Description
The land was bought in three phases by Wembley UDC in 1921, 1926 and 1938. The park now has numerous trees since its original appellation as One Tree Hill when it was a hill with a single tree, possibly an ash tree, since felled. It is a hilly park with good views towards Harrow on the Hill, Wembley Stadium and Barn Hill and towards central London. A line of black poplars follows the railway line and an avenue of Lombardy poplars crosses the park flanking a tarmac path. A wildlife area has been created in the southern part on a former allotments site.
Practical Information
| Site location | Norton Road/St James Gardens/Bridgewater Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | HA0 |
| What3Words | ///metro.hoping.jacket |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Brent |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Children's playground |
| Public Transport | Tube: Alperton (Piccadilly). Bus: 79, 83, 187, 224, 245, 297. |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ178841 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 10.5 |
| Site Ownership | LB Brent |
| Site Management | Parks Service |
| Dates | 1921 - 1938 |
| 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 |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance II - see note |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Nature Conservation: small area in south (0.9ha). 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
Alperton Cemetery was opened as Wembley Cemetery in 1917 and the first interment took place in 1918. The pair of chapels linked by a porte-cochère were built in 1937, a modest red brick building but having good stained glass in the burial chapel. The Columbarium was opened in the other chapel in 1942. The cemetery has paths laid out in a grid pattern, with a variety of trees throughout. There is a war grave section maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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.
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.
