Inventory Site Record

Willesden Sports Ground was originally named King Edward VII Recreation Ground, and had an outdoor gymnasium, cricket and football facilities, running track, refreshment pavilion and a popular open-air swimming pool with a 'filtration plant of the latest type'. The Sports Centre/Stadium continues to have a wide range of facilities.

Previous / Other name:

King Edward VII Recreation Ground

Site location:

Donnington Road, Willesden Green

Postcode:

NW10

What 3 Words:

facing.period.verbs

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Brent

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted (recreation ground)

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Car park, children's playground, picnic/quiet area, cricket and football pitches. Sports Centre/Stadium has swimming pool, tennis, badminton courts, gym.

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Willesden Green, Dollis Hill (Jubilee). London Overground/Tube (Bakerloo): Willesden Junction. London Overground: Kensal Rise then bus. Bus: 6, 52, 187, 206, 226, 302.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

09/06/2009

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.brent.gov.uk

Willesden UDC purchased 31 acres at Harlesden in 1909 for public open space, which opened as King Edward VII Recreation Ground by permission of the King to commemorate his accession. The emphasis of the new park was on 'playing organised games'. In 1923/24 the popular swimming pool was described in the Willesden Official Guide as differing from that in Gladstone Park (q.v.) since 'mixed bathing - which is becoming more popular and more general, and when conducted under proper conditions, more to be advocated, everywhere, in salt water and fresh - is permitted during certain times. It is almost superfluous to say that one of the rules for Mixed Bathing is that 'Regulation Swimming Costume must be worn.' The Sports Centre continues to have a wide range of facilities and has been refurbished since 2003, with re-landscaping also undertaken in the recreation ground.

Sources consulted:

Frederick Bingham, 'Official Guide to Willesden', 1923/24

Grid ref:

TQ228837 (522814,183738)

Size in hectares:

9.246

Site ownership:

LB Brent

Site management:

Parks Service

Date(s):

1909

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None