwalk for a more detailed description of its route.
4. ^ Totteridge, British History Online

Coordinates: 51°34′18″N 0°14′10″W / 51.5717°N 0.2361°W / 51.5717; -0.2361