Description
St James Park is on part of the former lands of Low Hall Manor, which was sold to Walthamstow Council by the Lord of the Manor in 1877. It was opened as a public park in 1910 and consists of a rectangle of grass with a children’s playground. The mature lime trees around the perimeter and forming a central avenue were planted in c.1920. The park is adjacent to a number of other facilities to the south-west that were also part of Low Hall Manor: Cheshire Fields allotments, Low Hall Sports Ground, formerly marshlands used for pasture by the Manor, and Low Hall Wood Nature Conservation Area (0.65ha), which has been developed into a woodland nature area by local volunteers.
Practical Information
| Site location | Essex Road, South Walthamstow |
|---|---|
| Postcode | E17 |
| What3Words | ///smile.outer.prone |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Waltham Forest |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 9am - half hour before sunset |
| Facilities | Under 5s, Under 7s and Under 12s play areas |
| Public Transport | London Overground: St James Street. Tube (Victoria): Blackhorse Road. Bus: 58, 158 |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2021 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Wooden 'boulders' found along the paths in St James Park lead visitors towards Low Hall Wood Nature Conservation Area, just outside the gates to Low Hall Sports Ground. Paths run through the woodland, leading to an area called The Clearing. This was created in 2018/2019 as part of Waltham Forest Council's Making Places project and was a collaboration between sculptor Owen Bullett and Smith & Newton Architects Ltd; the installation consists of a series of carved totem poles around a circular arrangement of wood boulders.It was officially opened on 20 January 2019.
The Friends of St James Park has been set up to look after the park, and runs various activities, including tree planting, clean-up projects as well as community and other events.
Beyond the park gates on Essex Road, and running under the railway line, is a small area of landscaping, Essex Road Pocket Park.
The Friends of St James Park has been set up to look after the park, and runs various activities, including tree planting, clean-up projects as well as community and other events.
Beyond the park gates on Essex Road, and running under the railway line, is a small area of landscaping, Essex Road Pocket Park.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ360882 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 3.63 |
| Site Ownership | LB Waltham Forest |
| Site Management | Urbaser Ltd as part of the Street Care & Associated Services contract with LB Waltham Forest; St James Residents Association; Friends of St James Park |
| Dates | 1910 |
| 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 | Waltham Forest |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
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