Green spaces booklet - London Borough of Hillingdon

Hillingdon’s green spaces
for everyone to enjoy
www.hillingdon.gov.uk

Key to symbols
P Car parking
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Dogs allowed
Visitor centre/
information point
Toilets
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All the photos used in this publication
are courtesy of Graham Mullett.
Front cover image taken at Church Field Gardens.
Children’s play area
Refreshments
Walking/nature trail
Leisure facilities
Cycling allowed
Printed on recycled paper.

Key to symbols
P Car parking
i
WC
Dogs allowed
Visitor centre/
information point
Toilets
U
O
All the photos used in this publication
are courtesy of Graham Mullett.
Front cover image taken at Church Field Gardens.
Children’s play area
Refreshments
Walking/nature trail
Leisure facilities
Cycling allowed
Printed on recycled paper.

Key to symbols
P Car parking
i
WC
Dogs allowed
Visitor centre/
information point
Toilets
U
O
All the photos used in this publication
are courtesy of Graham Mullett.
Front cover image taken at Church Field Gardens.
Children’s play area
Refreshments
Walking/nature trail
Leisure facilities
Cycling allowed
Printed on recycled paper.

Welcome 1
The second largest borough in London, Hillingdon offers over 200 green
spaces that cover approximately 1,800 acres. Whether you want a quiet
place to sit and think, somewhere for the whole family to spend the day,
or outdoor sports facilities to enjoy and benefit from, Hillingdon offers
something for everyone.
Across the borough, there are formal gardens, town parks and
informal nature conservation and country parks, as well as
over 100 children’s play areas. We currently have six green flag
sites, a National Nature Reserve at Ruislip Woods, and over
40 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), all of
which are open to the public.
The council and local groups have worked together over
several years to provide the information for this booklet. Our
sites appeal to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities,
whatever their interests.
Details on the Healthy Walks mentioned in this booklet can
be viewed on our website, obtained from your local library or
requested from the green spaces team.
We welcome all feedback, which we will use to help us update
promotional information and enhance the borough’s green
spaces for everyone to enjoy.
We hope you enjoy this introduction to a sample of some of
the large and smaller sites available in the borough. For more
information on our green spaces or walks, and for details of
events throughout the year, visit the green spaces website.
Cllr Sandra Jenkins
Hillingdon Council’s cabinet member for environment

The parks patrol team
The borough’s parks patrol team works seven days a week
from 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm from Easter through to the end
of September, and from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm from October
to Easter. Park keepers work at Barra Hall Park, Church
Field Gardens, and Fassnidge Park during busy times. In
an emergency please ring the council’s green spaces team.

Courtesy code 3
So that everyone can enjoy the borough’s green spaces, please
remember:
whether you’re on your own or part
of a group
in parks is
illegal and anti-social
not only is
rubbish unsightly, it can also be dangerous to wildlife
because of the volumes of litter,
dumping of hot coals and food waste created
every dog owner is responsible
for ensuring their dog is not a danger or nuisance to other
people or wildlife, and should carry a lead to use
when needed
waste bins are provided
throughout the borough. Failure to clean up after your dog
can result in an on-the-spot fine
do not deliberately frighten wild birds and
animals, try not to damage plants and trees, and leave gates
as you find them
behaviour to the customer contact centre.
Vandalism, graffiti, fly tipping, violence, and
use of drugs are all criminal offences and
will be dealt with accordingly
you are visiting. A complete list of the
borough’s green spaces byelaws is available
from our website or via the contact centre.

Sites run by professional
tennis coaches
Turn up and play sites
Basketball court
BMX track
Bowling
Bridleway
Cricket table
Cycle track
Football pitches
Golf course
Hockey pitch
Rugby pitch
Running track
Skate ramp
Tennis courts
Multi games
wall/court
Bessingby Park & Pine Gardens
Botwell Recreation
Bourne Farm Playing Fields
Cavendish Park
Church Field Gardens
Colham Green
Coney Green
Cowley Recreation
Deane Park
Fassnidge Park
Grosvenor Playing Field
Harmondsworth Recreation
Haydon Hall
Hayes End Community Park
Herlwyn Park
Hillingdon Court Park
Hillingdon House Farm
Ickenham Green
King’s College Playing Fields
Kingshill Avenue BMX
Lake Farm Country Park
Little Harlington Playing Fields
Manor Farm Complex
Michael Frost Park
Moorhall Recreation
Northwood Recreation
Pinkwell Park
Pole Hill
Rockingham Recreation
Rosedale Park
Ruislip Lido
Sam Philp Recreation
Sidmouth Drive
Sipson Recreation
Skylark Meadows
Stockley Recreation
Stockley Golf Course
Stonefield Park
Swakeleys Drive Tennis Courts
Swakeleys Park (The Avenue)
Taylors Meadow
The Closes
Trevor Crescent
Watts Common
Willow Tree
Yiewsley Recreation

