Totteridge Tree Walk - visit London's oldest tree

A mindful walk among autumn trees to visit the 1000+ year old Totteridge Yew in St Andrews Churchyard. Meeting at Woodside Park tube station, Northern Line High Barnet Branch. Meet outside by the Abetta taxi cabs stand.

To register head to the eventbrite link Totteridge Tree Walk - visit London's oldest tree Tickets, Sat, Oct 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

This event is part of a research project. Residents or those working in North London (the Boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington or Waltham Forest) can receive a £20 voucher by filling in surveys to contribute to the research. 

More info...

We will be walking about 3.5km from the station through Darlands Nature reserve to the Totteridge Yew in Totteridge Village, which will take 45 mins to 1 hour. This follows a natural earth path, so can be uneven and get bit muddy. We will spend sometime at the Yew and hold activities.

At this point, which you can either catch the 251 bus to Totteridge and Whetstone Station, or walk back to Totteridge and Whetstone station (1.7km 20-25min walk along the pavement).

At Totteridge and Whetstone, you have the choice to catch the tube or complete the final section of the loop along the Whetstone Stray which follows the Dollis Valley (2km 25-30min walk), back to Woodside Station.

🌳🪦 What’s Happening:

Join us for a relaxing and seasonal walk among the autumn trees of the Darlands Nature Reserve to visit the famous Totteridge Yew in St Andrews Churchyard, Totteridge Village. When we get there, we'll guide you through some history of the tree and sensory exploration activities to feel grounded to nature.

It's notoriously difficult to date yews because of the way they hollow out as they age. The Totteridge Yew is the oldest tree in London, at least 1,000 years old, with some estimates putting it up to 2,000 years old. Either way, it's the oldest living thing inside the Greater London boundary, so it's pretty amazing you can just jump off the 251 bus and touch it.

It's a girthy, knobbly tree with vibrant green needles and a thick branching trunk. It's fit and healthy, unlike some ancient trees whose frail branches need permanent propping up. It overhangs two large white tombs. It's not fenced off, it's a proper part of the churchyard furniture.