Inventory Site Record

Inwood Park opened as Hounslow Recreation Ground in 1902, the first recreation ground in the area. A meeting of Heston & Isleworth UDC in March 1897 had agreed to provide a recreation ground in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee and the site of the new park was one of two suggested. Problems with purchasing the land delayed the park, and although it opened in 1902 it was only completed in 1905. There was ornamental beds and formal planting in the front half of the park and facilities for sports behind.

Previous / Other name:

Hounslow Recreation Ground

Site location:

Inwood Road/Inwood Avenue/Livingstone Road/Stanley Road, Hounslow

Postcode:

TW3

What 3 Words:

marble.shells.locker

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Hounslow

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

playground, football and sports pitches

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Hounslow East (Piccadilly) then bus. Rail: Hounslow then bus. Bus: 111

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Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/11/2005

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

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

The site was formerly meadowland abutting Inwood Road. The opening of the park was delayed due to some problems over the acquisition of the land, which comprised 5 acres from Mr J F Pownall and 5 acres from Isleworth Brewery Company. It was only partly completed at the inauguration, which took place to coincide with a children's fete on 26 June 1902, as a celebration of the coronation of Edward VII, the Jubilee now forgotten. It was planned to call the new park Coronation Park but this was then decided against when the King became ill and was instead named Hounslow Recreation Ground. The land purchase was not completed until September 1903; by July 1905 it was 'practically completed' by which time the c.5.5 hectares were divided into two roughly equal portions, laid out by Mr Abrams, the Parks Superintendent, using unskilled labour.

The front portion of the park had 'lawns, flower beds and ornamental walks', presenting 'a blaze of colour' from the large entrance gates on Inwood Road with the park superintendent's house surrounded by flowering beds and borders. Beyond were 'large beds laid out with double carnations, Shirley poppies, nasturtiums, sweet peas and mignonette, with borders of godetia and carki elegans - some of which present a very striking appearance. In front along the railings, the plants are mostly herbaceous and half hardy annuals. . . Under the trees are rustic shelters where old gentlemen read their papers secure from the heat of the sun and nursemaids and tired mothers do their knitting while they keep one eye on the romping children'.

The back portion of the park had a central line of elms under which it was proposed to lay a pathway, with a football ground on the left and cricket pitches on the right, as well as tennis courts. At that time a piece of ground to the left of the entrance was intended for a children's playground if funds allowed. In the summer of 1905 the park was well used with 400-500 daily visitors and the first band concert by Hounslow Town Band attracted some 1,000 people. However in 1907, problems with 'vagabonds and loafers' were reported in the local newspaper. By 1933 the park was described as having floral displays, a children's playground, rustic shelters, 6 grass tennis courts and a football pitch.

The park still has some of its original railings along the right side of the main entrance and some mature trees. The lodge appears to be a private residence and the park was later modernised and provided with a pond and tennis courts. There are plans for a nature area and for the disused tennis courts to be used fro a new theme garden.

Sources consulted:

Middlesex Chronicle 19 Jan 1901, 29 July 1905 p6; Heston Park opening programme, 1933

Grid ref:

TQ142755 (514344,175587)

Size in hectares:

5.5

Site ownership:

LB Hounslow

Site management:

John Laing Integrated Services; Friends Group

Date(s):

1902-5

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:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Borough Park. Local Open space