Description
The land was formerly part of Read's Farm and was purchased from Edward Spencer Churchill by Wembley UDC in 1913 and laid out as a public park in memory of the late king and also in compensation for the loss of Wembley Park as public open space. King Edward VII Park was opened on 4 July 1914, reputedly by Queen Alexandra. The park had a lodge, a rustic bandstand and picturesque refreshment pavilion; a children's gymnasium with swings, a giant slide and see-saws, a shallow pond and a drinking fountain. There were facilities for tennis and bowling, and the lower part was laid out for cricket and hockey, separated by a belt of elms. There were gravelled walks and seating, formal planting and numerous beds with shrubs and trees.
Practical Information
| Site location | Park Lane/St John's Road, Wembley |
|---|---|
| Postcode | HA9 7RX |
| What3Words | ///saying.ears.entry |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Brent |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Tennis courts, playground, sports pitches, bowling green, children's playground |
| Public Transport | Rail/London Overground/Tube (Bakerloo): Wembley Central. Bus: 79, 204, 223, 297; 18, 83, 92, 182, 224, N18. |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2001 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Edwardian park on land that was formerly part of Read's Farm, purchased from the then owner Edward Spencer Churchill by Wembley Urban District Council in 1913 at a cost of £8,050, with a further £6,500 spent on its layout. The Builder had reported in 1910 that a park of 'more than 20 acres will shortly be dedicated to the public by Wembley UDC in memory of the late king', but a second purpose was to answer public protest at loss of Wembley Park as an open space. The park was opened on 4 July 1914 with the proceedings kicked off by the Wembley Town Band playing the National Anthem. It was apparently opened by Queen Alexandra although there is no mention of her in the official souvenir programme. The opening address was by Titus Barham, who when he died in 1937 left his land to the local people which is now Barham Park (q.v.).
The park was enclosed by 'unclimbable fences' - in the north a 'substantial Jarrah fence along the frontage of Park Lane, a Jarrah pale fence of attractive design with recessed main entrance gates to match', with wrought-iron fences to south and west. The lodge and other buildings were designed by the Council engineer and surveyor Cecil R W Chapman. A children's gymnasium was set up in the north east corner with swings, a giant slide and see-saws, a shallow pond and a drinking fountain. In the south-west were 3 tennis courts and a 6-rink bowling green as well as a tennis and bowls pavilion. A thatched bandstand of rustic design of larch and oak was erected in the centre of the park and a 'picturesque refreshment and cricket pavilion' were 'carefully designed to harmonise with the surroundings'. The lower part was laid out for cricket and hockey, separated by a 'noble belt of elms'. Gravelled footwalks and seating were provided and there were numerous beds planted with shrubs and trees.
The park retains its gates and railings at the top, where there are flower beds, grandiose terraces and steps, with brick piers having capitals and concrete urns. On the level ground to the west it is chiefly laid out for playing fields, with structural planting of Horse Chestnuts, Willows and Lombardy Poplars, and the later planting of flowering trees, cypress, shrubs etc., is fairly thin, but the whole excellently maintained. The bandstand was burned down in October 1963.
The park was enclosed by 'unclimbable fences' - in the north a 'substantial Jarrah fence along the frontage of Park Lane, a Jarrah pale fence of attractive design with recessed main entrance gates to match', with wrought-iron fences to south and west. The lodge and other buildings were designed by the Council engineer and surveyor Cecil R W Chapman. A children's gymnasium was set up in the north east corner with swings, a giant slide and see-saws, a shallow pond and a drinking fountain. In the south-west were 3 tennis courts and a 6-rink bowling green as well as a tennis and bowls pavilion. A thatched bandstand of rustic design of larch and oak was erected in the centre of the park and a 'picturesque refreshment and cricket pavilion' were 'carefully designed to harmonise with the surroundings'. The lower part was laid out for cricket and hockey, separated by a 'noble belt of elms'. Gravelled footwalks and seating were provided and there were numerous beds planted with shrubs and trees.
The park retains its gates and railings at the top, where there are flower beds, grandiose terraces and steps, with brick piers having capitals and concrete urns. On the level ground to the west it is chiefly laid out for playing fields, with structural planting of Horse Chestnuts, Willows and Lombardy Poplars, and the later planting of flowering trees, cypress, shrubs etc., is fairly thin, but the whole excellently maintained. The bandstand was burned down in October 1963.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ181855 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 10.5 |
| Site Ownership | LB Brent |
| Site Management | Parks Service |
| Dates | 1914 |
| Designers | Cecil R W Chapman, Borough Engineer and 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 | Brent |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Conservation Area Name | park's northern boundary abuts CA |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Public Open Space |
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
St John the Evangelist Church was built in 1846 when Wembley became a separate parish, largely at the instigation of the Copland sisters, who were influential local benefactors. In 1887 a new burial ground was opened adjacent to the churchyard, now called Wembley Old Burial Ground. The churchyard has cast iron railings and a picturesque lych-gate contemporary with the church, overhung by mature horse chestnut trees. There are numerous trees of a variety of species in the burial grounds, C19th monuments and a war memorial in the form of a grey granite cross of sacrifice. A war grave section commemorates those who died in both world wars.
St Joseph's Catholic Church on Wembley High Road was built after the Diocese of Westminster had purchased land here in 1899 for a Catholic cemetery, although this was later abandoned. The small cemetery in Waverley Avenue was established and some 200 burials took place. In 1901 a small chapel was rebuilt on part of the site and used as a cemetery chapel. In 1911 the Diocese sold the land except the cemetery and site of the old church. In 1957 a larger church was built on the site, set back from the road by a garden. The cemetery is closed and has no evidence of gravestones today, with one tablet to double bass virtuoso Domenico Dragonetti.
Barham Park was once grounds of the C18th Crab's House, which was acquired in 1801 by John Copland who built Sudbury Lodge (later called Barham Mansion) in c1850. By 1895 the estate was owned by Sir George Barham; it was inherited in 1913 by his son Titus, who spent much on its improvement. When he died in 1937 he left house and grounds to the citizens of Wembley, together with his private museum. The park today has formal gardens and more open parkland. There are remnants of earlier features such as garden balustrades of Barham Mansion, walls and ornamental gates, and part of Crab's House is now the library. Wembley and Brent Parks Nursery was here from 1950-1960s, its site now the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Garden, with the old nursery glasshouse as its focal point.
