Inventory Site Record

This area remained agricultural land well into the C20th. Spring Cottages are marked on C19th maps with much of the surrounding area, including the future site of Spring Farm Park, shown as fields. It is first marked as a recreation ground on the 1939 OS, following the footprint of the old field to a great extent, while having lost land along the eastern edge. It appears to have been simply laid out, with perimeter trees, few paths and a pavilion. During WWII the land was used for food production but in 1946 it was reinstated as a public park. From 1948 onwards recreational facilities were provided, including tennis courts, a paddling pool and putting green, and a water garden in 1953, apparently much appreciated by elderly visitors.

Site location:

MacLennan Avenue, Lambs Lane, Rainham

Postcode:

RM13

What 3 Words:

hungry.stage.towers

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Havering

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

closed at dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Car park, playground, football, tennis; cricket club

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Rainham. Bus: 165, 287

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Research updated:

01/09/2010

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

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

This area remained agricultural land well into the C20th. Spring Cottages are marked on C19th maps (OS 1867) with much of the surrounding area shown as fields, including the site of Spring Farm Park. It is first marked as a recreation ground on the 1939 OS, following the footprint of the old field to a great extent, while having lost land along the eastern edge. The OS Map of 1938 showed some house-building in the area, mainly ribbon development along Upminster Road and with Maclennan and Oreston Avenues marked, but fields to the south. The recreation ground had paths laid out leading from the Lambs Lane entrance in the north west corner along the south perimeter as far as a pavilion, and another path along the north perimeter as far as another small built structure. Trees are shown surrounding the park perimeter. During WWII the land here was used for food production but in 1946 it was reinstated as a public park.

In 1948 two tennis courts, a paddling pool and putting green were provided, the latter near the Lambs Lane entrance, with new paths laid out, 2 more tennis courts and playground equipment added between 1950 -1952. The entrance gates on MacLennan Avenue were installed by 1953 and a water garden was created in the south by 1954, described in the Superintendent of Parks and Cemeteries' Report of 1961 as 'a very attractive feature and is much appreciated by the old people who spend leisure hours on the seats provided here'. By 1960 the park was enclosed with fencing and extensive improvements had been carried out to its recreational facilities. The timber cricket pavilion that had burnt down in 1959 was replaced by a new one in 1961. By 1970, a line of Lombardy poplars and a shrubbery had been planted along the park's south west boundary to act as a windbreak. The park is adjacent to Rainham Jewish Cemetery (q.v.) on its eastern boundary.

Sources consulted:

Hornchurch UDC: Sydney Porter, Report on Parks and Recreation Grounds, September 1961; LB Havering Recreation and Amenities Brochure, 1970

Grid ref:

TQ537825 (553810,182380)

Size in hectares:

6.4

Site ownership:

LB Havering

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1930s

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:

Yes

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Thames Chase Community Forest

Other LA designation:

None