The bandstand was erected in the1960’s, but replaced a succession of earlier structures dating back to the early 1900’s. Over the past forty years free entertainment has been provided on the Park bandstand. Children’s entertainment is provided during the school summer holidays each Monday and Friday afternoon, as well as a free bouncy castle for one day a week adjacent to the bandstand. Both activities are a very popular part of the summer experience at the Park and regularly attract a total attendance of over 2000 children and 500 adults each summer. Concerts are also held on the bandstand during Summer Sundays in the Park, an ideal occasion to have a Sunday picnic.
During the summer months, free City of London summer programmes listing all the events at the bandstand can be picked up from the Playground Office and leaflet dispensers located at notice boards.
This view point has been taken from the largest of three metal shelters in the Park. From here the Park’s storage compound can be seen, which is the operational heart of West Ham Park. Separation and recycling of most of the litter which is collected in the Park from the bins, offices and around the Park is carried out in the storage compound. It is also home to the compactor which compacts general waste before it is taken from site.
All green waste generated in the Park is also recycled. Fallen leaves are collected and stored in large bays and a specialist contractor visits the Park annually to shred and turn the plant material to produce mulch which is used in the Gardens.
The Leaf Yard is also home to West Ham Park’s first Wormery. These small creatures breakdown kitchen waste to compost and a liquid organic plant feed which is put back into the Gardens.
The cricket nets are very popular with local enthusiasts, as it is one of the very few public practice facilities remaining in the East London area. To further assist budding young cricketers, West Ham Park annually hosts a free cricket clinic in July with Essex County Cricket Board to coach local school children, developing their skills and enthusiasm for the sport.
Also at this location are the tennis courts, which are another popular facility especially throughout the summer months. West Ham Park hosts annual tennis coaching for beginners and improvers, for more information about cricket or tennis or other sporting events, contact the West Ham Park Office or talk to a member of staff who will be happy to help.
Details of cricket and tennis fees plus the opening times are displayed on the Tennis and Cricket Notice Board situated outside the tennis court entrance.
There are seven public entrances in West Ham Park, Linden Gate being one of them. The large evergreen tree with a bulbous trunk situated near here is a Lucombe Oak. It is one of the oldest tree specimens in the Park and an example of a Veteran Tree. Behind this tree is the Wildlife Garden. Created in 1991, this area has limited public access in order to maintain a peaceful enclosure to encourage wildlife.
This area of the Park offers a good view of the long grass areas. Since 2004, grass maintenance has been managed differently to increase the amount of long grass in the Park. This is beneficial as it allows the creation of different habitats thereby encouraging a variety of plants, insects and wildlife to make the Park their home.
For more information about wildlife features in the Park please pick up a Wildlife Trail leaflet available from the Playground office and leaflet dispensers.
The collection of stones located on the flagpole lawn make up the Cairn which is constructed with material said to be from the original house and Dr. Fothergill’s Rock Garden.
Nearby, the tall tree with fan shaped leaves is a Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo biloba.This was planted by Fothergill in 1763. Fothergill positioned the tree next to his house for shelter and if you look closely at the trunk you will see that one side appears to be flatter. This Ginkgo is one of the oldest specimens in Great Britain.
The National Collection of Sweet Gums, Liquidambars consists of over 25 cultivars. In autumn, the Liquidambars can be seen in their full beauty with an array of deep red, pink, purple and orange foliage. To learn more about the collection of trees in the Ornamental Gardens, pick up a Tree Trail leaflet available from the Playground Office and leaflet dispensers.
Behind Country Gate lies a link to the area’s significant sporting history and the origins of Edward Temme Avenue. The road was named after, Stratford born swimmer, Edward Harry Temme who belonged to Plaistow United Swimming Club, founded in 1920. Temme went to the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin to compete in water polo and was also the first man to swim the English Channel in both directions. To find out more information about the history of West Ham Park pick up a History Trail leaflet available from the Playground Office and leaflet dispensers.
This is also a good location to view the perimeter of the Park which has been planted with a variety of daffodil bulbs with the help of local schools. The bulbs soften and brighten the perimeter of the Park by providing a yellow and golden display throughout spring.
The Iris Garden was re-designed in winter 2005 and is now beginning to mature in to a popular feature of the Ornamental Gardens. Although the Irises have remained a key theme of the garden, new plant collections including topiary and focal spot plants have been introduced to provide year round colour and interest.
Look out for the selection of herbs and miniature Irises in the central quadrants, as well as the Santonlina rings which curve around the benches. The rings have been planted with Irises mixed with a combination of Knipfophia, Aliums and Delphinums .
To find out more about the extensive horticultural features and bedding displays inside the Ornamental Gardens pick up a Garden Trail leaflet available from the Playground Office and leaflet dispensers.
There are seven public entrances in West Ham Park. The double wrought iron gates at Margery Gate, South Gate and Main Gate are typically Victorian in style, and have been preserved over many years to maintain their original layout and design.
