Description
Upminster Hall Playing Field and the adjacent Upminster Golf Course are on land formerly part of the Upminster Hall estate, former hunting seat of the Abbots of Waltham Abbey, the timber-framed Hall now the clubhouse of Upminster Golf Club. The land that is now the Playing Field was in agricultural use before it was converted for recreation in 1957, extended with further land in 1958/9. An avenue of mature horse chestnut and walnut trees divides the two pieces of land and new trees have been planted. Separated from the Playing Field by woodland, the late C14th/C15th Tithe Barn was probably used by monks from Waltham Abbey.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Upminster Hall; Hall Lane Playing Field |
|---|---|
| Site location | Hall Lane, Upminster |
| Postcode | RM14 |
| What3Words | ///staple.stages.grow |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Havering |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Car park, playground, cricket, football, netball |
| Events | Tithe Barn has opened for Open House |
| Public Transport | Rail/Tube: Upminster (District). Bus: 248, 347 |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Upminster was originally called Chafford, possibly derived from 'St Chad's Ford' after the missionary brothers St Chad and St Cedd who brought Christianity to Essex in c. AD670. Upminster Golf Course (q.v.) and Upminster Hall Playing Field are on land that was formerly part of the estate of Upminster Hall, once the hunting seat of the Abbots of Waltham Abbey. It was one of 17 manors given to the Abbots by King Harold. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the C16th Henry VIII granted Upminster Hall to Thomas Cromwell, following whose execution the estate passed through various illustrious owners, the last private resident being Major Godfrey Pike. Chapman and Andre's map of 1777 shows formal gardens to the east of the house and plantations in the north. Upminster Hall, a largely C15th/C16th timber-framed building, with later additions made over the years including a c.C17th north wing, is now the clubhouse of the Upminster Golf Club.
For many years the land that is now occupied by Upminster Hall Playing Field was leased for an agricultural depot, but when Upminster Estates were being development it was decided that recreational facilities should be provided. As a result 6.5 acres were reinstated as grassland in 1957, with a further 6 acres added in 1958/9. An avenue of mature horse chestnut and walnut trees divides the two pieces of land and new trees have been planted. The south side in particular has some fine old trees. In 1961 the then Superintendent of Parks and Cemeteries wrote that 'It is visualised that this area could ultimately form one of our most beautiful natural parks with an unbroken vista to Laindon Hills'.
Near the Playing Field and separated by woodland is a late C14th/C15th Tithe Barn with nine bays, described as ‘a masterpiece of medieval timber construction'. Close to the main drive of Upminster Hall, it was probably used by monks from Waltham Abbey. Recently re-thatched, the barn has been turned into a museum of agricultural and local history, the Museum of Nostalgia.
For many years the land that is now occupied by Upminster Hall Playing Field was leased for an agricultural depot, but when Upminster Estates were being development it was decided that recreational facilities should be provided. As a result 6.5 acres were reinstated as grassland in 1957, with a further 6 acres added in 1958/9. An avenue of mature horse chestnut and walnut trees divides the two pieces of land and new trees have been planted. The south side in particular has some fine old trees. In 1961 the then Superintendent of Parks and Cemeteries wrote that 'It is visualised that this area could ultimately form one of our most beautiful natural parks with an unbroken vista to Laindon Hills'.
Near the Playing Field and separated by woodland is a late C14th/C15th Tithe Barn with nine bays, described as ‘a masterpiece of medieval timber construction'. Close to the main drive of Upminster Hall, it was probably used by monks from Waltham Abbey. Recently re-thatched, the barn has been turned into a museum of agricultural and local history, the Museum of Nostalgia.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ566878 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Havering |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1957 |
| Listed Structures | Upminster Tithe Barn - Scheduled Ancient Monument |
| 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 | Havering |
| 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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Upminster Court was built in 1904, prior to which the land was within the Upminster Hall Estate. It was let by the Estate Trustees to Arthur Williams, who commissioned Charles Reilly to design his new house. The gardens continue the Anglo-French theme of the house with organised English-style garden 'rooms' overlaid with a more formal French discipline of paths and vistas. Other features in the grounds included a walled Italian garden, bowling and croquet lawns, and kitchen garden. The Williams family lived here until the late 1920s after which the house was used for offices, later a refugee centre, and in 1946 was purchased with 22 acres by Essex County Council. In 1965 ownership transferred to LB Havering and it opened in 1972 as a respite centre with a borough nursery in the gardens. From 1993-2005 the house was used as the council's Staff Training and Development Centre. In 2007 it was purchased by Uniserve Group.
Upminster Court was built in 1904, prior to which the land was within the Upminster Hall Estate. It was let by the Estate Trustees to Arthur Williams, who commissioned Charles Reilly to design his new house. The gardens continue the Anglo-French theme of the house with organised English-style garden 'rooms' overlaid with a more formal French discipline of paths and vistas. Other features in the grounds included a walled Italian garden, bowling and croquet lawns, and kitchen garden. The Williams family lived here until the late 1920s after which the house was used for offices, later a refugee centre, and in 1946 was purchased with 22 acres by Essex County Council. In 1965 ownership transferred to LB Havering and it opened in 1972 as a respite centre with a borough nursery in the gardens. From 1993-2005 the house was used as the council's Staff Training and Development Centre. In 2007 it was purchased by Uniserve Group.
The land north of Upminster remained rural into the C20th. As house building gradually took place on the east side of Hall Lane, the site of Hall Lane Miniature Golf Course remained open land and was in use as a private 9-hole golf course before WWII. It was acquired by the War Department for an Assault Course during the war, after which it was purchased by Upminster Council who laid out the 18-hole miniature golf course in 1950/51. By this time the site was surrounded by housing. At the northern boundary was a large copse of trees and there remain mature oak and ash at the eastern end where a field pond was levelled; the golf course is well planted with numerous trees of various species.
Upminster Golf Course and Upminster Hall Playing Field are on land formerly part of the Upminster Hall estate, former hunting seat of the Abbots of Waltham Abbey. The timber-framed Hall is now the clubhouse of Upminster Golf Club, founded in 1928, which acquired the freehold of the Hall and 6.5 acres in 1935. Former gardens in front of the house are now laid out as the 1st and 18th holes of the golf course. A bowling green was laid out behind the clubhouse in 1949.