Outdoor recreation 5
The green spaces team is responsible for the provision of
pitches for team sport at various locations across the borough.
Football
Pitches are available to hire on a weekly or seasonal basis
for league, cup or casual games. We currently have 31
senior, 16 junior and 13 soccer 7s pitches.
Rugby
We currently have two rugby pitches, which are available for
weekly or seasonal hire for league, cup or casual games.
Lawn Bowls
There are 12 bowling greens across the borough for
club and public bowling. These facilities are run by their
individual bowls clubs, and each managing club keeps one
rink available for public bowling, with the green fees payable
to the club.
Cricket
We currently have three cricket tables for weekly or
seasonal hire.
Tennis
At sites run by professional tennis coaches, one court is
kept available for public play, with fees payable to
the professional on site. When not in use by the
professional, all the courts are available for
free play. Turn up and play sites are free to
use.
Other leisure facilities
Hillingdon also has three skate ramps and
five BMX tracks.
For further details, please visit our website,
or contact the council’s green spaces team.

Barra Hall Park
On 20 December 1923, the then Hayes &
Barra Hall Park. The site is situated south
of the Uxbridge Road via Grange Road,
and covers an area of 21 acres. It is
general park land with ornamental lawns,
recreational grass areas, rose and shrub
beds, seasonal bedding displays and a wide
range of mature trees.

Barra Hall Park 7
“Bend it Like Beckham
was filmed here”
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The main building within the grounds is a grade-two listed
manor house, which, at one time, was the town hall for
Hayes and Harlington. Since its refurbishment, it is used by
the SureStart organisation.
There is also a bandstand, open-air theatre, refreshment
kiosk and a children’s play area. Bend it Like Beckham,
starring Kiera Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, was
filmed here.
There are 10 entrances to the park, two in Wood End
Green Road, two in Church Walk, one from the car park at
Lynchgate Walk, four in Freemans Lane and one in
Botwell Lane.
The park is open every day throughout the year. The nearest
train station is Hayes & Harlington; buses U4, H98 and 195
serve the area.
Norman Leddy Memorial Gardens and Lake Farm Country
Park are close by.
Trails of Discovery, Hayes, runs through this area.
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Awarded 2005/06 and 2006/07
Fassnidge Park
Fassnidge Park is a popular and valued site
that offers a bowling green, tennis courts
and a children’s playground. It provides
a number of horticultural features such
as shrub beds, ornamental bedding,
herbaceous plants and mature trees.

Fassnidge Park 9
“The traditional Edwardian park
covers four acres and offers a
bowling green, tennis courts and
a children’s playground”
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In 2003, the Management Advisory Group was set up,
and the community worked together with the council to
transform the park into the invaluable community resource
that it is today.
The traditional Edwardian park covers four acres and is
situated just to the north west of Uxbridge town centre, with
its popular shopping centres, a cinema, central library, and
pubs and restaurants.
500 metres from Uxbridge station, Fassnidge Park has
three entrances for the public; the main one located at the
southern end of the site in Rockingham Parade, one further
up Rockingham Parade and another at the northern end of
the park on Oxford Road.
The grounds are locked every evening and reopened each
morning. A kiosk and toilets are located on site. There is a
small car park adjacent to Rockingham Recreation Ground,
which is opposite Rockingham Parade. Buses U1, U4, U5,
U7, 222 and 427 serve near to the park.
Nearby is the Grand Union Canal.
Trails of Discovery, Uxbridge, passes through this park.
There is a Healthy Walk for Fassnidge Park and Rockingham
Recreation.
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Awarded 2005/06 and 2006/07
Harefield Village Green
This historic green is located in the heart of Harefield
Village conservation area. It covers an area of
approximately four and a half acres and is situated where
Breakspear Road North and Rickmansworth Road meet.
The green has been central to life in the village for many
years. It is a registered common dating back to 1813. It
provides a small children’s playground and a sizeable
expanse of open space on which locals and visitors can
enjoy informal sports, picnics and family get-togethers.

