Description
Leyton Youth Centre is on the site of the former Essex Cricket Ground, established here in 1884. As the County Ground it was famous throughout the cricketing world for its wicket and for possessing one of the best 'middles'. It was also used for football in the 1890s. It became the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Sports Club and was known as the Lyttleton Ground from 1933-38. In 1938 the City Parochial Foundation purchased the site in order that it be leased to national organisations representing boys and girls clubs; a running track was laid out and a new gym erected next to the existing pavilion.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | The County Ground/Lyttleton Ground |
|---|---|
| Site location | High Road/Brewster Road, Leyton |
| Postcode | E10 |
| What3Words | ///hands.warns.depend |
| Type of Site | Private Open Land |
| Borough | Waltham Forest |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private sports ground |
| Public Transport | London Overground: Leyton Midland Road. Bus: 69, 97 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2003 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ379872 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 4.05 |
| Site Ownership | private |
| Listed Structures | LBII: former Essex County Cricket Pavilion |
| 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 | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| 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
The old parish was called Low Leyton before becoming known as Leyton, which meant a farm on the River Lea. The parish church of St Mary with St Edward Church was restored in 1995 but the oldest parts of the building date from the C17th, and one of the bells dates from c.1400. The church has an extensive graveyard in two sections, one surrounding the church, the other backing onto Leyton or John Smith's Almshouses. The well-known antiquarian John Strype (d.1737) was buried here, who re-edited and enlarged John Stow's 'Survey of London'.
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.
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.
