Description
Pimp Hall Park is on the former land of the C16th Pimps Hall, gardens and farm. In c.1270 it was part of a new manor created near the edge of the Royal Forest of Waltham consisting of 250 acres of farmland, woods, and hedgerows. The name derives from Reynold Pympe who was lord of the manor in 1500. The Hall was used as a working farm until 1934, when it was bought by Chingford Council and the site divided between allotments, a council-run nursery, and this small park, which is predominantly an open grassed space with fine views over Chingford.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Pimp Hall |
|---|---|
| Site location | Simmons Lane, Friday Hill |
| Postcode | E4 6JH |
| What3Words | ///rigid.care.mount |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Waltham Forest |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 9am - half hour before sunset |
| Special Conditions | no cycling, skateboarding |
| Facilities | Children's play area |
| Public Transport | Rail: Chingford; Highams Park then bus. Bus: 212, 444 |
| Research Updated | 1 May 2020 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
At various times it was known as the manor of Gowers and Buckerells, or the manor of Pimps, after different tenants. The name Pimp originates from Reynold Pympe who was lord of the manor in 1500. In 1538 it was owned by Sir George Monoux, one-time Lord Mayor of London and a major benefactor in the area responsible for founding a school and almshouses in Walthamstow village, next to St Mary’s Church (q.v.). He sold the estate to the King who soon after Monoux's death sold it into private hands once again. The timber-framed Hall was probably built at the end of the C16th and it was used as a working farm until 1934 when it was bought by Chingford Council and the site divided between allotments, a council-run nursery, and this small park which was laid out in 1934 as a recreation ground. The old Hall and outbuildings were sited in the area which became the nursery, which has recently become Pimp Hall Nature Reserve (q.v.). Pimp Hall Park has little planting aside from trees along part of its perimeter, and it is predominantly an open grassed space but with fine views over Chingford.
The park is now jointly managed by the Friends of Pimp Hall and Nature Reserve alongside The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and LB Waltham Forest. The play facilities were refurbished in 2015, with an Under 7s fenced play area and play equipment for older children that includes a large play frame and spinning net. In 2016 a wildflower meadow was planted near the boundary with the Nature Reserve.
Geological interest (London Foundations, 2010): Geomorphology. Hillock in the London Clay - fully grassed over but providing an excellent view of the surrounding area. Clay, silt, sand.(London Clay) gravel and till (Lowestoft Formation, Albion Glacigenic Group; Claygate Member)
The park is now jointly managed by the Friends of Pimp Hall and Nature Reserve alongside The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and LB Waltham Forest. The play facilities were refurbished in 2015, with an Under 7s fenced play area and play equipment for older children that includes a large play frame and spinning net. In 2016 a wildflower meadow was planted near the boundary with the Nature Reserve.
Geological interest (London Foundations, 2010): Geomorphology. Hillock in the London Clay - fully grassed over but providing an excellent view of the surrounding area. Clay, silt, sand.(London Clay) gravel and till (Lowestoft Formation, Albion Glacigenic Group; Claygate Member)
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ390936 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 2.85 |
| Site Ownership | LB Waltham Forest |
| Site Management | Urbaser Ltd as part of the Street Care and Associated Services contract with LB Waltham Forest; Friends of Pimp Hall Park |
| Dates | 1934 |
| 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 |
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
Friday Hill House stands on the site of the C16th manor house of the Chingford Earls with records going back to 1066, the estate at one time comprising 600 acres. The manor was owned by the Boothby family from 1608 to 1774 when it was bequeathed to Lydia Heathcote, half sister to Robert Boothby, remaining in that family's ownership until the 1930s. The garden was first recorded in 1631 with arbours, alleys, an orchard and a tree house. In 1838 the property was inherited by Revd Robert Boothby Heathcote who built the current house. The old moat dating from at least 1631 was included in the design of the garden. In 1940 the property was sold to the LCC and a housing estate built over much of the land. Nothing is left of the Victorian planting apart from a fine London plane tree and the residue of a woodland plantation to the east. The house became a community centre, its garden a large grassed area sheltered by boundary trees. In 2012 the property was put up for sale and the house eventually converted into private apartments and new housing built in the grounds as part of a gated development.
Pimp Hall Nature Reserve is on the former land of the C16th Pimps Hall, gardens and farm. In c.1270 it was part of a new manor created near the edge of the Royal Forest of Waltham consisting of 250 acres of farmland, woods, and hedgerows. The name derives from Reynold Pympe who was lord of the manor in 1500. The Hall was used as a working farm until 1934, when it was bought by Chingford Council and the site divided between allotments, a small park and a council-run nursery, the latter later established as Pimp Hall Nature Reserve. The nature reserve includes the C17th dovecote and has the former sites of the Hall and Barn marked out on the ground in gravel. The Learning Lodge was constructed near the entrance where community and educational activities are run by the Hornbeam.
The Roman Catholic Church was established in Chingford in 1914, and the Church of Our Lady of Grace and St Teresa of Avila was founded in 1919 although it was not until 1930/31 that the present church was built. A Gothic Revival style building designed by architect/builder G W Martyn, with the tower dating from 1956, the church is surrounded on two sides by a small garden with flower beds, shrubs and trees. The south porch is English oak with carvings by Don Potter (Porter?).
