Description
The Seven Kings area had developed rapidly after the Great Eastern Railway opened the station here. Originally called Seven Kings and Goodmayes Recreation Ground, the park was opened in 1902, laid out on land donated to the borough in 1900 by A. Cameron Corbett, who developed much of Ilford and later became Lord Rowallan. The house of Downshall Farm was demolished to make way for the park and the surrounding estate was developed c.1914. Among facilities provided in Seven Kings Park were an ornate bandstand and bowling green, both of which remain, together with formal planting in a symmetrical layout of beds, largely roses, some trees and shrubs.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Seven Kings and Goodmayes Recreation Ground |
|---|---|
| Site location | Aldborough Road South, Ilford, Essex |
| Postcode | IG3 |
| What3Words | ///safe.valid.joins |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Redbridge |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Daily 8am-dusk (check site owner for closing time); closed Christmas Day |
| Facilities | Basketball, bowling green (Seven Kings Bowling Club), children's play area, 3 cricket pitches, 3 football pitches, skate park, tennis courts, toilets |
| Public Transport | Tube: Newbury Park (Central). Rail: Seven Kings. Bus:364 (then walk) |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Seven Kings Park is a municipal park formed on the banks of the Seven Kings Water on 3.6 hectares of land donated to the borough in 1900 by A. Cameron Corbett, the Glasgow MP and developer, who developed much of Ilford, and later became Lord Rowallan. The park opened in 1902. The Seven Kings area developed quickly when the railway arrived and Great Eastern Railway opened the station. The house of Downshall Farm was demolished to make way for the park. The surrounding estate was developed c.1914. Seven Kings Park is a large flat park with walks lined with regular rows of ash, hawthorn and cherry (c.1930). Among facilities were a bandstand and bowling green, with formal planting consisting of a symmetrical layout of beds, largely roses, some trees and shrubs. The park today has notable robinia, birch, poplar and lime trees; rose garden; bowling green; pavilions and sport pitches. It is adjacent to Goodmayes Hospital (q.v.) and Ford's Sports Ground.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ459882 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 13.77 |
| Site Ownership | LB Redbridge |
| Site Management | Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure Ltd |
| Dates | 1902 |
| 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 | Redbridge |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | Yes |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Local Open Land. Strategic Footpaths and Horse rides |
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
Westwood Recreation Ground is a rolling parkland bisected by the canalised Kings Water, dammed at the centre of the park to form a small pond, with a bridge over the channel. Dating from c.1930s, the park is almost entirely surrounded by houses, with access from east and north through Gothic style gates and the area is surrounded by bare 2m high concrete slatted walls. There are notable C19th limes and planes in the north corner and scattered trees include holly, lime and ash. The children's playground is large and has landscaped mounds and a red metal bridge.
Goodmayes Hospital is the former West Ham Asylum, which was opened in 1901 by Cllr Abednigo Bishop, Mayor of West Ham Borough Council. Built on an eminence facing south, the Asylum gave views to Ilford and the building was lit by Ilford Council's Generating Station. The main hospital is surrounded on the east, south and west by a large heart-shaped terrace with a low brick perimeter wall and the approach is from the south-east in Barley Lane where there is a late C19th lodge, with iron screen and gates opening to the landscaped drive. The perimeter wall of the airing courts remains. A short horse chestnut avenue to the south of the main building dates from c.1900 and the grounds contain notable robinia, horse chestnut, holly and ash, with an understorey of rhododendron and holly in the gardens. Also within the hospital grounds are playing fields and the remains of a recreation ground adjacent to the Happy Valley, a wooded dell along the west side of the hospital ground near Aldborough Road.
Barley Lane Recreation Ground dates from the 1950s, and is home to Barley Bowls Club, which was established in 1957. The 1:2500 Ordnance Survey map of 1961 records the park laid out with a bowling green and pavilion, tennis courts, paths and planting, and provided with facilities such as public toilets. To the north of the recreation ground is Barley Lane Primary School, built in 1952 as part of the education facilities provided by the County Council.