Inventory Site Record

Barra Hall Park was formerly the grounds of Barra Hall, a Jacobean-style mansion built in 1872 and originally called Grove Lodge. In 1923 Hayes and Harlington UDC acquired the site, using the mansion as its Town Hall. The grounds became a public park, for a time known as Town Hall Park. By 1928 the park had a cast iron bandstand, cast iron shelter together with other facilities. An open-air theatre in the park became derelict and in c.2005 was later by a modern theatre.

Previous / Other name:

Barra Hall Park; Grove Lodge

Site location:

Church Walk/Freemans Lane/Botwell Lane/Woodend Green Road, Hayes

Postcode:

UB3 2NH

What 3 Words:

sample.call.winter

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Hillingdon

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

tennis, playgrounds, basketball court; car park

Events:

Various events including music, drama and other entertainment.

Public transport:

Tube: Uxbridge (Piccadilly, Metropolitan) then bus. Rail: Hayes & Harlington then bus. Bus: 195, H98, U4

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/01/2011

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

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

Barra Hall Park adjoins the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin (q.v.) and was formerly the grounds of Barra Hall, a Jacobean-style mansion built in 1872 and originally called Grove Lodge. Alderman Harvey Coombe, later Lord Mayor of London, lived here in the late C18th. In 1871 Robert Reid purchased the house; an auctioneer and surveyor, he claimed to be a descendent of the Reids of Barra and consequently changed the name of the house to Barra Hall. He enlarged and refaced the building in 1875. After his death in 1921 his son sold the property to a foundation of nuns.

On 20 December 1923 Hayes and Harlington Urban District Council purchased Barra Hall and its grounds for £5,700 from Ethel Penfold, using the house as its Town Hall, the grounds becoming a public park. The ornamental iron gates on Church Walk still have the inscription 'Hayes and Harlington Town Hall'. Initially known as Town Hall Park, facilities included a playground, tennis courts and a paddling pool; it was opened on 23 February 1924 by Jessie Matthews, a well known star of the music hall . When Hayes UDC was integrated into the new LB Hillingdon in 1965, the old Town Hall was no longer required as such although it remained in council use. Since October 2005, following refurbishment, the house has been used as a SureStart Children's Centre.

Landscaping in the park includes a notable horse chestnut walk, remains of yew shrubbery with holm oak and cedar near Barra Hall, one or two good parkland trees, Scots pine, walnut and a number of oaks. A Rose Garden was created near the house, recently refurbished through the work of the Barra Hall Regeneration Committee and local residents, and is surrounded by low, scalloped brick walling with pergola entrances. There was a successful open-air theatre in the park but this later became disused and derelict. The Regeneration Committee had plans to restore it and it now been replaced with a modern theatre. Now renamed Barra Hall Community Development Committee, the group continues to conserve the park and its facilities, including the hall. The film 'Bend it Like Beckham' was filmed here.

Sources consulted:

Barra Hall Park 'Summer In the Park' 2001 programme, Barra Hall Regeneration Committee, 2001; LB Hillingdon, 'Hillingdon's Green Spaces' (c.2008); LB Hillingdon 'Barra Hall Park Management Plan 2008-2011'

Grid ref:

TQ094810 (509481,181048)

Size in hectares:

11.06

Site ownership:

LB Hillingdon

Site management:

Green Spaces Team; Barra Hall Community Development Committee

Date(s):

1872; 1920s

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: Barra Hall

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:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Hayes Village

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Borough II or Local Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

Yes

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None