Description
West Ham Lane Recreation Ground opened in stages between 1899 and 1912 as the Borough Council acquired parcels of land for its new park. The 1st section next to Whalebone Lane was once part of the grounds of a grand house that had belonged to the Archdeacon of Essex and the estate included land and houses on the west side of West Ham Lane. The freehold was sold to West Ham Council in 1899. The recreation ground was probably the last in the series of parks created in West Ham in the 1890s as part of an initiative to provide public open space as the area was developed for housing. The park was renamed Stratford Park in the late 1990s. A number of the early features remain, including its layout of paths, mature trees, park buildings such as toilets, park shelter, and ornamental fountain, although the bandstand no longer exists, a new performance structure erected on the site in recent years. Bedding displays continue to be a feature of the park.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | West Ham Lane Recreation Ground |
|---|---|
| Site location | West Ham Lane/Densham Road, Stratford |
| Postcode | E15 4PT |
| What3Words | ///fever.petty.suffice |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Newham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | dawn to dusk |
| Facilities | Children's play area, tennis, netball and basketball courts, paddling pool, bowling green, multi-use games court |
| Public Transport | London Overground/DLR/Rail/Tube (Central, Jubilee): Stratford. Bus: 69, 104, 238, 241, 262, 473. |
| Research Updated | 1 August 2008 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Until 1998/9 Stratford Park was known as West Ham Lane Recreation Ground, the land for which was acquired by West Ham Borough Council in four lots moving from north to south. It was laid out between 1899 and 1912, although the overall design was prepared in 1899. The park opened in stages from 1899 as work was completed, although prior to opening it was used for occasional events such as circuses and fairs. The section of the park that abuts Whalebone Lane was formerly part of the grounds of a grand house named 'Senables' or 'Sanables', which had belonged by rights of office to the Archdeacon of Essex from the C15th to C18th. By the second half of the C19th the house had gone but the estate was still in the possession of the Archdeacon, and included land and houses on the western side of West Ham Lane. The freehold was conveyed to West Ham Council in 1899. The Borough Survey was asked to submit plans and costs for railings, a bandstand, toilets, a gymnasium, 2 drinking fountains and a refreshment room, and work commenced in September when railings were erected and a dwarf wall built to the north. The 2nd parcel of land was purchased in 1902 and included Eastern Road and adjoining houses. The bandstand, playground, ornamental fountain, sand pit, concert facilities and paths were laid out soon afterwards. The final parcels of land were purchased to the south in 1912, and after 1916 tennis courts, bowling green and a pavilion were provided here, on the area later laid out as floodlit games areas.
The original layout of West Ham Lane Recreation Ground of 1899 has similarities with the earlier Canning Town Recreation Ground (q.v.), which was designed by the landscape gardener of the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (Fanny Wilkinson), and so it may have had the same designer. The layout was based around a broad central axis across the park in the middle of which was the bandstand in a circular paved area. A number of curving paths radiated from the bandstand, some of which remain, and a path flanked by trees ran around most of the perimeter of the park. The bandstand is no longer there but most of the trees that surrounded it remain and a central bed of conifers marked its position until 2004/5 when a new performance space was constructed. Just inside the main entrance was a single tier fountain in a raised pool, which has since been replaced by a three tier granite fountain in a pool at ground level, now restored and with modern cast iron railings around it. Paths radiate from the fountain, and the wide walkway leading to the bandstand site has flowering and evergreen shrubs and trees.
The early provision of a playground in the north corner and sports areas in the south, both screened by trees and shrubs, is reflected in the current provision in these locations with some extensions and a modern pavilion added to the north of the tennis courts. In later years the park was extended in the south-east corner, and in 1973 a scented Garden for the Blind was opened. A raised triangular area of amenity grassland with a few trees off Vicarage Lane, can be found in the south-east corner beyond the park railings and according to historic OS maps was created sometime after 1964 and before 1973 as a result of roadworks and new housing - this forms an extension to the park leading to a gate.
Restoration work was carried out in the 1990s when the park was renamed Stratford Park following public consultation. Near the eastern boundary a black-painted iron post commemorates the Carpenters Company, which had a school in Stratford from 1891-1905 and subsequently offered evening classes with a gym and swimming pool facilities, later existing as the Building Crafts College.
