National Lottery Open Week March 2026
Be a part of Finchley’s history by joining us at St Mary-at-Finchley for a fascinating heritage tour of our Grade II* listed church and churchyard! Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to see the oldest building in Finchley and our famous sundial, featured in a Turner painting and also on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow (at 22:27 minutes).
A quote from Philip Mould, famous art curator and presenter of “Fake or Fortune?”:“The Church and Churchyard Project at St. Mary at Finchley embodies a poignant reclamation of our shared heritage. The planned restoration of the Georgian Sundial, as depicted in the 1793 watercolour by JMW Turner, offers a remarkable opportunity to preserve a remarkably evocative and documented cultural artifact. Such projects are invaluable in keeping our past alive for future generations.”
We will be running free-of-charge tours of our church and churchyard at the following times:
- Saturday 7 March 10am and 2pm
- Sunday 8 March 2pm (Choral Evensong at 4pm)
- Monday 9 March 10am and 2pm
- Tuesday 10 March 10am and 2pm
- Wednesday 11 March 2pm
- Thursday 12 March 10am and 2pm
- Friday 13 March 10am and 2pm
- Saturday 14 March 10am and 2pm
- Sunday 15 March 2pm
Why not also sign up for our guided 6-mile circular Heritage Walk on Friday 13 March at 2pm to see some of the historic sites mentioned on the tour? Linked with the Capital Ring and Dollis Valley paths, these historic paths have been in use for hundreds of years. Soak up some history, get some exercise, celebrate our wonderful green spaces and enjoy drinks & nibbles from 4.30pm onwards, after the walk!