Description
Greatfields Park opened in 1926 on a site aquired by Barking Borough Council in 1923/4. By 1935 its facilities included bandstands, lawn tennis courts, children's paddling pool, putting green and children's gymnasium, with areas of formal planting, trees and avenue of willows. Some of these features still exist.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Movers Lane Playing Field |
|---|---|
| Site location | Greatfields Road/Movers Lane, Barking |
| Postcode | IG11 |
| What3Words | ///mint.flat.bumpy |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Barking & Dagenham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.15am to dusk |
| Special Conditions | Charges for tennis |
| Facilities | Children's play area, 1 tennis court |
| Public Transport | London Overground/Rail/Tube (Hammersmith & City, District): Barking. Tube: Upney (District, Hammersmith & City). Bus: 173, 287, 368, 369, 387, 673, 687. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Barking Borough Council acquired the 5.6-hectare site adjoining Movers Lane in 1923/24, and the park was opened to the public in 1926 'tastefully laid out right in the midst of one of the Council's Housing Estates' (1931 Guide). In 1935 the park possessed 4 lawn tennis courts, a children's paddling pool, an 18 hole putting green and a children's gymnasium. There were bandstands, areas of formal planting, which still remain today, and a fine avenue of willows and other trees, including horse chestnut, with metal perimeter railings.
Although only one of the four tennis courts remains, the perimeter hedging for the four courts is still visible today as a low hedge (golden privet?). Today the paddling pool is disused and bandstands no longer in evidence, although there are a number of old park benches. Much of the formal planting is intact particularly rose beds, such as 6 part-circular beds around central hexagonal beds. The park has tarmac paths generally, but with some crazed flagstone paths around the perimeter. The impressive avenue of willows leading to an octagonal rose-planted raised bed remains and the park has numerous shrubs and a line of ?poplars. A community artwork, The Living Sculpture' received a national award in Spaces and Places magazine.
Although only one of the four tennis courts remains, the perimeter hedging for the four courts is still visible today as a low hedge (golden privet?). Today the paddling pool is disused and bandstands no longer in evidence, although there are a number of old park benches. Much of the formal planting is intact particularly rose beds, such as 6 part-circular beds around central hexagonal beds. The park has tarmac paths generally, but with some crazed flagstone paths around the perimeter. The impressive avenue of willows leading to an octagonal rose-planted raised bed remains and the park has numerous shrubs and a line of ?poplars. A community artwork, The Living Sculpture' received a national award in Spaces and Places magazine.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ450835 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 5.6 |
| Site Ownership | LB Barking & Dagenham |
| Site Management | Parks & Countryside Ranger Service |
| Dates | 1926 |
| Designers | ? Barking Borough Council |
| 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 | Barking & Dagenham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Protected Open Space; Schedule B Ssite |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Eastbury is an Elizabethan Manor House built as a country residence for a wealthy merchant. The Manor dates back to at least the C14th when it belonged to Barking Abbey. From the early C18th onwards the estate was divided and the house gradually became dilapidated, occupied by a succession of tenant farmers. In 1913/14 the estate was broken up for building development. The house and immediate grounds, now the focus of a residential square built in the 1920s, was purchased by the National Trust in 1918 and later leased to Barking Borough Council. In the C18th the gardens comprised a west walled garden and two small plots to north and west of the house, both probably once enclosed, and an orchard to the south. The garden to the east is enclosed by C18th and C19th brick walls. Many of the original features have been restored, including the walled garden, in which 'bee-boles' can be seen in the walls.
St Margaret's Church was founded in 1215 within the precincts of Barking Abbey; it may have been a chapel prior to becoming the parish church in c1300. The churchyard has remains of ancient stone wall abutting the Abbey ruins, and its main entrance is through the C14th Curfew Tower. There are numerous interesting tombs, headstones and monuments as well as fine plane and lime trees.
This is the site of Barking Abbey, which had been founded in 666 AD, restored by King Edgar in 970 AD, and eventually dissolved in 1539 by which time it was the greatest Benedictine nunnery in the country. In 1910 Barking Town UDC purchased the site to create an area for public recreation and during associated road works the Abbey foundations were discovered. The site was carefully excavated to reveal the ruined foundations. The Abbey Playing Field, incorporating the site of Barking Abbey, was opened as a public garden in 1913. There are plans for re-landscaping of the whole Abbey Green site including the Abbey Ruins, subject to full approvals in 2011.
