Description
Little Wormwood Scrubs is former common land originally part of Wormwood Scrubs that was cut off when the West London Railway was constructed in 1844. It has been managed as a park since 1886.
Practical Information
| Site location | Dalgarno Gardens |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW10 |
| What3Words | ///ridge.foam.cove |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.30am - dusk (but not much to stop 24hr access) |
| Public Transport | Tube: White City (Central). Bus: 220 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2004 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Little Wormwood Scrubs was acquired for a public park under the Metropolitan Board of Works Act 1886.The site was originally crossed by Counter's Creek, which formed the borough boundary. The development of land north of the park, most significantly the railway embankment, has resulted in the Creek drying up. In the 1930s the remnant of the stream had been converted into a series of small elongated ponds and the path of the stream is still traceable from the point where it entered at the north to almost the south of the park, except where it has been covered by a bank of spoil from the recent railway construction works associated with the Channel Tunnel.
There are a number of trees of various ages in the park, including mature oaks and a fine hybrid black poplar, and a small area of formal planting along Dalgarno Road. The north and west of the park are edged by railways. To the east is the red brick Sutton Estate and to the south there is turn-of-the-century housing. Since registration under the Commons Registration Act 1965, 0.328 hectares ceased to be common land in 1984.
There are a number of trees of various ages in the park, including mature oaks and a fine hybrid black poplar, and a small area of formal planting along Dalgarno Road. The north and west of the park are edged by railways. To the east is the red brick Sutton Estate and to the south there is turn-of-the-century housing. Since registration under the Commons Registration Act 1965, 0.328 hectares ceased to be common land in 1984.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ230820 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 8.81 |
| Site Ownership | LB Hammersmith & Fulham (part registered under the Land Registration Acts) |
| Site Management | RB Kensington & Chelsea |
| Dates | 1886 |
| Designers | Local authority |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL19) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Local Park; Open Space of Borough-wide Importance |
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
This stretch of the Grand Union Canal Towpath is the canalside walk along the 13.6 mile long Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal, which was constructed in 1800 in order to extend the Grand Junction Canal to central London. It has been planted with shrubs and wild flowers to enhance the ecology of the area.
St Quintin's Gardens was formerly a privately owned green space at the junction of three roads, laid out as part of the St Quintin Estate. In the early part of the C20th the garden was maintained by voluntary subscriptions from tenants of surrounding streets and an annual donation by the freeholder. It is now a triangular public garden with shaped beds set in the lawn with seasonal bedding plants, mature trees as well as those of more recent date.
The West London Bowling Club was founded in 1903, and opened its bowling green here in 1920. Bowling continued throughout WWII and the club celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1953. The green is surrounded by shrub planting and has a small pavilion. The green is surrounded by shrub planting and to the south is an area of garden. Now predominantly planted with roses, this consistently won prizes in the Kensington and Chelsea Gardens Competitions from 1968 and throughout the 1970s. In 1970 three Trophies were won and HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone visited the club and gardens. There is a small pavilion with roses and other planted areas. The bowling green is surrounded by suburban housing, and is a quiet oasis of green.
