Avenue House

Built in 1859 on land formerly known as Temple Croft Field, it was acquired in 1874 by ink magnate and philanthropist Henry Charles Stephens ("Inky") who later enlarged and improved the house and grounds with advice from well-known landscape gardener Robert Marnock (1800–1889).

During Stephens' time in the house he purchased the adjoining ten-acre Temple Croft Field and the gardens were laid out to designs by Robert Marnock.

Stephens added a collection of rare trees which were included in the planting and form the basis of today's arboretum.

The house and grounds were left to Finchley Urban District Council by Stephens in his will in 1918, with a condition that they be always open for the use and enjoyment of the public, subject to reasonable regulation.

The house is now a meetings and events venue, while the gardens and arboretum remain open to the public free of charge.

The remaining funding came from the London Borough of Barnet, AHET itself (both in a financial contribution and by means of voluntary labour), and support from various individuals and other trusts, notably several Livery Companies.

The children's playground has been improved and enlarged and the old stable and garage blocks have been modernised to contain a visitor centre, public toilets and a cafe.

AHET subsequently leased the Bothy to psychotherapy charity Terapia, which has converted it into a training centre, which opened partially in October 2017.

The Bothy's walled garden is separately maintained by volunteers and has remained open to visitors every Friday and on the first Sunday of the month.

This was cast in bronze to a design of local sculptor John Somerville and erected by the stables block in the grounds of Avenue House.

The statue of Spike sitting on a bench was unveiled on 4 September 2014 at a ceremony attended by a number of local dignitaries and showbusiness celebrities including Roy Hudd, Michael Parkinson, Maureen Lipman, Terry Gilliam, Kathy Lette, Denis Norden and Lynsey de Paul.