A new sculptural Waylamp has been installed outside Barratt Redrow’s Colindale Gardens development in north west London as part of the Waylamps of Barnet: A Heritage Discovery Trail. This is a new public art and heritage project encouraging residents and visitors to discover the people, places and stories that make Barnet unique.
The project, created by award-winning landscape, art and architecture practice Wayward, in collaboration with Andre Kong Studio, has been shaped through shadow puppetry workshops, neighbourhood walks, conversations with residents and archive research. Community stories, memories and local myths have been woven into a series of playful public artworks celebrating Barnet’s rich and diverse heritage.
As one of four permanent Waylamps being installed across the borough, the Waylamp at Colindale Gardens is part of a wider heritage discovery trail stretching from Colindale to North Finchley and connected by the 125 bus route. The sustainable sculpture includes a bench, a map and directional signs, highlighting key locations along the trail and a solar panel powering the light, allowing it to become a feature of the neighbourhood during both the day and after dark.
Yolanda Jacob-Foster, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt London, said:
“Waylamps of Barnet is a brilliant way to encourage people to explore Barnet and discover the best the borough has to offer. To have the first Waylamp installed outside Colindale Gardens is an exciting development for us as well as current and future residents.
“It’s a fantastic example of how public art can connect people to their surroundings and engage with local heritage. This new landmark brings the past and present together, celebrating the heritage that has shaped the area while marking a new chapter for the neighbourhood and the people who now call it home. We’re proud to be part of Colindale’s story as it continues to evolve.”
Inspired by the themes of Light + Flight, each Waylamp transforms throughout the day. During daylight, the sculptures cast distinctive shadows across the surrounding pavements, while after dark they reveal another layer of storytelling through light, turning everyday streets into places of curiosity, imagination and discovery.
Cllr Anne Clarke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts, and Sport at Barnet Council, said:
“The Waylamps of Barnet were created with residents and rooted in local history, bringing together art, heritage and community in a way that is imaginative, welcoming and accessible to everyone. Our goal is that people of all ages will enjoy discovering something new about Barnet and the places they call home.”
Rather than following a single walking route, the heritage discovery trail invites people to explore Barnet in their own way. Each Waylamp acts as a starting point for discovering nearby landmarks, green spaces, cultural venues and overlooked local stories, encouraging residents to travel across the borough and experience familiar places from a different perspective.
Alongside the installations, Waylamps of Barnet: A Field Guide is available free online and in print from Barnet libraries along the route, including Colindale, Hendon, Finchley Church End and North Finchley, and selected community venues. More than a map, the guide combines heritage trails, local stories and creative activities, inviting people of all ages to observe, draw, explore and see Barnet through fresh eyes.
Waylamps of Barnet is part of Light + Flight, Barnet’s year-long cultural programme celebrating creativity, connection and belonging through art, heritage and community-led projects across the borough. Supported by a Cultural Impact Award, part of the Mayor of London’s London Borough of Culture programme, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, Light + Flight brings together artists, residents and local organisations to reveal Barnet’s hidden stories and create new opportunities for participation throughout 2026.
At Colindale Gardens, residents enjoy nine acres of green space, including an orchard garden and four-acre park with a woodland adventure gym, alongside 24-hour concierge service, residents-only gym, sauna and steam room and a community room. The local area benefits from new shops, cafes and restaurants for the community to enjoy. The development is positioned opposite Colindale Underground Station where the Northern line reaches King’s Cross St Pancras in 22 minutes. The development also includes plans for a new on-site primary school and offers close proximity to Middlesex University, ranked among the UK’s top young universities in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2025.
For more information about Colindale Gardens, visit www.colindalegardens.com.
Residents and visitors can explore the accompanying heritage discovery trail, download the free field guide, and discover more at lightandflight.co.uk.