Description
The land for a recreation ground was initially leased from the Earl of Lovelace in 1888 and was later purchased in 1901. Originally known as Balaclava Recreation Ground, in 1902 it was renamed Victoria Recreation Ground for Queen Victoria. The park is rectangular with a central pavilion; a perimeter path runs along the boundary with Balaclava Road and along the railway that borders the park to the south are trees and shrubs, with seating at intervals. A central path divides the main area of grass, with a drinking fountain gifted by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association where the path meets the perimeter along the railway.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Balaclava Recreation Ground |
|---|---|
| Site location | Balaclava Road/Victoria Avenue |
| Postcode | KT6 5JL |
| What3Words | ///shed.glass.churn |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Kingston |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Playground, tennis courts, cricket and football pitches, toilets; cafe |
| Public Transport | Rail: Surbiton. Bus: K3 |
| Research Updated | 2 March 2023 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Victoria Recreation Ground originated as Balaclava Recreation Ground, which dated from 1888 when the land was leased from the Earl of Lovelace for £30 per annum. In 1901 the land was eventually purchased for £10,000 and in 1902 the recreation ground was renamed Victoria Recreation Ground in commemoration of Queen Victoria. A cricket pavilion was built in 1907; this is now the park cafe, 'Tarte in the Park'. The park is rectangular with a central path dividing the main areas of grass and a perimeter path with trees along the boundary with Balaclava Road and along the railway that borders the park to the south are trees and shrubs, with seating at intervals. A polished granite drinking fountain was gifted to the park by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association on 14 September 1916 and is located where the path meets the perimeter along the railway. There are a number of flower beds by the entrance gates at the south-east.
As part of Kingston's Community Parks Programme, access around the park has been improved and two new connecting paths created, together with repairs and resurfacing of existing paths. New play equipment for young children, including cradle seat swings for toddlers, a bigger trampoline, and new vibrant surface playing areas throughout, have improved the playground, which was reopened in October 2019. The Friends of Victoria Rec was established in April 2020 to protect and preserve the park.
As part of Kingston's Community Parks Programme, access around the park has been improved and two new connecting paths created, together with repairs and resurfacing of existing paths. New play equipment for young children, including cradle seat swings for toddlers, a bigger trampoline, and new vibrant surface playing areas throughout, have improved the playground, which was reopened in October 2019. The Friends of Victoria Rec was established in April 2020 to protect and preserve the park.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ174670 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 3.301 |
| Site Ownership | RB Kingston |
| Site Management | Grounds maintenance contractor: Quadron Services Ltd; Friends of Victoria Rec |
| Dates | 1888 |
| 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 | Kingston |
| 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 | Local Open Space (Public Open Space) |
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
This is a comparatively rare example of a formal late Victorian square in a suburban setting. St Andrew's Church was built in 1871-2 and the terraces of houses developed between 1876-1884, although the western end was undeveloped until early C20th. The gardens, originally for the private use of residents, had three lawns and perimeter trees. Between 1932-1956 the layout was changed to provide allotment gardens at the west, tennis courts in the centre, with gardens retained at the east, but they later reverted to pleasure gardens. In 1972 the Borough Council compulsorily purchased the gardens and allowed public access.
Southborough House, originally known as Southborough Park and designed by John Nash in 1808, now stands in the middle of the Southborough Estate, which was developed between the 1890s and 1930s. In the grounds of Southborough House is a one-storey Summerhouse, possibly also by Nash; the garden today is 2/3 of an acre with vistas over the surrounding district. Southborough Lodge, formerly part of the outbuildings of Southborough Park, is now a separate dwelling as 16 Ashcombe Avenue, the division taking place sometime between 1934 and 1944. Part of the original carriage drive remains in front of Southborough House.
The Woods was a large Victorian house with a lake and mixed woodland in the grounds. The house was demolished in 1933 and in 1947 the site was purchased for a public park, which opened in 1951/2. Soon after the land was purchased it was suggested that it be turned into a bird sanctuary and called Jefferies Wood after the naturalist Richard Jefferies, who had lived in Surbiton. In 1980 part of the site became the Richard Jefferies Bird Sanctuary.