Harefield Village Green 11
The village pond contains a variety of flora, fauna and
wildlife. Surrounding the green is a variety of trees,
providing a beautiful backdrop to this bustling, yet peaceful,
corner of the village. Several pubs and restaurants are
located within a couple of minutes walk from the green,
mostly in the high street, which is noted for its antique
shops and several old buildings.
An interesting and unique feature is the model hare
contained within a large globe, which can be seen at the
southwestern corner of the green. Depicted on the globe
are the British Isles and Australia, celebrating the strong
links between Harefield and Australia. An Australian
military hospital was set up at Harefield Park for soldiers
wounded in the First World War. There is also an ANZAC
cemetery and memorial at St Mary’s, the village parish
church, and ANZAC Days remain a regular event in the
village. Harefield hospital has been the home of pioneering
heart surgery since the 1960s, and renowned heart surgeon,
Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, unveiled the globe on
1 October 2000.
The nearest railway stations are Rickmansworth and
Northwood; buses 331 and U9 serve the area.
Street car parking is available around the green.
Close by is Hillingdon Outdoor Activities
Centre (HOAC).
Trails of Discovery, Harefield, passes the
green. There is also a Healthy Walk
for Harefield.
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Awarded 2005/06 and 2006/07
Lake Farm Country Park
In 1907, The Gramophone Company (1897) built a record
Farm for possible industrial expansion. By the Second
World War, EMI had embarked upon radar research and
up to the early 1980s. A proposal to excavate gravel in
1991, opposed by local residents, prompted the council to
purchase Lake Farm as a public open space.

Lake Farm Country Park 13
“A trim trail runs through the
site, 60 acres in size, bounded
by the Grand Union Canal”
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Today, Lake Farm is a relatively large expanse of
meadowland fringed by trees and the canal, and is situated
to the south of Hayes. Approximately 60 acres in size,
it is bounded by the Grand Union Canal, Dawley Road,
Botwell Common Road and Botwell Lane. Most of the site
comprises of open grassland of wildlife value, punctuated by
occasional small blocks of shrubs, with a larger expanse in
the south.
A trim trail runs through the site, which is recognisable
by its skylark monument. Two areas of more formal open
space are situated in the northwestern and northeastern
corners of the park. These consist of short-mown grassland
with planted trees and a children’s playground. On the
western edge of the site, adjacent to Dawley Road,
is a BMX track.
Nearby is Barra Hall Park, Norman Leddy Memorial
Gardens, Stockley Park and Golf Course, and Hayes Pool.
The nearest train station is Hayes & Harlington, and the U4
serves the area. There is a car park off Dawley Road.
Trails of Discovery, Hayes, runs through this park. There is
a Healthy Walk for Lake Farm.
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Little Britain
Situated between the River Colne and Frays River is an
attractive lake, which is called ‘Little Britain’ because
of its similar shape to the British Isles. The lake covers
approximately 77 acres, and was formed as the result of
gravel extraction in the early 1930s. The islands in the lake
were made from hornbeam and birch stakes, and woven
rooting willow, and provide a safe habitat for many water
birds, such as mallards and tuffed ducks.

Little Britain 15
“called ‘Little Britain’ because of its
similar shape to the British Isles”
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The lake offers a beautiful location for a gentle stroll or
summer picnic, and provides a quiet respite from the
neighbouring towns of Uxbridge and Yiewsley.
The pathway, laid around the western edge of the lake in
the early part of 2005, has been identified as especially
suitable for users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and
pushchairs, and people with impaired mobility. Please note
that because of the restricted access point by the marina,
the nearby towpath along the canal is not recommended for
users of wheelchairs or mobility vehicles.
Little Britain is open every day throughout the year. Toilet
facilities and a café can be found at Packet Boat Marina,
which is approximately 250 metres from the lake.
600 metres from the site at Cowley Locks is the Lock
Cottage Tea Rooms, a family-run restaurant with views
directly on to the Grand Union Canal. Alternatively, there is
a picnic area on site.
Little Britain is approximately 300 metres off Cowley Road.
The nearest train station is West Drayton, and the 222 bus
serves near to the area. Trails of Discovery, Cowley, circles
the site. There is also a Healthy Walk for Little Britain.
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Church Field Gardens
and Manor Farm
Manor Farm lies within the Ruislip conservation area
and is bounded by Eastcote Road, Bury Street, Pinn Way
of historic farm buildings, archaeological remains and
landscape features, and is set in approximately 22 acres
of land.
Accessible throughout the year, the site incorporates a
library, performance hall, bowling green and duck pond

