Inventory Site Record

Parson’s Green is an area of old commonland and was fenced off in the early C17th; at one time it was in two parts, a grazing pond for cattle in the south-east and the remainder public open space. Its name comes from the Rectory that once stood on the west of the green. It became well known as a rural retreat for urban gentry by the C18th, with a fine mansions built overlooking the green. The manorial rights over this and others commons in the area were acquired by the MBW 1881.

Site location:

Parson's Green/New King's Road

Postcode:

SW6

What 3 Words:

tribal.listed.movies

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Hammersmith & Fulham

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Parsons Green (District). Bus: 22

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/09/2011

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

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

A hamlet in the manor of Fulham, Parson's Green takes its name from the Rectory of the parish of Fulham that stood on the west side of the village green and it may have referred to its use by the rector as a bowling green. Unlike more disreputable commons, Parson’s Green was well known as a rural retreat for urban gentry by the C18th; according to Bowack, writing in 1705, it was inhabited 'mostly by Gentry and Persons of Quality'. It was noted for its clean, fresh air and consequently many aristocratic families built their homes here. Among the fine houses overlooking the Green were Peterborough House, built on the site of an earlier house called Brightwells; Richardson's House, so-called after the novelist Samuel Richardson who lived here, but which was once owned by Sir Edward Saunders, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1682; and the house of Sir Francis Child, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1699. Most of these mansions have disappeared, including the Rectory, which was demolished in 1882. An annual fair was held on the Green from the reign of William III until it was suppressed in 1823. The manorial rights over the common were acquired by the Metropolitan Board of Works, along with those of Eelbrook Common (q.v.) and Brook Green (q.v.) from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1881, under the Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act 1881. It is a triangular site, which at one time had a grazing pond used for local cattle in the south east corner but this has since vanished. There are London planes around the perimeter around the green and a lime walk crosses it. A drinking fountain has since disappeared.

Sources consulted:

LB Hammersmith & Fulham Archives Dept, 'A note on the open spaces of Fulham and Hammersmith', 1974 p15; 'The London County Council and what it does for London: London Parks and Open Spaces' (Hodder & Stoughton, 1924); Barbara Denny 'Fulham Past' (Historical Publications), 1997; LB Hammersmith & Fulham 'Parsons Green Conservation Area Character Profile', 1999

Grid ref:

TQ251764 (525120,176460)

Size in hectares:

1.37

Site ownership:

LB Hammersmith & Fulham

Site management:

Environment Department, Parks Service (ground maintenance by Quadron Services)

Date(s):

1881

Designer(s):

Local authority

Listed structures:

LBII: Nos. 11, 13, 15 Parson's Green; St Dionis Church. Local list (Buildings of Merit): St Dionis Church Hall and Vicarage, White Horse Public House, No 9 Parson's Green (Henniker House)

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

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

Yes: Common (CL23)

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:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Parsons Green

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Archaeological Priority Area

Other LA designation:

Small Local Park; Open Space of Borough-wide Importance

Parson's Green - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 13/04/21 12:21

Click a photo to enlarge.