Inventory Site Record

Whittington Park started life in 1954 as a small public open space of under 1 acre, but it was not officially opened until August 1973 by which time it had grown to c.6 acres. It was opened by the then Mayor of Islington, Cllr Harry Reid. Festivities included a play with over 300 children taking part, a barbecue for 500 people and a disco in the evening. A time capsule, to be opened in 50 years' time, August 2023, was buried with a message to be read by future Islingtonians. Since 1973, the park has been extended to over 10 acres and provides numerous sport and play facilities. Horticultural features include rose and shrub beds, woodland and a war memorial is set into the grass near the park's boundary with Holloway Road.

Site location:

Holloway Road

Postcode:

N19 4DJ

What 3 Words:

span.ruled.bottle

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Islington

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Children's playground, sand pits, water play feature; toilets; facilities for basketball, football, outdoor gym, table tennis, changing rooms

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Archway (Piccadilly). Rail: Upper Holloway. Bus: 17, 43, 271

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/06/2013

Last minor changes:

14/03/2025

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

Recent additions to the park include an RSPB trial meadow, new pond and ecology garden.

In 2009 conservationists launched a campaign to boost London's sparrow population, which had significantly declined as a result of deteriorating conditions such as traffic increase, paving over gardens and development over green space. In London the RSPB warned that sparrows were at risk of disappearing altogether, and set up a scheme working with other partners, funded by £170,000 from the SITA Trust. The 3-year scheme has led to the creation of meadows in areas of over 20 London parks, including Paradise Park, which have been sown to provide seed-rich habitats. Each site was to be managed using 3 different planting schemes of grass seed, wildflower meadow and wildlife seed mix, and it was hoped that butterflies and moths, as well as other birds and bats, would be encouraged. Partners in the scheme include Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, City of London, Royal Parks Agency, and Wandsworth, Islington and Southwark Councils.  In Islington other parks participating in the scheme were Laycock Street, Paradise Park and Highbury Fields.

Sources consulted:

'Streets with a Story: Islington'

Grid ref:

TQ298865 (529800,186430)

Size in hectares:

4.09

Site ownership:

LB Islington

Site management:

Greenspace; Friends of Whittington Park, Whittington Park Conservation Volunteers

Date(s):

1954; 1973

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 - Local Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None