An historic estate once home to ink magnate Henry "Inky" Stephens, has received funding to ensure its future in Finchley for generations to come.

The Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery have awarded £101,000 for the restoration of the Avenue House estate in East End Road.

The money will be used to restore the grounds in which stands a Grade II listed mid-Victorian mansion, as well as outbuildings including stables, garages and a water tower.

Henry Charles Stephens bought Avenue House in 1874 after his father Dr Henry Stephens invented blue-black ink in 1832. He became known as Inky Stephens when he built a factory in Finchley and made his fortune manufacturing his father’s ink.

While living in Avenue House he instructed the leading garden designer of the time, Robert Marnock, to develop the grounds.

Andy Savage, chairman of the Avenue House Estate Trust, told the Times Series: “We have one of the last surviving gardens designed by Robert Marnock in London – they remain pretty much as they were apart from some badly overgrown trees. Part of Marnock’s vision was to create long vistas and with a bit of work we want to bring that back.”

Henry Stephens bequeathed Avenue House to the people of Finchley when he died in 1918. Since then it has been used as an RAF hospital and as the council’s offices during the Second World War.

Although still owned by Barnet Borough Council, the trust has a 125-year lease – during which it intends to uphold Henry Stephens’ intention for the estate to be enjoyed by people living in the area.

The Lottery money will also be used to redevelop the children’s play area, rockery and paths as well as bring the stables back into use by opening it up to the public as a café, and turning the disused garages into an education centre where people can learn about the estate’s history.

The trust also wants to renovate the water tower, which is currently on the English Heritage at Risk register.

Mr Savage said: “Ultimately we want to restore the gardens back to their heritage condition and make them more attractive so that more people want to use them.

“We then want to encourage more gardening apprentices and volunteers to get involved so that we can then maintain the grounds.

“I’m delighted we’ve got this funding. Two years ago we were on the brink of bankruptcy – now we are much more stable but we need to improve our infrastructure. In order to do this we want to improve the estate and take the Stephens legacy forward for future generations.”

The trust will apply for a full grant of nearly £2million in 2014 to complete the work.