Description
Parson's Green is an area of old commonland and was fenced off in the early C17th; at one time it was in two parts, a grazing pond for cattle in the south-east and the remainder public open space. Its name comes from the Rectory that once stood on the west of the green. It became well known as a rural retreat for urban gentry by the C18th, with a fine mansions built overlooking the green. The manorial rights over this and others commons in the area were acquired by the MBW 1881.
Practical Information
| Site location | Parson's Green/New King's Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW6 |
| What3Words | ///tribal.listed.movies |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Parsons Green (District). Bus: 22 |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
A hamlet in the manor of Fulham, Parson's Green takes its name from the Rectory of the parish of Fulham that stood on the west side of the village green and it may have referred to its use by the rector as a bowling green. Unlike more disreputable commons, Parson's Green was well known as a rural retreat for urban gentry by the C18th; according to Bowack, writing in 1705, it was inhabited 'mostly by Gentry and Persons of Quality'. It was noted for its clean, fresh air and consequently many aristocratic families built their homes here. Among the fine houses overlooking the Green were Peterborough House, built on the site of an earlier house called Brightwells; Richardson's House, so-called after the novelist Samuel Richardson who lived here, but which was once owned by Sir Edward Saunders, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1682; and the house of Sir Francis Child, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1699. Most of these mansions have disappeared, including the Rectory, which was demolished in 1882. An annual fair was held on the Green from the reign of William III until it was suppressed in 1823. The manorial rights over the common were acquired by the Metropolitan Board of Works, along with those of Eelbrook Common (q.v.) and Brook Green (q.v.) from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1881, under the Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act 1881. It is a triangular site, which at one time had a grazing pond used for local cattle in the south east corner but this has since vanished. There are London planes around the perimeter around the green and a lime walk crosses it. A drinking fountain has since disappeared.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ251764 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.37 |
| Site Ownership | LB Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Site Management | Environment Department, Parks Service (ground maintenance by Quadron Services) |
| Dates | 1881 |
| Designers | Local authority |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Nos. 11, 13, 15 Parson's Green; St Dionis Church. Local list (Buildings of Merit): St Dionis Church Hall and Vicarage, White Horse Public House, No 9 Parson's Green (Henniker House) |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL23) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Parsons Green |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeological Priority Area |
| Other LA Designation | Small 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
Lady Margaret School was established here in 1917. It comprises the former grounds of three historic houses, Belfield House, Elm House and Henniker House, which successively became part of the school. Belfield House, the original school building, and Elm House, added in 1937, are set back from the road and the school is fronted by shrubberies and mature trees behind a low brick wall with modern wrought iron railings. Henniker House was added in 1952. Behind the buildings is a courtyard garden with a central lawn surrounded by trees and shrubberies. There are several mature trees, in particular an old walnut tree, a kapuka tree, and a London plane tree in the hard games area. There are several shrubberies with a variety of shrubs and trees, and many potted plants, which enhance the facades of the newer buildings. With the construction of a new building in the grounds in 2010, a new pergola has been created and planted by this building.
The Vineyard is an early C17th 3-storey house with C18th alterations that is said to be on the site of a Tudor monastery. The Gatehouse, now No.76A, is the former stable to the house and is probably early C19th. Remains of an early C17th barn were discovered under part of the house. The garden with its high boundary wall is probably the largest private garden in the borough. In 1918 the house was purchased by Lord Beaverbrook, whose political career began as an MP in 1910 when he moved to Britain from Canada and who went on to become the first of the powerful press barons, influencing public opinion through his newspapers, the Daily and Sunday Express. Winston Churchill was a frequent visitor to The Vineyard, which remained in the ownership of the Beaverbrook family until the 1990s. The garden as laid out for Lord Beaverbrook has changed over time, while its overall shape is unchanged and some trees remain, although part of the front garden was lost when the road was widened in 1930.
Sulivan Court Estate is post-war housing built in 1949-56 for Fulham Borough Council on the site of the Hurlingham Club's No. 2 Polo Field. It is named for the Sulivan family, who were C19th local benefactors living at Broom House. Between the L-shaped blocks are many trees of a variety of species planted in extensive areas of grass. A road runs across the estate and the perimeter wall is of older bricks that may be the much reduced original wall. Sulivan School, to the north, also has a number of trees, and a nature garden.