Church Field Gardens
and Manor Farm
17
“The park incorporates traditional
rose beds, tennis courts, a
children’s playground…”
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(formerly a horse pond). Many of the site’s buildings are
available for hire by contacting the arts service. Restoration
and development works at Manor Farm began in March
2007. Plans are to fully restore the grade-two listed manor
house, which will include the creation of an interpretation
centre. The 13th century great barn will be enhanced
and the cartsheds will be home to five artistes studios.
Sympathetic landscaping will allow visitors to appreciate the
site as it once was.
The park opposite Manor Farm, now known as Church Field
Gardens, was passed over to the then Ruislip & Northwood
Urban District Council in 1927. The land was preserved for
use as a public open space and recreation ground. Toilets
and car parking are located within and nearby Manor Farm
respectively. Refreshments are available from Cowbyre Tea
Shop and several food outlets along the high street.
Today Church Field Gardens is a vibrant, welcoming park
immediately adjacent to the bustling Ruislip high street and
St Martin’s, a historic flint church. The park incorporates
traditional rose beds, tennis courts, a children’s playground,
and is well serviced by a footpath network that allows
access for all.
The nearest train station is Ruislip; buses E7, H13, U1, U10
and 331 serve the high street.
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Awarded 2005/06 and 2006/07
Norman Leddy Memorial Gardens
The gardens were, at one time, a private residence with a
large ornamental garden surrounding the house. A walled
vegetable and fruit garden was attached to the grounds on
the west side. In the early 1900s the house and grounds
became a private nursing home. When the home closed,
both were given to Hayes & Harlington Urban District
Council, which in turn became part of the London Borough
of Hillingdon in 1965.

Norman Leddy
Memorial Gardens 19
The site was the headquarters of Hayes & Harlington Urban
District Council parks department until 1960 when the
building was condemned unsafe, subsequently demolished,
and then developed into the Hayes Botanic Gardens.
The walled vegetable and fruit garden became the council’s
tree and shrub nursery, although the nursery was later lost
to the site as part of a road improvement scheme.
The gardens have developed over the years and contain
a vast range of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials,
bulbs and seasonal bedding, providing colour and interest
throughout the year.
In 1993, the gardens were renamed the Norman Leddy
Memorial Gardens – in memory of the late Mr Leddy, who
had held the post of assistant director of parks and helped
considerably to develop and raise the standard of
the gardens.
These peaceful and tranquil gardens cover four acres, and
are located approximately 200 yards south of the Uxbridge
Road in Hayes, between the Beck Theatre and Barra Hall
Park.
There are four entrances to the gardens – the main one is at
the southern end of the site in Wood End. The nearest train
station is Hayes & Harlington. Car parking and
refreshments can be found at the Beck Theatre.
Buses 427 and 607 serve the Uxbridge Road.
The gardens are open all year round,
Monday to Saturday, 10.00 am – 4.30 pm,
Sundays and bank holidays, 10.00 am –
4.00 pm.
There is a Healthy Walk through Norman
Leddy Gardens.
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Awarded 2005/06 and 2006/07
Ruislip Woods and Lido
Ruislip Woods is the largest block of ancient, semi-natural
woodland in Greater London, and includes one of the most
extensive oak/hornbeam coppice woods in southeast
England. Covering 726 acres and open all year round, the
and horse riding. Camping is available for local guide and
scouting organisations by contacting the green spaces
team.

