Inventory Site Record

Chiswick Common was part of the Bishop of London's Manor of Fulham and was rural until the mid C19th with large estates, farms and market gardens. Development took place after the railway arrived in the area in 1849, with Turnham Green Station opening in 1869. Bounded on its north side by the railway embankment, Chiswick Back Common is mainly grass, criss-crossed by paths, with sports facilities including tennis courts. Around the edges are mature trees, with beech hedging near the playground. At the east apex is a drinking fountain provided by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association in 1902.

Previous / Other name:

Chiswick Common

Site location:

Chiswick Common Road/ Turnham Green Terrace / Fisher's Lane

Postcode:

W4 1RZ

What 3 Words:

stroke.firms.duke

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Hounslow

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

7 tennis courts, playground equipment includes a multi-play area, three rockers and swings for under 5s, swings and multi-play area for the over 5s

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Turnham Green (District, Piccadilly). Bus: E3, 94

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

07/08/2023

Last minor changes:

07/08/2023

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

The park now provides a range of multi-play equipment and has 7 tennis courts which are used on a first come, first play basis (no booking facility). Playground equipment includes a multi-play area, three rockers and swings for the under 5’s and swings and a multi-play area for the over 5’s.

In 2019 Abundance London, in association with Friends of Chiswick Back Common, made improvements to the paved area at the edge of the common abutting Turnham Green Terrace, which had become degraded. New bike racks, custom-designed benches, a perennial flowering meadow of year-long interest and associated artwork have been installed. Abundance London is a voluntary organisation set up in 2010, dedicated to improve the Chiswick area and its bio-diversity. The group has planted orchards, hedgerows and trees, and aims to reconnect people with nature and to protect it in an urban setting through the creation of beautiful spaces, mainly through planting but also through art.

The granite drinking fountain at the east of the common on Turnham Green Terrace was provided by Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association in 1902, and erected at a cost of £20. In 2020 the drinking fountain was restored at a cost of £14,000 by London Stone Conservation through a collaboration between Hounslow Council, Heritage of London Trust, Thames Water and the Drinking Fountain Association. The spouts have been reconditioned and fresh drinking water is once again available. The top finial has been restored and the lettering round the plinth regilded.

Sources consulted:

David Pape, 'Nature Conservation in Hounslow' Ecology Handbook 15, London Ecology Unit, 1990; Abundance London: https://abundancelondon.com/; https://chiswickherald.co.uk/historic-turnham-green-drinking-fountain-brought-back-to-life-p11208-95.htm 

Grid ref:

TQ210787 (521039,178688)

Size in hectares:

3.49

Site ownership:

LB Hounslow

Site management:

CIP Parks and Open Spaces; Friends of Chiswick Back Common

Date(s):

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:

Yes: Common (CL47)

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:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Neighbourhood Park. Local Open Space

Chiswick Back Common, February 2018. Photograph Sally Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.