Description
The land was acquired under the auspices of the Middlesex County Council for public open space in 1936. Part of the ancient Grim's Dyke runs along the northern boundary of Saddlers Mead, an ancient monument dating from the Iron Age. Its purpose is unclear, but it may have marked a boundary or acted as a defence mechanism. The recreation ground is otherwise a somewhat featureless square of green surrounded by housing, with perimeter planting of trees and shrubs.
Practical Information
| Site location | Clonard Way, Hatch End |
|---|---|
| Postcode | HA5 |
| What3Words | ///wicked.shunts.fonts |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Harrow |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Children's play area, cricket square, football pitch, car park |
| Public Transport | London Overground: Hatch End. Bus: 350 (walk) |
| Research Updated | 1 January 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The park is home to Parkfield Sports Club and provides football and cricket facilities, used by Parkfield Football Club and Parkfield and Headstone Cricket Club respectively.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ133919 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 4.17 |
| Site Ownership | LB Harrow |
| Site Management | Environmental Services, Parks Services |
| Dates | 1936 |
| Listed Structures | Grim's Dyke: SAM |
| 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 | Harrow |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Open Space |
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
The Cedars is now public open space owned by the local authority but it was part of the former gardens and parkland of a now demolished C19th house once owned by Thomas Blackwell of the well-known Crosse & Blackwell food processing company. It retains a large number of very fine trees, including notable lime, many Lebanon cedars and Wellingtonias, several large oaks and yews, interspersed with laurel shrubberies, flowering shrubs and trees.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Grim's Dyke was built as a country mansion for Victorian painter Sir Frederick Goodall, and from 1890-1911 was the home of the librettist Sir William Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan. It was converted to a hotel in 1970. Formal gardens and woodland surround the house and the walled garden now houses the hotel annexe. The ornamental woodland contains a number of ponds and a lake with the remains of a boathouse and artificial rockwork.
Grim's Dyke was built as a country mansion for Victorian painter Sir Frederick Goodall, and from 1890-1911 was the home of the librettist Sir William Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan. It was converted to a hotel in 1970. Formal gardens and woodland surround the house and the walled garden now houses the hotel annexe. The ornamental woodland contains a number of ponds and a lake with the remains of a boathouse and artificial rockwork.
The site is a large area of farmland that comprises most of the original Pinner Park, which was first referred to in 1273. Part of the Manor of Harrow, it was owned by the Archbishops of Canterbury and used as a deer park. It was converted to farmland in the C16th. By early C20th parts were sold off, some for sports grounds but plans to develop the rest for housing was opposed and it was sold to Pinner Parish Council and Middlesex County Council for preservation as open space.