Ruislip Woods
and Lido 21
The woods were designated as a National Nature Reserve
(NNR) in 1997 and, together with the Ruislip Woods Trust,
Hillingdon Council celebrates its anniversary every May by
holding a day event at the lido. Since 1950, it has been a Site
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and in 2006 it received a
Green Heritage Award. This popular location has also been
used for various films, including The Young Ones in the 60s,
which starred Cliff Richard.
Ruislip Lido, which was created as a canal reservoir in
1811, has since been recognised as a Metropolitan Site of
Importance for nature conservation. It covers 40 acres of
water and is surrounded by the woods. It offers a sandy
beach – one of the few in London – a children’s playground,
plus trips on the miniature steam railway, which is run
by volunteers from the Ruislip Lido Railway Society. The
lido’s woodland visitor centre helps explain the historical
and ecological importance of the woods through a range
of displays. It is open between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm on
Sundays, from Easter to August.
Refreshments can be found by the lido – at the Water’s Edge
pub or from the kiosk, which is open from April to October.
Alternatively, picnic and seating areas are available
around the site.
The woods and lido are accessible by 33
entrances – the main one is at Reservoir
Road. The nearest train stations are Ruislip
and Ruislip Manor. Buses H13 and 331
serve the Ruislip Woods area. Car parks
are located in Reservoir Road, Breakspear
Road North and Ducks Hill Road.
A number of walks run through the woods,
including part of the Hillingdon Trail, and the
three Ruislip Woods Walks.
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Southlands Arts Centre
A former private residence, Southlands Arts
Centre is now a grade-two listed building that
West Drayton Urban District Council.
In the 16th century, a Tudor farmhouse
was on the site of the present house. In
the 17th century, the owner extended the
house, and erected the fine Queen Anne
frontage that can be seen today. In 1864, the
existing Victorian rear portion was built.

Southlands Arts
Centre 23
“In the 17th century, the owner
extended the house, and erected
the fine Queen Anne frontage”
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The owner took out insurance with the Sun Insurance office
in 1743, and this company’s firemark can be seen on the
house front. The 1828 enclosure map shows outbuildings
including a stable granary, barn, other outhouses, a
carthouse, a Dutch barn and granary – only the 17th century
barn remains.
Located off The Green, West Drayton, the house is situated
within a formal garden laid mainly to lawn with a variety of
herbaceous perennials, shrubs and mature trees. The sixacre
site has a formal walled garden north of the house and
a pond, which is home to frogs and newts, as well as some
aquatic plants.
The two Adam and Eve statues on the lawn were sculptured
locally by Andrew Weston Smith, using Indiana limestone.
The house is managed and maintained by Yiewsley and
West Drayton Arts Council, and the grounds are open
daily throughout the year. As with all gardens, Southlands
undergoes constant change and improvement, building on
the past to accommodate present trends and demands.
The entrance to this site is off the green. The nearest train
station is West Drayton, and buses U3, U5, and 222 serve
this area. There is a small car park situated within the grounds.
A full calendar of its year’s events/exhibitions and brochure
is available from the Southlands Arts Centre.
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24
Useful contacts
Hillingdon Council 01895 250111
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Arts service 01895 678800
Central library (Uxbridge) 01895 250600
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/libraries
libraryinfoteam@hillingdongrid.org
Customer contact centre 01895 556000
contactcentre1@hillingdon.gov.uk
Green spaces 01895 250635
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/greenspaces
greenspacesadminteam@hillingdon.gov.uk
Leisure 01895 250453
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/leisure
Tourist information centre based at Uxbridge library
Beck Theatre 020 8561 7506
Green Corridor
www.greencorridor.org.uk
Green Flag Award 0151 231 6900
www.greenflagaward.org.uk
GreenSTAT
www.greenstat.org.uk
Groundwork Thames Valley 01895 832662
www.groundwork-tv.org.uk
London Wildlife Trust 020 7261 0447
www.wildlondon.org.uk
Packet Boat Marina 01895 449851
Ruislip Lido Railway 01895 622595
www.ruisliplidorailway.org
Ruislip Woods Trust 01895 622595
www.ruislipwoodstrust.org.uk
Southlands Arts Centre 01895 442784
Transport for London 020 7222 1234
www.tfl.gov.uk
Please remember to recycle this booklet when you no longer need it.

Have your say 25
To help us provide you with the information you want on Hillingdon’s green
spaces, please spend a few minutes answering the questions below. Any
information that you provide will be treated confidentially and will only be
used by Hillingdon Council.
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Thank you for taking the time to give us this information. Please detach this form,
seal and return to the address overleaf.
If you would like to give your views on any of the borough’s green spaces or walk
ways, please complete the GreenSTAT survey, which you can request from us, or
fill in online – go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk/greenspaces and click on have your
say on your local park.

FREEPOST
Have Your Say
Green spaces team
London Borough of Hillingdon
4W/08 Civic Centre
High Street
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 1BR

Obtaining information in your language
If you would like information about Hillingdon Council’s services in your own
language, please ask an English speaker to phone 01895 250111 on your behalf.
This information is also available in large print,
Braille and on audio tape.
www.hillingdon.gov.uk