Description
Knotts Green was a hamlet along the route between Snaresbrook and Leyton, previously called Low Leyton. The area was rural until it was developed in the C20th. The Green has long remained public open space and today, somewhat encroached, it consists of a strip of grass and some trees. A former resident of the hamlet in the 1880s was Mr Gurney Barclay whose gardens and grounds here were admired and were famous for the observatory he built.
Practical Information
| Site location | Knotts Green/Leyton Green Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | E10 |
| What3Words | ///branded.film.cattle |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Waltham Forest |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail/Tube (Victoria): Walthamstow Central. London Overground: Leyton Midland Road. Bus: 38, 48, 55, |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2003 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Joseph Gurney Barclay, FRAS (1816-98) was from a Quaker family and for many years he was head of Barclay's Bank. In c1854, he became interested in astronomy and later that year he set up an observatory at his home, Knott's Green House. In c1883, Edward Walford referred to the house 'surrounded by gardens and grounds which have attained a local celebrity, and which has become famous for its observatory.’ The Illustrated London News of 15 July 1865 shows the property captioned: 'Entertainment given by Mr Gurney Barclay, at Leytonstone, to the agents of the London City Mission.' The house later fell into disrepair and was demolished in the 1960s to make way for Livingstone College.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ380882 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.44 |
| Site Ownership | LB Waltham Forest |
| Site Management | Urbaser Ltd as part of the Street Care and Associated Services contract with LB Waltham Forest |
| 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 | Waltham Forest |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeological Priority Zone |
| Other LA Designation | Park |
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
Leyton Green is all that remains of the old village green. It is a largely grassed area with some trees, planted with spring bulbs; in c.2003 it was re-landscaped and provided with railings and seating.
The London Master Bakers' Pension and Almshouse Society was founded in 1832. The foundation stone for the new almshouses in Leyton was laid on 5 August 1857. At that time the surrounding area was a small village with a few smart villas belonging to London merchants. The almshouses were designed for the London Master Bakers Benevolent Institution by T E Knightleys, a large 3-sided building around a landscaped courtyard. Described as 'one of the grand almshouses of north-east London', the building has a number of plaques recording that electric light was brought to the almshouses in 1924 and that gas was installed in 1939. The almshouses remain in residential use and are now Council housing.
Abbotts Park was formerly called James Lane Recreation Ground, which was created on land purchased in 1885 by the Lammas land commoners and the local board to replace lost Lammas land. The park is a rectangular site between two streets of C19th houses, enclosed by C19th iron railings and planted with shrubs and trees around the perimeter. In 1934 it was recorded as having 6 hard tennis and 7 grass tennis courts, refreshments pavilion, ornamental gardens and a shelter. It remains much the same today with a central area of open grass, tennis courts and a C19th red-brick pavilion at the west end. It now has a miniature golf course and a number of children's playgrounds.
