Description
Willesden Sports Ground was originally named King Edward VII Recreation Ground, and had an outdoor gymnasium, cricket and football facilities, running track, refreshment pavilion and a popular open-air swimming pool with a 'filtration plant of the latest type'. The Sports Centre/Stadium continues to have a wide range of facilities.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | King Edward VII Recreation Ground |
|---|---|
| Site location | Donnington Road, Willesden Green |
| Postcode | NW10 |
| What3Words | ///facing.period.verbs |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Brent |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted (recreation ground) |
| Facilities | Car park, children's playground, picnic/quiet area, cricket and football pitches. Sports Centre/Stadium has swimming pool, tennis, badminton courts, gym. |
| Public Transport | Tube: Willesden Green, Dollis Hill (Jubilee). London Overground/Tube (Bakerloo): Willesden Junction. London Overground: Kensal Rise then bus. Bus: 6, 52, 187, 206, 226, 302. |
| Research Updated | 9 June 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Willesden UDC purchased 31 acres at Harlesden in 1909 for public open space, which opened as King Edward VII Recreation Ground by permission of the King to commemorate his accession. The emphasis of the new park was on 'playing organised games'. In 1923/24 the popular swimming pool was described in the Willesden Official Guide as differing from that in Gladstone Park (q.v.) since 'mixed bathing - which is becoming more popular and more general, and when conducted under proper conditions, more to be advocated, everywhere, in salt water and fresh - is permitted during certain times. It is almost superfluous to say that one of the rules for Mixed Bathing is that 'Regulation Swimming Costume must be worn.' The Sports Centre continues to have a wide range of facilities and has been refurbished since 2003, with re-landscaping also undertaken in the recreation ground.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ228837 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 9.246 |
| Site Ownership | LB Brent |
| Site Management | Parks Service |
| Dates | 1909 |
| 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 |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue was founded in 1911, and opened this cemetery in 1914 as the Liberal Jewish and Belsize Square Cemetery. At the entrance are iron gates on brick piers and a brick lodge, now the Cemetery Keeper's house, has a roadway leading to the plain red brick chapel in front of which is a circular War Memorial surrounded by curving paths. There is good planting within the cemetery, privet hedges, lawns and shrubbery beds, and a Holocaust Memorial.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Roundwood Park opened in May 1895 on land which was once known as Hunger Hill Common Field, formerly part of the Roundwood House Estate. Roundwood House was built in c.1836 to the south of the present park; it was owned by the Furness family from 1856-1936. In 1892 c.13 hectares of estate lands were sold to Willesden Local Board for a public park, in response to public pressure as the area became built up. Its design included path layout, planting of thousands of trees and shrubs, a mock-Tudor lodge, children's gymnasium, greenhouses and a bandstand and flagstaff at the highest point; at the entrance were fine wrought-iron gates and railings.
Roundwood Park opened in May 1895 on land which was once known as Hunger Hill Common Field, formerly part of the Roundwood House Estate. Roundwood House was built in c.1836 to the south of the present park; it was owned by the Furness family from 1856-1936. In 1892 c.13 hectares of estate lands were sold to Willesden Local Board for a public park, in response to public pressure as the area became built up. Its design included path layout, planting of thousands of trees and shrubs, a mock-Tudor lodge, children's gymnasium, greenhouses and a bandstand and flagstaff at the highest point; at the entrance were fine wrought-iron gates and railings.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The United Synagogue Cemetery at Willesden was founded in 1873 and laid out to a design by Nathan Joseph. Originally a site of c.9 acres it has been extended subsequently and now covers c. 8.5 hectares. It is entered through imposing gates, with brick piers and a substantial lodge; within the cemetery is good planting of trees including horse chestnuts, poplars, cedar. Many distinguished Jews are buried here and some of the plots have railed enclosures with extravagant metalwork and fine marble and granite. In 2015 the cemetery was awarded Heritage Lottery Funding to undertake restoration works, and in 2017 it was listed Grade II on HE's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Interest.
The United Synagogue Cemetery at Willesden was founded in 1873 and laid out to a design by Nathan Joseph. Originally a site of c.9 acres it has been extended subsequently and now covers c. 8.5 hectares. It is entered through imposing gates, with brick piers and a substantial lodge; within the cemetery is good planting of trees including horse chestnuts, poplars, cedar. Many distinguished Jews are buried here and some of the plots have railed enclosures with extravagant metalwork and fine marble and granite. In 2015 the cemetery was awarded Heritage Lottery Funding to undertake restoration works, and in 2017 it was listed Grade II on HE's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Interest.
