Inventory Site Record

The Leys is an open area of grassland with trees, shrubs and the Wantz stream running through it. It was formerly meadowland of Leys Farm, and once part of the Manor of East Hall, which dated back to at least the C14th. The site was purchased by Dagenham UDC in 1928 to provide for public recreation and at one time had a fine open-air swimming pool, which opened in 1939. The filtration plant was destroyed in WWII in 1940 and the pool eventually closed.

Site location:

Ballards Road, Dagenham

Postcode:

RM10

What 3 Words:

wings.pirate.freed

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Barking & Dagenham

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Car parks, children's play area, football pitches, mini-soccer pitches

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Dagenham East or Dagenham Heathway (District) then bus. Bus: 145.

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Research updated:

01/02/2018

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk

In 1928 Dagenham Urban District Council purchased 69 acres under a Special Act of Parliament for the creation of Dagenham Park (q.v.) and The Leys, so-called after Leys Farm meadows on which it stood. The Leys open-air swimming pool, 165 ft by 75 ft and which boasted that 1,200 bathers could bathe in it, was opened on 29 July 1939 on a 3 acre site. It was designed by F C Lloyd at a cost of £30,000, and had a main pool 165ft x 50ft with a 15ft diving pit in the middle and three concrete diving boards, with a superior filtration plant capable of purifying the pool every 6 hours. It was damaged by enemy action in October 1940 and although it re-opened, it eventually closed after the 1969 summer season; the diving boards had been closed the year before because of their bad state of repair. Although estimates for long-term repairs were put together the pool never re-opened. It was filled in late 1969 although the changing rooms and springboard were not demolished until 1971. A new indoor pool was opened at Becontree Heath. Part of the site abutting Ballards Road is flat, open green space with some trees and shrubs, but beyond this is a wilder area of countryside on undulating ground through which runs the Wantz stream. In the far south, there is a children's play area.

Sources consulted:

James Howson 'A Brief History of Barking & Dagenham' (LBBD Libraries Dept, 6th ed 1990); Sue Curtis, Dagenham and Rainham Past, Phillimore, 2000; 'Lidos in London no longer open' compiled by Oliver Merrington and Andy Hoines with additional detail and photographs from Ian Gordon (website no longer available). Information about the closure of the outdoor pool provided by former local resident.

Grid ref:

TQ499839 (550035,183906)

Size in hectares:

15.43

Site ownership:

LB Barking & Dagenham

Site management:

Parks & Countryside Ranger Service

Date(s):

1928-1939

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

Green Belt:

Yes

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None

The Leys with the Wantz Stream, November 1999. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.