Description
Stonebridge Recreation Ground opened to the public on 4 October 1902 on land that was part of the District Council's Sewage Farm. It was 'intended to be the nucleus of a far larger open space for the use of this crowded part of the parish'. By 1906 11 acres south of the sewage farm had been acquired and laid out for cricket, football and a playground, and in 1957 an open air theatre was built. In 2000 new gates designed by local children in memory of a Stonebridge community leader were erected, leading to a formal landscaped area with seats, circular paving, trees and beds.
Practical Information
| Site location | Hillside |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW10 |
| What3Words | ///closed.winks.gain |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Brent |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Sports facilities |
| Public Transport | London Overground/Tube (Bakerloo): Stonebridge Park. Bus: 18, PR2. |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Stonebridge Recreation Ground originally consisted of an area of c.4 acres, opened to the public on 4 October 1902 on land that was part of the District Council's Sewage Farm, which was 'intended to be the nucleus of a far larger open space for the use of this crowded part of the parish' (Willesden Local Guide, 1903). The sewage farm was no longer in use when London's sewers were built, and much of the land was developed for housing. To the north of the park is the railway line and the extensive London and North Western Railway sidings, which were constructed here between 1873 and 1894. By 1906 11 acres south of the sewage farm had been acquired by the Council and laid out for cricket and football and with a playground. Entertainments for children were provided and in 1957 an open air theatre was built for summer entertainments.
The park had been more extensive to the west, but was reduced in size when the houses of First Drive were built, formerly the location of tennis courts. National Lottery funding was provided to build The Pavilion, a new multi-purpose sports facility with an indoor hall, reception, changing rooms and floodlit sports pitches.
New gates designed by local children as part of a summer workshop were erected in memory of a Stonebridge community leader, Yetunde Bolaji, who had died in March 2000. Created as 'a lasting memory of Yetunde's passion for involving people in transforming their neighbourhood', the gates were opened by Paul Boateng MP in November 2000 and lead to a landscaped area with seats round a circular paved area and rose beds with some lavender behind.
The park had been more extensive to the west, but was reduced in size when the houses of First Drive were built, formerly the location of tennis courts. National Lottery funding was provided to build The Pavilion, a new multi-purpose sports facility with an indoor hall, reception, changing rooms and floodlit sports pitches.
New gates designed by local children as part of a summer workshop were erected in memory of a Stonebridge community leader, Yetunde Bolaji, who had died in March 2000. Created as 'a lasting memory of Yetunde's passion for involving people in transforming their neighbourhood', the gates were opened by Paul Boateng MP in November 2000 and lead to a landscaped area with seats round a circular paved area and rose beds with some lavender behind.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ203839 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Brent |
| Site Management | Parks Service |
| Dates | 1902; 1906 |
| 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 | Brent |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Public Open Space Wildlife Corridor (along railway line) |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
In 1904 the area here was mostly fields and Brentfield to the east was then known as Dog Lane. By 1935 the site was surrounded by housing development, but the Old Orchard is tucked away, accessed by a path between houses from Stonebridge Park. On the site are mature pear trees presumably from the former orchard, as well as birch and sycamore trees.
Brent River Park was created as part of the River Brent Restoration Project, and links two existing public open spaces on either side of the river Brent in Tokyngton,.Together with the acquisition of further land holdings to the north this now provides a linear park of c.2km. The area on the west of the river is Tokynton Recreation Ground, with St Raphael's Open Space on the east, both dating from the 1980s. Originally part of the land here was a sewage farm. The Brent River Park Project is part of a wider flood alleviation scheme; a partnership between LB Brent and the Environment Agency, the project aims to enhance employment, provide opportunities for recreation and improve safety and accessibility to the locality.
St Mary's Church and churchyard are lonely survivors of the old village, otherwise obliterated by development. Founded c.938, St Mary's is the oldest parish church in north-west London. It was famous as a place of pilgrimage from the C13th onwards for its image of the Virgin Mary. By the C19th the churchyard was full and in 1865 the newly established Willesden Burial Board purchased a 4-acre site, which became known as the 'new section', opening in 1868. Many well-known local people have been buried here although few pre-C19th gravestones remain. The churchyard is walled with some good horse chestnuts and lime trees. Large-scale development has taken place around the Old Burial Ground, and extensive repairs and new paths are also being created in both churchyard and burial ground.
