Description
Barnes remained a rather inaccessible village until the railway arrived in 1846. The village centre is marked by Barnes Green and Pond where there are a variety of mature trees. The leafy character of Barnes is enhanced by Barnes Common to the south, to which the Green is connected via a small bridge over Beverley Brook. The Green is traversed by paths, most of which are flanked by mature trees including horse chestnut, London plane, and there are a number of seats, particularly around the pond, which provides a good habitat for water birds.
Practical Information
| Site location | Church Road/Barnes High Street |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW13 9HE |
| What3Words | ///second.faces.diner |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Richmond |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Events | yes |
| Public Transport | Tube: Hammersmith (District, Hammersmith & City, Piccadilly) then bus. Rail: Barnes Bridge. Bus: 33, 485, 72 |
| Research Updated | 1 May 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Re-landscaping around the pond has taken place since 2001.
Barnes Football Club, founded c.1862, played on Barnes Green. The club's earliest recorded result was a 2-0 victory against against Richmond FC played at Barn Elms Park on 29 November 1862, with a return match played on Richmond Green (q.v.) in December that year. The club, under its captain Ebenezer Cobb Morley, was among the eleven founding clubs of the Football Association (FA) on 26 October 1863, the rules published in December that year. The first ever match under the new rules took place on 19 December 1863 between Barnes FC and Richmond FC. Club captain Ebenezer Morley was instrumental in the founding of the FA and its first Secretary, sometimes called one of the 'fathers' of modern football. Another of the first matches under the new FA rules took place between Barnes FC and N.N. Kilburn in Battersea Park (q.v.) in January 1864, leading to a 2-0 victory to N. N. Kilburn.
Barnes Football Club, founded c.1862, played on Barnes Green. The club's earliest recorded result was a 2-0 victory against against Richmond FC played at Barn Elms Park on 29 November 1862, with a return match played on Richmond Green (q.v.) in December that year. The club, under its captain Ebenezer Cobb Morley, was among the eleven founding clubs of the Football Association (FA) on 26 October 1863, the rules published in December that year. The first ever match under the new rules took place on 19 December 1863 between Barnes FC and Richmond FC. Club captain Ebenezer Morley was instrumental in the founding of the FA and its first Secretary, sometimes called one of the 'fathers' of modern football. Another of the first matches under the new FA rules took place between Barnes FC and N.N. Kilburn in Battersea Park (q.v.) in January 1864, leading to a 2-0 victory to N. N. Kilburn.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ219763 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 3.16 |
| Site Ownership | Church Commissioners |
| Site Management | LB Richmond, Environment Planning & Review, Parks and Open Spaces |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL61 with Barnes Common) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Richmond |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | CA |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance (pond) |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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
There has been a church in Barnes since medieval times, a small flint chapel pre-dating the present church of St Mary built in the C12th. The church was enlarged over the years but in 1978 it was gutted by fire and was rebuilt in 1982-84 although its C15th tower survived. Until the mid C19th the churchyard was probably the only consecrated ground in the parish; burials ceased when the churchyard was full and land for a cemetery was enclosed on Barnes Common. The church lych-gate was built for the coronation of Edward VII in 1903. The war memorial was unveiled by Field Marshall Earl Haig in 1921. During restoration of the church following the 1978 fire, the churchyard was neglected but in 1984 restoration of the garden began. A seasonal garden has been created with an emphasis on beauty of foliage and harmony of colour, choosing plants with Biblical associations.
Vine Road Recreation Ground was laid out in 1926 on a former orchard, sandwiched between railway lines. The park has a small timber pavilion with pitched roof and small central clock that overlooks an open bowling green, which is backed by hedging with seating around it on 3 sides. Beyond the bowling green the park is laid out as a recreation ground. An adventure playground opened here in July 1967. An area of ornamental planting is in front of the pavilion.
Barnes Common was used jointly by the people of Barnes and Putney until 1589 when a dispute arose and the people of Putney denied access. Until the area was drained in c.1880 the common was mainly marshland. It was almost entirely treeless, as shown on the OS of 1870 but today is largely woodland, coppice and heathland with some open areas of grass where cricket is played. Avenues and roadside planting took place in the late C19th. In the centre of the common is Mill Hill, an island of houses at the site of a former windmill.
