Description
Hanger Hill Park came into being as a result of negotiations between Ealing Borough Council and the owner of the land here, who sought permission for drainage works in advance of developing the land for housing. In 1905 the Council agreed to undertake these works in return for conveyance of a piece of land for a recreation ground. By 1907 the new park had railings and entrance gates and was laid out with paths, seats and shrubbery borders. One of the highest points in Ealing, the park has dramatic views and includes a fragment of oak woodland to the west. A pitch and putt course was set up on lower land to the north. To the west of the park across Fox Lane is now a Nature Reserve, a remnant of ancient woodland that was later part of the site of Fox Reservoir. The reservoir opened in 1888 and was eventually drained in 1943; in 1949 the land was purchased for public open space.
Practical Information
| Site location | Hanger Lane/Fox Lane/Hillcrest Road, Hanger Hill |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W5 |
| What3Words | ///town.shrimp.toxic |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Ealing |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Playground, pitch & putt course |
| Public Transport | Tube: Hanger Lane (Central). Bus: 83, 112, PR1 |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The area's name arises from 'Hangra', meaning a wooded slope in Old English. In November 1905 Ealing Town Council gave approval for expenditure of £4,600 for a sewage system and £4,400 for purchase of land at Hanger Hill. This was the result of an application made by the owner of the land for drainage works to be carried out to provide for the houses he wished to develop over his estate. The Council initially was not prepared to accede to this in advance of the houses being built, but then made a proposal that they would undertake these sewage works, costed at £9,000, in return for conveyance of a piece of land valued at £4,400 in order to create a recreation ground. One Councillor opposed the scheme on the grounds of upkeep costs, and also claiming another recreation ground was unnecessary since there were two parks in the borough 'either of which would hold the entire population of Ealing'. However, by 1907 the new park was fenced with iron railings and had entrance gates, paths formed, seats provided and shrubbery borders completed. The Council's review of 1907 reported that 'many people have taken advantage of the glorious view to be obtained from this, one of the highest points in Ealing'.
The park included a fragment of oak woodland to the west. It is a dramatic site with fine views; Leylandia are dotted over the slopes with some good horse chestnut and oaks on the grassland. There are ornamental shrubs along the walks, with holly, yew, berberis and magnolia in the central area where there is a modest hexagonal wooden shelter. The boundary today has post and rails to Hillcrest Road. A pitch and putt course was set up on lower land to the north.
Hanger Hill House, a late C18th house built for the Wood family, who owned large tracts of land in Ealing, was on the east of Hanger Lane; it was let to Sir Edward Montague Nelson from 1874-1901 and the grounds were then a golf course from 1901-1930, after which the site was sold and developed as Haymills Estate from 1933. Woodland opposite Hillcrest Road's junction with Hanger Lane may be a vestige of its grounds.
To the west of the park across Fox Lane is now a Nature Reserve, a remnant of ancient woodland that was later part of the site of Fox or Foxes Reservoir. When the reservoir opened in 1888 the site was closed to the public and the woodland allowed to grow undisturbed. Built for Grand Junction Waterworks and with a capacity of 50m gallons of water, Fox Reservoir was on the site of Mount Castle, said to have been an Elizabethan watch tower. It was named after Edwin G Fox, Chairman of the Grand Junction Waterworks Company who officiated at the opening ceremony. It was later taken over by the Metropolitan Water Board, established in 1902. The reservoir was drained in 1943 to prevent it being used as a navigational aid by nocturnal bombers in WWII, and in 1949 the land was purchased for public open space by Ealing Council; the present plateau was created when the remaining basin was filled in between 1969-72. Initially a flower-rich meadow, this was later used as playing fields in 1982. In 1983 the London Wildlife Trust was given permission to manage Fox Wood and the meadow as a site for conservation, and it was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1991.
The park included a fragment of oak woodland to the west. It is a dramatic site with fine views; Leylandia are dotted over the slopes with some good horse chestnut and oaks on the grassland. There are ornamental shrubs along the walks, with holly, yew, berberis and magnolia in the central area where there is a modest hexagonal wooden shelter. The boundary today has post and rails to Hillcrest Road. A pitch and putt course was set up on lower land to the north.
Hanger Hill House, a late C18th house built for the Wood family, who owned large tracts of land in Ealing, was on the east of Hanger Lane; it was let to Sir Edward Montague Nelson from 1874-1901 and the grounds were then a golf course from 1901-1930, after which the site was sold and developed as Haymills Estate from 1933. Woodland opposite Hillcrest Road's junction with Hanger Lane may be a vestige of its grounds.
To the west of the park across Fox Lane is now a Nature Reserve, a remnant of ancient woodland that was later part of the site of Fox or Foxes Reservoir. When the reservoir opened in 1888 the site was closed to the public and the woodland allowed to grow undisturbed. Built for Grand Junction Waterworks and with a capacity of 50m gallons of water, Fox Reservoir was on the site of Mount Castle, said to have been an Elizabethan watch tower. It was named after Edwin G Fox, Chairman of the Grand Junction Waterworks Company who officiated at the opening ceremony. It was later taken over by the Metropolitan Water Board, established in 1902. The reservoir was drained in 1943 to prevent it being used as a navigational aid by nocturnal bombers in WWII, and in 1949 the land was purchased for public open space by Ealing Council; the present plateau was created when the remaining basin was filled in between 1969-72. Initially a flower-rich meadow, this was later used as playing fields in 1982. In 1983 the London Wildlife Trust was given permission to manage Fox Wood and the meadow as a site for conservation, and it was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1991.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ183821 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 12.94 |
| Site Ownership | LB Ealing |
| Site Management | Leisure & Parks Service |
| Dates | 1907 |
| Designers | Charles Jones, 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 | Ealing |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Golf Course/Fox Lane Wood |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| 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
Brentham Garden Suburb was built from 1901-1915, a pioneering Arts and Crafts-inspired housing estate built on open country, formerly part of Pitshanger Farm estate. It was developed by Ealing Tenants Ltd, founded in 1901 as the first co-operative tenants society to provide improved housing for working people. The first chairman was Henry Vivian MP, whose co-operative building firm, General Builders Ltd. undertook much of the work. The first phase was completed by 1905, the earliest houses named after Vivian. In 1907 a further 30 acres had been purchased and the Ealing Tenants engaged Ray Unwin and Barry Parker, who were responsible for schemes including Hampstead Garden Suburb. The estate's garden aspect was created through low hedges and trees as well as playing fields and recreation grounds, particularly north of the Institute. A major feature was the provision of allotment gardens behind some of the larger groups of houses.
The land on which Hanger Hill Garden Estate was built was acquired in 1925, and had earlier been used as an aerodrome and for aircraft manufacture. The Mock-Tudor estate was built in 2 phases between 1928 and 1936 along Garden Suburb principles with houses and flats within a formal landscape setting. The layout comprised ornamental gardens, open spaces and street trees; each of the 18 blocks of flats was set in lawned gardens, and privet hedges enclosed front gardens with distinctive timber gates. The estate was in its heyday before WWII, but after 1954 maintenance of communal garden areas and service roads suffered until a company was set up by the Residents' Association that now owns and maintains the communal areas.
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