Description
The origins of St Chad's Park date from 1831 when 4 acres of Chadwell Heath were given to the Parish Council as allotments for the poor; a further 3 acres were set aside for public use in 1866 as part compensation to the parish when the Heath was enclosed. In 1928 the Council added 34 acres, formerly part of Blackbush Farm. In the 1930s the northern area was laid out as public open space, with the southern part containing tennis courts, putting green, formal planting and paths. An alley of plane trees lines the main path through the park. A new children's playground and a golf course were added in 1955 and a new bowling green inaugurated in May 1956.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Chadwell Heath |
|---|---|
| Site location | Japan Road, off High Road, Chadwell Heath |
| Postcode | RM6 6UB |
| What3Words | ///backed.logo.second |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Barking & Dagenham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.15am - dusk |
| Facilities | 2 children's play areas, football pitch, cricket table, 4 tennis courts, 2 bowling greens |
| Public Transport | Rail: Chadwell Heath. Bus: 62, 86, 173. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The roots of Chadwell Heath are pre-Christian - its symbol was the Kaadman or Goodman, a pagan deity representing 'the generative and conceptive principle of life and heat'. Christian priests later replaced the story of the old god with that of St Chad who has been described as 'a tireless Christian pioneer in the Essex area in Saxon times'.
St Chad's Park is located on a number of older sites: part of the land comprising the park was formerly Forest Field, which came into being after a license to fell ‘Tallents Grove' in Hainault Forest was issued in 1755. It also incorporates Tanteny (a corruption of St Anthony) Grove and Chadwell Common/Heath. St Chad's Park originated in 1831 when 4 acres of the ancient Chadwell Heath were granted by the Crown to the old Parish Council as allotments for the poor; a further 3 acres were set aside for public use in 1866 as part of the compensation to the parish when Chadwell Heath was enclosed. This area of the park is Registered Village Green. The Council added 34 acres by buying part of Blackbush Farm in 1928. Chadwell Heath developed rapidly as a residential area after World War I. In the 1930s the northern area of the park was laid out as public open space, with the southern part containing tennis courts, putting green, formal planting and paths. Additions to the park facilities accrued over the years, including the opening of a new children's playground in the south-west corner and new golf course in 1955; a new bowling green was inaugurated in May 1956. A photograph of 1952 records an Indian Bean Tree in the park. Playing fields, pavilion c.1960, bowling green and tennis courts. There is an alley of planes lining main path through the park, hedges.
St Chad's Park is located on a number of older sites: part of the land comprising the park was formerly Forest Field, which came into being after a license to fell ‘Tallents Grove' in Hainault Forest was issued in 1755. It also incorporates Tanteny (a corruption of St Anthony) Grove and Chadwell Common/Heath. St Chad's Park originated in 1831 when 4 acres of the ancient Chadwell Heath were granted by the Crown to the old Parish Council as allotments for the poor; a further 3 acres were set aside for public use in 1866 as part of the compensation to the parish when Chadwell Heath was enclosed. This area of the park is Registered Village Green. The Council added 34 acres by buying part of Blackbush Farm in 1928. Chadwell Heath developed rapidly as a residential area after World War I. In the 1930s the northern area of the park was laid out as public open space, with the southern part containing tennis courts, putting green, formal planting and paths. Additions to the park facilities accrued over the years, including the opening of a new children's playground in the south-west corner and new golf course in 1955; a new bowling green was inaugurated in May 1956. A photograph of 1952 records an Indian Bean Tree in the park. Playing fields, pavilion c.1960, bowling green and tennis courts. There is an alley of planes lining main path through the park, hedges.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ479882 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 14.24 |
| Site Ownership | LB Barking & Dagenham |
| Site Management | Parks & Countryside Ranger Service; Park Friends Group |
| Dates | 1930s |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Green (TVG76 - part of park) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Barking & Dagenham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Protected Open Space; Schedule B Site |
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
Little Heath Green is a triangular site, a remnant of the village green here, which dates back at least to the C14th. The pattern of roads today follows the original settlement pattern. Until 1909 there was a village pond on the Green, which is now surrounded by relatively recent trees. The houses around the green are generally 2-storey domestic buildings ranging from 200 years old to recent date. A timber signpost that was locally listed has since disappeared.
Chadwell Heath Cemetery opened in 1934, provided by Dagenham UDC, with the first burial recorded on 1 June. At that time the area either side of Whalebone Lane was rural and initially only the eastern part of the cemetery was laid out with paths, open land remaining to the west. From the entrance a short drive led to the Mortuary Chapel from where a formal layout of paths radiated, with yews planted along the 'spokes'. Further paths formed a semi-circle with the chapel on its eastern edge, the circle completed when the burial ground was extended to the west. The cemetery has been further extended, most recently to the north.
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.