Guidance for Garden Visitors
1. Access
The gardens will be open from 08.00 until 18.00, 7 days a week, Access to the gardens is through all gates. The playground and fitness equipment are available and we would ask that all visitors observe social distancing. Staff and Volunteers will be on hand to offer advice. The gardens may be closed at any time in the case of emergency or if visitors are not adhering to the guidelines.
2. Toilets
TOILET FACILITIES IN THE STABLES ARE OPEN DURING CAFE OPENING HOURS
3. Dogs
In addition to the existing rules and bye laws regarding dogs, all dog owners are advised to keep their animal under close control at all times, if dogs are not kept under control the owner will be asked to put their dog on a lead or leave.
There will be staff on duty at all times that the gardens are open, staff will supported by volunteers. If you have any concerns you should make contact, at a safe distance, with staff on duty they will all be visible to you.
Picnics and Parties in the Gardens
Organised Picnics and Parties for groups of 10 or more are not permitted within the Gardens without prior permission. Picnics for small groups of less than 10 are permitted without prior permission. The limit for such events is a maximum of 20 persons, they should only take place on the middle and upper lawns, the use of any space is not exclusive and other visitors should not be restricted in any way from their enjoyment of the gardens.Events should not last longer than 2 hours. Applications should be made in writing to info@stephenshouseandgardens.com. A reasonable administrative donation of not less than £60 will apply, details on application.
Please note that the lower green and the terrace next to the house are not available for organised picnics and parties. The terrace can be hired in conjunction with rooms in the house.
Permitted Picnics and Parties, in line with the general regulations for the use of the gardens, should not use any glassware, fix anything to trees or into the ground, erect gazebos, tents or other structures, cook or barbecue any food, and be aware of the rules relating to the consumption of alcohol. The consumption of alcohol, other than that purchased on site, is not permitted anywhere on the estate. They should clear up their litter and take it away with them. Black bags left piled up by litter bins encourages the birds, squirrels or the foxes to make an awful mess that either our staff or our volunteers then have to clear up, which is not fair on them. We do not allow baloons or bunting as these are harmful to the environment
Please note that there are toilets available for public use within the Stables during the hours that the cafe is open to the public, toilets in the house are only available to those attending events within the house.
Foraging
Planting, removing, pruning or otherwise tending any plant is expressly forbidden
Dogs
Dogs are permitted in the grounds but their handlers must observe the following regulations.
1 Dogs must be under supervision and proper control, and must not cause a nuisance to other people or any creature.
2 Dogs must be kept on a fixed length lead (max 2 metres) on the paths surrounding the lower green and on the terrace. Long, extendable or retractable leads must not be used.
3 Dogs are not permitted on the lower green, in the children’s playground or in the pond.
4 The person in charge of a dog must immediately clear up any dog faeces, and deposit the waste in the special bins provided for that purpose. They must not use the ordinary litter bins.
Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Cafe and the House. All other dogs are not permitted.
Copies of Barnet Borough Bye Laws on Dogs can be downloaded from this page.
Cycling
Bicycles or similar non power-driven vehicles may be ridden on level metalled paths only, apart from: The west path from the Avenue Entrance to the Terrace entrance, including the terrace, and the south path from (and including) the terrace past the rear of the stables as far as the path entrance from the stable yard.
Please do not ride bicycles on lawns or through planted areas.
Electric/power driven scooters are not allowed in the Gardens (except mobility scooters and chairs)
Drones
The flying of drones is not permitted in the Gardens
Complaints and Incident Reporting
Public complaints
If a member of the public wishes to make a complaint, he or she should be directed to the Trust’s main office, where a complaints book is maintained.
The General Manager should review all complaints on his or her next working day after they are entered in the complaints book, should acknowledge them in writing or by email the same day, and should respond in full after investigation of the complaint.
Incident Reporting
The Trust is always grateful to know of any incidents within the house and gardens that may cause concern to our visitors.
Should you wish to report an incident or make a complaint please contact manager@stephenshouseandgardens.com
