Inventory Site Record

West Harrow Recreation Ground dates from between the 2 world wars but is distinguished by its trees that predate the park layout. The area was predominantly rural before the arrival of the railway brought housing development. The Metropolitan Railway extended the line to Uxbridge in 1904 and West Harrow Station opened in November 1913, within two years recording some 43,000 passengers a month. As housing grew up the park was provided for the new residential population.

Site location:

The Ridgeway/Wilson Gardens, West Harrow

Postcode:

HA1

What 3 Words:

pitch.models.tree

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Harrow

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Children's play area, bowling green, tennis courts, cricket squares, basketball court, car park

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: West Harrow (Metropolitan). Bus: H11

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/01/2012

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.harrow.gov.uk; www.fwhp.btck.co.uk

St Peter's Church, West Harrow, was built in 1913 and by 1914 streets to the south of the railway line near West Harrow station had been laid out around, including Drury, Sumner, Colbeck, Lance and Butler Roads, with the area that would become the park remaining open space. By 1935 West Harrow Recreation Ground is shown on the OS map laid out with paths, shelter, toilets and other features. The entrance to the park is set back from the road, with two formally planted beds within. From here a straight walk runs east-west planted with horse chestnut and hawthorn with a central circle. To the north are several good older oaks in small clumps; otherwise the park has standard shrubs and flowering trees. Up until 1983 the western corner of the park had old lawn tennis courts but this has now been set aside as a nature area with a wild flower meadow. The bowling green is used by West Harrow Bowling Club, and a number of cricket teams use the recreation ground as their home ground. Friends of West Harrow Park was established by local residents to improve and look after the park.

Sources consulted:

Teresa Farino, Charlotte Pagendam, Sue Swales & Mathew Frith, 'Nature Conservation in Harrow', Ecology Handbook 13 (London Ecology Unit) 1989; Alan A Jackson, 'London's Metro-land' (Capital History, 2006)

Grid ref:

TQ140877 (514030,187750)

Size in hectares:

10.52

Site ownership:

LB Harrow

Site management:

Environmental Services, Parks Services; Friends of West Harrow Park

Date(s):

1920s or 30s

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:

Yes - small part (old tennis courts site)

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Open Space