Description
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.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Walmer Road Recreation Ground |
|---|---|
| Site location | Walmer Road |
| Postcode | W11 |
| What3Words | ///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 |
| Public Transport | Tube: Latimer Road (Metropolitan) |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
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.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ241805 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.5341 |
| Site Ownership | RB Kensington & Chelsea |
| Site Management | Leisure Services, Parks & Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1892 |
| Designers | William Weaver, Borough Surveyor |
| 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 | Kensington & Chelsea |
| 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 |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Avondale Park Gardens is a private communal garden surrounded by two-storey brick terraces on three sides. The houses were built by the local council on the site of the former workhouse in 1919-22/3. The central garden has three mature plane trees at the entrance, trees, shrubs in grass, modern railings. It is protected under 1851 Garden Square Act.
The private communal gardens were provided for residents of St James's Square, which was built c.1847-51 as part of the Norland Estate. The estate originally comprised 52 acres attached to Norland House, and passed through a number of owners until 1839 when it was sold for development to William Kingdom. The sale of the estate was assigned to solicitor Charles Richardson who began by raising funds to lay 3 miles of sewers before building commenced. He donated the site for St James's Church in St James's Gardens. The gardens to the east and west of the church were simply laid out with central paths and perimeter trees.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson, although he remained involved until his death in 1852. Building started in the 1840s; the outer concentric crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased for a time for a racecourse, the Hippodrome, which operated from 1837-41. After Allason's death, artist and designer Thomas Allom was responsible for the next phase of development.
Part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson, although he remained involved until his death in 1852. Building started in the 1840s; the outer concentric crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased for a time for a racecourse, the Hippodrome, which operated from 1837-41. After Allason's death, artist and designer Thomas Allom was responsible for the next phase of development.