Description
The land was originally part of the estate of Springfields House, probably so-called due to a natural spring arising nearby. The estate was sold in 1877 and part of the land built over. Acton UDC purchased this site in 1920 when carrying out a large sewage scheme and used it to deposit excavated material from 1920-33. The decision was then taken to turn the 'disgraceful patch of land' into ornamental public gardens, which were laid out and opened in 1935. Facilities for both old and young visitors were created, including an open-air theatre, although this was subsequently pulled down.
Practical Information
| Site location | Horn Lane/Rosemont Road/Creswick Road, Acton |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W3 |
| What3Words | ///bath.works.photo |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Ealing |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.30am - dusk |
| Facilities | Playground, dog area |
| Public Transport | Tube: Acton Town (Piccadilly, District) then bus. Rail: Acton then bus. Bus: 266, 207, 427 |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The site was originally part of the estate of Springfields House, probably so-called due to a natural spring arising in Rosemont Road nearby, that flows into Stamford Brook and eventually to the Thames at Hammersmith. Springfields House had stood on the opposite side of Horn Lane from the public park; the estate was sold in 1877 and part of the land built on. Land here was purchased by Acton Urban District Council in 1920 for £7,800, part of which was then sold on reducing the cost. The Council had purchased this when carrying out a large sewage scheme and needed a place to deposit excavated material, the portion of land adjacent to Horn Lane being some 8 ft below the level of the roadway and large amounts of excavated material was dumped here between 1920 and 1933. The decision was then taken to turn the 'disgraceful patch of land' into ornamental public gardens, somewhat controversially due to opposition by allotment holders on part of the land. There had been an earlier proposal for an 'open-air swimming bath, a sun bath and a coffee garden and social pleasance' but owners of the adjoining smart houses had foiled this.
Springfield Garden was opened to the public in June 1935 by the Mayor of Acton. The gardens were laid out at a cost of £3,561 with a contribution by the MCC of £1,439 on condition that no buildings apart from those associated with sports and recreation be erected. This condition was stipulated due to a proposal for part of the site to house a mortuary, coroner's court and fire station. At the opening event the new gardens had 'trim lawns, flower-beds, rockeries, meandering gravel paths and summer houses' and the main entrance on Horn Lane was 'pergola-decorated'. The intention was for the gardens to serve a double purpose and to be of benefit to both young and old visitors, with gardens for rest as well as facilities for active sports. Tennis courts, putting greens and bowling greens and a children's playground were provided and the park had a path 'in the form of a loop for gentle exercise'. An open-air theatre on the site was provided but subsequently pulled down. The park has no large trees, and planting consists of lawns, shrubs, trees and rose beds; there are good 1930s gates, stone gate piers and railings on Horn Lane. Springfield Gardens has been part of the new developments in Ealing Council's Liveability Fund.
Springfield Garden was opened to the public in June 1935 by the Mayor of Acton. The gardens were laid out at a cost of £3,561 with a contribution by the MCC of £1,439 on condition that no buildings apart from those associated with sports and recreation be erected. This condition was stipulated due to a proposal for part of the site to house a mortuary, coroner's court and fire station. At the opening event the new gardens had 'trim lawns, flower-beds, rockeries, meandering gravel paths and summer houses' and the main entrance on Horn Lane was 'pergola-decorated'. The intention was for the gardens to serve a double purpose and to be of benefit to both young and old visitors, with gardens for rest as well as facilities for active sports. Tennis courts, putting greens and bowling greens and a children's playground were provided and the park had a path 'in the form of a loop for gentle exercise'. An open-air theatre on the site was provided but subsequently pulled down. The park has no large trees, and planting consists of lawns, shrubs, trees and rose beds; there are good 1930s gates, stone gate piers and railings on Horn Lane. Springfield Gardens has been part of the new developments in Ealing Council's Liveability Fund.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ200805 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 2.24 |
| Site Ownership | LB Ealing |
| Site Management | Leisure & Parks Service |
| 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 | Ealing |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
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
Acton was part of the Manor of Fulham at the time of the Domesday Survey and a church had stood at the old centre of the village from at least 1228. An important stop on the London to Oxford coaching road, Acton developed into a market town and was later popular as a rural retreat. A larger parish church was erected in 1837 to serve the growing population, reconstructed in 1865-67. St Mary's Churchyard served as the main parish burial ground until 1863 when Churchfield Road Burial Ground was opened as a relief ground. It was used for burials under family rights until the 1920s, and contains some interesting monuments. In front of the church what was once the village green is now a pedestrian precinct.
St Mary's Burial Ground was established here in 1863 on 1 acre of land that was purchased by the Acton Vestry to provide additional burial land for the parish church of St Mary. The land had been part of a field called Conduit Close that had a number of springs, providing the village with water. By 1929 the cemetery was almost full. In 1979 it converted into a public garden laid out with a paved area, raised planters and seating along the Churchfield Road boundary. It was partly cleared, with headstones largely set against the perimeter walls although some remain scattered among the grass.
The Woodlands Park was created on part of the grounds of an C18th villa 'The Woodlands', which was purchased in 1903 by Acton UDC, largely for educational purposes, the remainder for a small public park. The existing layout of the grounds was retained in part, which had significant numbers of trees planted in belts and as specimen trees with a network of paths around the perimeter and through the shrubberies. There was a large circular pool on lower ground to the east and an ice-house. Municipal layout included retention of some paths, use of the ice-house as a gardener's hut but the pool eventually ceased retaining water and disappeared. A restoration project in 2006 enabled the ice-house to be restored and the round pool to be recreated.