Improvements were made to the children's play area, paddling pool and the floodlit sports area, and an original park shelter was refurbished. The park is situated in a prominent position on West Ham Lane and there are clear views into the park from the main road. Parkside Gardening Project helps out 3 days a week at the park as part of Heritage Care Group's garden project for people with learning and physical disabilities.
The original layout of West Ham Lane Recreation Ground of 1899 has similarities with the earlier Canning Town Recreation Ground (q.v.), which was designed by the landscape gardener of the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (Fanny Wilkinson), and so it may have had the same designer. The layout was based around a broad central axis across the park in the middle of which was the bandstand in a circular paved area. A number of curving paths radiated from the bandstand, some of which remain, and a path flanked by trees ran around most of the perimeter of the park. The bandstand is no longer there but most of the trees that surrounded it remain and a central bed of conifers marked its position until 2004/5 when a new performance space was constructed. Just inside the main entrance was a single tier fountain in a raised pool, which has since been replaced by a three tier granite fountain in a pool at ground level, now restored and with modern cast iron railings around it. Paths radiate from the fountain, and the wide walkway leading to the bandstand site has flowering and evergreen shrubs and trees.
The early provision of a playground in the north corner and sports areas in the south, both screened by trees and shrubs, is reflected in the current provision in these locations with some extensions and a modern pavilion added to the north of the tennis courts. In later years the park was extended in the south-east corner, and in 1973 a scented Garden for the Blind was opened. A raised triangular area of amenity grassland with a few trees off Vicarage Lane, can be found in the south-east corner beyond the park railings and according to historic OS maps was created sometime after 1964 and before 1973 as a result of roadworks and new housing - this forms an extension to the park leading to a gate.
Restoration work was carried out in the 1990s when the park was renamed Stratford Park following public consultation. Near the eastern boundary a black-painted iron post commemorates the Carpenters Company, which had a school in Stratford from 1891-1905 and subsequently offered evening classes with a gym and swimming pool facilities, later existing as the Building Crafts College.
Improvements were made to the children's play area, paddling pool and the floodlit sports area, and an original park shelter was refurbished. The park is situated in a prominent position on West Ham Lane and there are clear views into the park from the main road. Parkside Gardening Project helps out 3 days a week at the park as part of Heritage Care Group's garden project for people with learning and physical disabilities.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ392840 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 4.34 |
| Site Ownership | LB Newham |
| Site Management | Parks Service; Parkside Gardening Project |
| Dates | 1899 - 1912 |
| Designers | West Ham Borough Surveyor, possibly with input from MPGA landscape gardener |
| 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 | Newham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Green Space to be Protected |
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
All Saints West Ham parish churchyard dates back to the early Middle Ages. Stratford Langthorne Abbey was founded here in 1135 and became one of the richest in the country, in time owning much of West Ham, including the parish church, until the Dissolution of the Monasteries of 1538. The churchyard is now largely grass, intersected by paths with avenues of London plane and lime trees. The gravestones and chest-tombs that remain are largely concentrated on mounds near the covered entranceway on the south side of the church.
St John the Evangelist was established at Stratford when the old parish of West Ham had grown as a result of development in the area. The site for the new church was the village green, and the architect's plans included vaults beneath the church and a large graveyard. In 1878 the Martyrs' Memorial was erected in the churchyard, commemorating 18 Protestants burnt at the stake at Stratford in 1556. The churchyard was converted to lawns between 1958-78 although some tombs remain on the south side of the church In the 1980s the church exterior was cleaned and cast-ion railings were reinstated around the churchyard. The church still forms a focal point in the centre of the busy road system, now close to the London 2012 Olympic Park.
Abbey Gardens is a community garden built on the site of a row of cottages, once the site of the C12th Stratford Langthorne Abbey. Beneath the garden are the remains of the gatehouse of the Abbey. The community garden was set up by a group of local residents in 2006 with the aim of rescuing the derelict site from vandalism. They set up the Friends of Abbey Gardens, now a charity, which continues to run the project.
