Inventory Site Record

Ravenscroft Park was opened on 5 December 1990 by Dr David Bellamy. According to a plaque installed in the park, it was created 'for the people of Bethnal Green, with thanks to the Monument Trust and the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association for assistance with grants'. A community garden comprised of raised beds was created in 2015, gardened by children from nearby Columbia Primary School, together with parents and neighbours. Nearby is a circular mosaic set into the ground, relocated here from its former location in Brick Lane. It was originally created in the 1990s by artist Rachel Lichenstein with children from Thomas Buxton and St. Anne’s schools.

Site location:

Columbia Road, Bethnal Green

Postcode:

E2 7LP

What 3 Words:

little.honest.dwell

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Tower Hamlets

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Play area for over 5s; multi-use games area

Events:

Public transport:

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

26/07/2021

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

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

The park and nearby street are named after James Ravenscroft  who owned land here in 1670. In 1689 he bestowed the land to the trustees of Jesus Hospital in Chipping Barnet, Hertfordshire. However, development of the land did not take place until the 1820s prior to which it was leased by farmers. The first attempts to develop the charity's estate were beset with problems that included corruption, poor workmanship, haphazard construction on-site and a lack of supervision. The successful scheme dates from the 1860s after the Charity trustees, including its chairman Reverend T.H Elwin and solicitor James Quilter, were joined by Joseph Baxendale of Woodside in the Parish of Finchley and Richard Durant of High Canons in the Parish of Shenley. In 1862, Bishopsgate surveyor George Clarkson was appointed and the site was cleared of buildings before new roadways and drains were laid out, and 372 homes were built under his supervision. Ravenscroft Street and Barnet Grove remained as previously named, with 5 new roads named after the men who played a role in the new estate: Elwin Street, Quilter Street, Baxendale Street, Wimbolt Street and Durant Street.

Sources consulted:

Jesus Hospital Estate Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Guidelines, October 2007

Grid ref:

TQ338828 (533882,182877)

Size in hectares:

Site ownership:

LB Tower Hamlets

Site management:

Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1990

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:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Other LA designation:

None

Ravenscroft Park, May 2021. Photograph Sally Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.