The Rounders pitch is situated near Margery Gate Entrance. This area is one of a range of facilities which are provided in the Park to cover winter and summer activities. The Park contains 12 tennis courts, two cricket squares, three cricket nets, outdoor fitness equipment, two football pitches, an all-weather pitch and a seasonal grass running track. The rounders pitch along with five-a-side pitches can be marked out on request.
The 5 Acre Nursery is one of the largest operations of its kind in the UK, producing over 250,000 spring and summer bedding plants each year for West Ham Park and other parks, gardens and churchyards in the City of London including other City of London Open Spaces. Plants grown in the Nursery are also used to add floral embellishment to State occasions and banquets hosted by the City of London.
The Nursery glasshouses are maintained at individual temperatures using an advanced heating and cooling system helping to maintain an ideal environment for plant growth and storage.
The Nursery also opted to use peat free soil which limits the use of herbicides and insecticides helping to reduce the impact of Nursery operations on the environment.
Guided tours of the Nursery and Park are available by prior arrangement with the Park Office.
One of the first Rock Gardens to be introduced to the UK by Fothergill in 1766 can be viewed here. The plants in this collection are mainly Alpine and grasses, such as Lilyturf, Ophiopogon nigrescens and a collection of Aqueligias, Sedums and various bulbs planted under the shade of a beautiful Magnolia Tree.
The collection of Japanese Acers and Hostas opposite the Rockery provide a vibrant contrasting display. Enjoy the vivid red and purple leaves of the Acer palmatum on a bright sunny day and the beautiful variety of autumn colour in October.
This is also a good place to appreciate the Heather Bed which has been planted with a variety of heathers and junipers which intertwine to create a mosaic effect. Set amongst the heathers are Silver Birch, (Betula pendula) and three Mahogany Trees, (Prunus serrula), one of which was planted in celebration of a visit by the City of London Lady Mayoress in 2005.
The double wrought iron gates at South Gate, Margery and the Main Gate are typically Victorian in style and have been preserved over many years to maintain their original layout and design.
In this area of the Park lies the Wildflower Meadow situated behind South Lodge. Recently sown with wildflower seeds which erupted into an explosion of colour this summer, the Meadow provides valuable shelter, encouraging spiders, insects and invertebrates to make their home in the Park. For more information on the work West Ham Park has undertaken to encourage and support wildlife, pick up a Wildlife Trail leaflet available from the Playground Office and leaflet dispensers.
West Ham Park’s two full size grass football pitches are currently booked for an average 90 games per year by regular football teams at weekends and local schools on a 50% discounted basis during the week. In addition, a five a-side pitch is often marked out for local youth and community teams for hire on request.
From April–July, a six lane 400m running track is marked out on a grass area adjacent to the football pitches, and is regularly used by local schools for lessons and annual sports days. Line marking of grids or smaller running tracks can be arranged for school sports days for a discounted school sports fee.
More information on prices and booking requirements can be made through the West Ham Park Office.
Cricket has been played in the Park since 1874 and West Ham Park is the only public space in Newham to maintain two cricket squares, one of which is dedicated to youth matches. The Park hosts a free cricket clinic with Essex County Cricket Board every year in July. West Ham Park also has 3 Cricket Practice nets available for hire.
One of two particularly interesting views in the Park is that of the steeple of St Johns Church in Stratford which can be seen from this location. These two strategic views (the other is of Canary Wharf) will be protected by ensuring that any new tree planting does not obstruct the views, and that tree maintenance aims to improve sight lines in these areas.
The Park Sports Pavilion can also be seen from here. This building, opened in 1974 to coincide with the Park’s centenary, provides changing and cleansing facilities for teams who use sports facilities in the Park.
The 5 Acre Nursery is one of the largest operations of its kind in the UK, producing over 250,000 spring and summer bedding plants each year for West Ham Park and other parks, gardens and churchyards in the City of London including other City of London Open Spaces. Plants grown in the Nursery are also used to add floral embellishment to State occasions and banquets hosted by the City of London.
The Nursery glasshouses are maintained at individual temperatures using an advanced heating and cooling system helping to maintain an ideal environment for plant growth and storage.
The Nursery also opted to use peat free soil which limits the use of herbicides and insecticides helping to reduce the impact of Nursery operations on the environment.
Guided tours of the Nursery and Park are available by prior arrangement with the Park Office.
West Ham Park’s first ever tree sculpture can be seen here. Created in June 2007 by expert Tree Sculptor from the Isle of Wight, Paul Sivell, it is the first of two tree sculptures to be created in the Park. The second wonderful sculpture capturing the essence of the ornamental Gardens can be found in the Ornamental Gardens at the corner of the tennis Courts.
Also seen here is the Superintendent’s Office Building. Originally constructed as a refreshment pavilion in 1957, the building was converted for office use in 1977.
Surrounded by wonderful hanging baskets and colourful planters using plants grown on-site at the West Ham Park Nursery, the Superintendents Office is now used for the administration and support services for the management of the Park.
