Inventory Site Record

Avondale Park was laid out in in the 1890s by Kensington Borough Council on the former site of the main refuse dump and cesspool. The park opened to the public in 1892 and among the original facilities were a playground, shelter, entrance lodge and bandstand, the latter demolished in 1966. A grey granite drinking fountain was presented by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. In recent years a nature area has been created and there are ornamental bedding displays in some areas including around the Lodge.

Previous / Other name:

Walmer Road Recreation Ground

Site location:

Walmer Road

Postcode:

W11

What 3 Words:

nerve.pencil.curiosity

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Kensington & Chelsea

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

7.30am - dusk

Special conditions:

Fees for use of sports pitch (sports bookings 020 7602 2226)

Facilities:

Children’s play areas, small wildlife area, modern floodlit all-weather sports pitch, toilets, dog facilities, baby changing facilities

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Latimer Road (Metropolitan)

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/06/2010

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

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

Avondale Park was laid out in the 1890s when the 4.2 acre site was purchased for £16,245, with £9,613 from Kensington Borough Council, £4,250 from the London County Council and a further £2,382 raised by public subscription. It was on the former site of the main refuse dump and cesspool of the Potteries, known as the Ocean. William Weaver, Kensington Borough Council's Surveyor was responsible for layout and the general contractors for this park were Flew & Co. who supplied the bandstand, later demolished in 1966. The park opened to the public in 1892 and among its facilities were a playground, shelter and entrance lodge. A grey granite drinking fountain was presented by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. A nature area has been created and there are ornamental bedding displays in some areas including around the Lodge. Refurbishment works have taken place to improve paths and in 2010 the first stage of improvements saw the installation of a new playground part-funded by Family and Children's Services as part of the Play Pathfinder initiative. The new playground opened to the public on 31 March with facilities for both older and younger children.

Sources consulted:

BK Kensington Parks Archive; 'The London County Council and what it does for London: London Parks and Open Spaces' (Hodder & Stoughton, 1924)

Grid ref:

TQ241805 (524122,180583)

Size in hectares:

1.5341

Site ownership:

RB Kensington & Chelsea

Site management:

Leisure Services, Parks & Open Spaces

Date(s):

1892

Designer(s):

William Weaver, Borough Surveyor

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 (Wildlife Garden)

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None