Description
West Harrow Recreation Ground dates from between the 2 world wars but is distinguished by its trees that predate the park layout. The area was predominantly rural before the arrival of the railway brought housing development. The Metropolitan Railway extended the line to Uxbridge in 1904 and West Harrow Station opened in November 1913, within two years recording some 43,000 passengers a month. As housing grew up the park was provided for the new residential population.
Practical Information
| Site location | The Ridgeway/Wilson Gardens, West Harrow |
|---|---|
| Postcode | HA1 |
| What3Words | ///pitch.models.tree |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Harrow |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Children's play area, bowling green, tennis courts, cricket squares, basketball court, car park |
| Public Transport | Tube: West Harrow (Metropolitan). Bus: H11 |
| Research Updated | 1 January 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
St Peter's Church, West Harrow, was built in 1913 and by 1914 streets to the south of the railway line near West Harrow station had been laid out around, including Drury, Sumner, Colbeck, Lance and Butler Roads, with the area that would become the park remaining open space. By 1935 West Harrow Recreation Ground is shown on the OS map laid out with paths, shelter, toilets and other features. The entrance to the park is set back from the road, with two formally planted beds within. From here a straight walk runs east-west planted with horse chestnut and hawthorn with a central circle. To the north are several good older oaks in small clumps; otherwise the park has standard shrubs and flowering trees. Up until 1983 the western corner of the park had old lawn tennis courts but this has now been set aside as a nature area with a wild flower meadow. The bowling green is used by West Harrow Bowling Club, and a number of cricket teams use the recreation ground as their home ground. Friends of West Harrow Park was established by local residents to improve and look after the park.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ140877 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 10.52 |
| Site Ownership | LB Harrow |
| Site Management | Environmental Services, Parks Services; Friends of West Harrow Park |
| Dates | 1920s or 30s |
| 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 | Harrow |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - small part (old tennis courts site) |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | 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
Harrow Cemetery was founded by Harrow Burial Board in 1887 and consecrated in 1888. The cemetery has a small one-storey red-brick chapel but the entrance lodge, described as in 'Norman Shaw style', was demolished in 1985. At the entrance are wooden gates and piers, leading to a straight axial drive with lawns on either side. Cemetery planting includes a couple of araucaria, flowering cherries, holly and yew, and four London planes along the road boundary and the southern part has formal flower beds with some exotic shrubs.
Harrow Recreation Ground opened in 1885, the land purchased as a result of fund-raising initiated by one of the Masters at Harrow School. Laid out with facilities for sports clubs and 4 areas for public recreation, the park has long been associated with Harrow St Mary's Sports Club and Harrow Bowls Club, the latter founded in 1902. Original wrought iron gates are found at a number of entrances. An avenue of oak trees were planted along a central path by outgoing Mayors of the borough from 1989-2004.
Although Newton Ecology Park opened in 1990 as part of Harrow's contribution to European Year of the Environment, the land had been farmed as early as Saxon times, common fields, a Victorian sewage farm and was then part of the Council's Rayners Lane Depot.