Description
The park is on land once a gravel pit and formerly part of the grounds of Redlees House. Around 5.8 hectares were acquired by Heston & Isleworth UDC and Redlees Park was officially opened in July 1932, on the same day two other local recreation grounds, Beaversfield and Heston Parks. In October it was one of the parks used as a venue for the Heston & Isleworth Charter Celebrations. Its original facilities included a children's playground, football pitches, a cricket table, bowling green, grass and hard tennis courts and an 18-hole putting green, and other facilities were planned when money was available.
Practical Information
| Site location | Twickenham Road,/Worton Road, Isleworth |
|---|---|
| Postcode | TW7 6DW |
| What3Words | ///league.squad.cake |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Hounslow |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Facilities | Children's playground, tennis courts, multi-sports courts, football pitches, bowling green, trim trail, car parks |
| Public Transport | Tube: Heathrow Central, Hounslow West (Piccadilly) then bus. Rail: Twickenham then bus. Bus: H20, 267, 481 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
In the early C19th Redlees House was known as Hippesley House and had grounds of nearly 7ha. It was purchased in 1852 by Charles Farnell, of the wealthy Farnell brewing family who owned Isleworth Brewery from 1800. It was later renamed Redlees House by William Farnell Watson. In the early C20th part of the land was used for tomato growing for which purpose 21 large glasshouses were erected, covering some 4 hectares in what is now the central and southern part of the public park. The former stable block adjacent to the park is now used as an Arts and Crafts Centre, with artists' studios and an art gallery. It has a fine clock made by Charles Frodsham & Co. of The Strand, probably installed between 1830-40. When the park opened its facilities included a children's playground, described in the opening speeches as 'one of the finest in the country', 3 football pitches, a cricket table, bowling green, 3 grass and 6 hard tennis courts and an 18-hole putting green. Further facilities were planned including a sports pavilion, refreshment room, bandstand, shelters and ornamental flower gardens when money became available.
In 1997 an area near the Twickenham Road entrance was planted as a vineyard on 2 allotment plots. It was created by weather presenter Hazel Murray and her partner Dominic, and included Vitus vinifera cultivars 'Riesling', 'Pinot Noir' and a red, 'Dunkelfelder'; their first crop was harvested in 1999 producing 20 bottles of 'Redlees Rosé' the following June. Redlees Park has recently been renovated with new railings, paths and a sensory garden, as well as tree planting. The park is now part of the larger complex of recreational facilities that includes a public library, indoor sports centre and swimming pool, art gallery and artists' studios in the old stable block, and an Under-5s play centre.
In 1997 an area near the Twickenham Road entrance was planted as a vineyard on 2 allotment plots. It was created by weather presenter Hazel Murray and her partner Dominic, and included Vitus vinifera cultivars 'Riesling', 'Pinot Noir' and a red, 'Dunkelfelder'; their first crop was harvested in 1999 producing 20 bottles of 'Redlees Rosé' the following June. Redlees Park has recently been renovated with new railings, paths and a sensory garden, as well as tree planting. The park is now part of the larger complex of recreational facilities that includes a public library, indoor sports centre and swimming pool, art gallery and artists' studios in the old stable block, and an Under-5s play centre.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ160755 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 6.34 |
| Site Ownership | LB Hounslow |
| Site Management | John Laing Integrated Services; Friends Group |
| Dates | C18, 1932; 1990s |
| Designers | William McDonald Campbell (to check) |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Stable block |
| 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 | Hounslow |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Isleworth Riverside |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Key Park |
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
Nazareth House Convent was formerly Isleworth House, which had been rebuilt in 1832 by Edward Blore for George III's chaplain, Sir William Cooper. The C18th owner of the estate had diverted Richmond Road so that it did not separate the house from the river. The garden led down to the river and the estate had its own burial ground. Purchased by the Sisters of Nazareth in 1892, it became their Convent and later an old people's home, but has been empty since 2002.
Silverhall Park is on part of the former Silver Hall estate. The name appears to have been used for the estate from the mid-C18th after its owner Mrs Oliver, nee Silver. The house was demolished in the early C19th and the estate sold piecemeal. A new house was built in 1813 on a site now occupied by the park. From 1880 - 1908 Silver Hall was occupied by Carmelite nuns who had moved here from Fulham Carmel. It was later a school but by the 1940s the house was derelict and it was demolished in the 1950s. Gates on North Street and the remains of the ice house are all that are left. A section of the C16th Duke of Northumberland's River runs through the park
The almshouses were built at the behest of the brewer John Farnell, owner of Isleworth Brewery, who also contributed funds towards building the adjacent church of St John the Baptist, vicarage and school, to serve the needs of the rapidly growing population of Isleworth. The site was provided by the Duke of Northumberland, and the architect for the church, John Deason, probably designed the almshouses. Farnell's Almshouses accommodated six men and six women in picturesque one-storey buildings ranged on three sides around a central garden. It is entered through a stone gateway, that has a plaque commemorating John Farnell. A bust of Farnell on a stone plinth is also found within a small pavilion in the garden.