Park leaflets, information and comments card can be found in the Park Playground Office opposite the Superintendents building.
The pond is a popular feature which is home to various species of dragonfly, nesting ducks, newts, toads and fish as well as several aquatic plants such as Water Lilies. This feature also provides an important educational resource for local schools who wish to learn more about aquatic habitats. For more information on the wildlife which can be seen in West Ham Park please pick up a Wildlife Trail leaflet available from the Playground Office and leaflet dispensers.
The Walled Garden shows an impressive year round display of summer and winter bedding and the Pergola situated on the upper pathway provides the ideal, peaceful resting place to relax and enjoy this corner of the Ornamental Gardens.
The Terrace is the ideal location to appreciate the Park’s summer and winter bedding displays. The Ribbon Beds and the ‘Three’ and ‘Five’ beds show traditional designs consisting of a mixture of bedding plants, bulbs and dot plants. The beds are stripped and re-planted twice a year during May and October to provide all-year round colour and interest. Did you know that all of the Park’s bedding is grown on site at the West Ham Park Nursery?
The Rose Garden is showing the benefits of its restoration in 2003 which included the replacement of all 1,200 roses. The garden is largely made up of a selection of traditional Climbers, Hybrid Teas and Floribundas making this area a real favourite with Park users.
At the end of the pathway, there is a tree sculpture inspired by the Ornamental Gardens, one of two in the Park designed and created by the sculptor Paul Sivell in 2007.
Twelve tennis courts are open all year round and although regularly maintained, the courts benefited from a comprehensive surface refurbishment in 2006.
During the summer months, tennis coaching lessons with a Lawn Tennis Association approved coach are available for both children and adults to help people improve their game. Further details of these courses can be found through contacting the West Ham Park office.
There are also four pieces of multi-gym equipment located here which were installed in 2001 and were an addition to the range of trim-trail equipment already in place in various areas of the park since 1981.
Visitors to the courts during the Spring/Summer months may be graced with a gliding (and rather noisy!) view of one of the different types of visitors and temporary residents of West Ham Park. For the last few years Sparrowhawks have been seen and heard nesting in the trees lining the courts.
At the end of the Terrace, there is a wonderful tree sculpture created by the sculptor Paul Sivell in 2007 and inspired by the Ornamental Gardens. Another of Paul’s tree sculptures can be found located by the playground.
The Terrace is the ideal location to appreciate the Park’s Summer and Winter bedding displays. The Ribbon Beds and the ‘Three’ and ‘Five’ beds show traditional designs consisting of a mixture of bedding plants, bulbs and dot plants. The beds are stripped and re-planted twice a year during May and October to provide all-year round colour and interest. Did you know that all of the Park’s bedding is grown on site at the West Ham Park Nursery?
The depression which can been seen in this area is the location of the Bog Garden but in actual fact there was once a natural stream in this area which was channeled to create a large pond in the Ornamental Gardens. However, over time the stream dried up but the original bridge remains intact and can still be seen today.
From this viewpoint it is possible to view the Rhododendron and Azalea Beds which provide an eye catching display of colour in May and June. It is also possible to view a pair of magnificent Copper Beech, Fagus sylvatica pupurea
with beautiful dark purple foliage. To learn more about the interesting collection of trees in the Ornamental Gardens, pick up a Tree Trail leaflet which is available from the Playground Office and leaflet dispensers.
The storage compound is the operational heart of West Ham Park. Separation and recycling of most of the Parks litter which is collected in the litter bins, offices and around the Park is carried out here. It is also home to the compactor which compacts general waste before it is taken from site.
All green waste generated in the Park is also recycled. Fallen leaves are collected and stored in large bays, and a specialist contractor visits the park annually to shred and turn the plant material to produce mulch which is used in the Gardens.
The compound is also home to West Ham Park’s first Wormery. These small creatures breakdown kitchen waste to compost and a liquid organic plant feed which is put back into the Gardens.
In this area the National Collection of Sweet Gums, Liquidambars, can be seen. The collection of over 25 cultivars is a relatively young collection which will most likely be moved into open parkland over the coming years to allow them to reach their full potential. In autumn the Liquidambars can be seen in their full beauty with an array of deep reds, purple and orange foliage.
West Ham Park holds two national plant collections, the Liquidambar collection and a Trachleospermum collection.
In keeping with the Park’s legacy of unusual plant collection the New Zealand Bed located in these Gardens is home to some unique plants from the other side of the world. In particular, the Chordospartium ‘muritai’ is a rare and endangered species. There are only 28 left in nature due to them growing on an eroding cliff in New Zealand.
East lodge is one of nine residential lodges in the Park and is situated next to the Parks main entrance on Upton Lane, serviced by the 325 and 678 bus routes.
A City of London notice board is located at every entrance to the Park. All notice boards display a location map and the Park bye-laws. Information leaflets can be picked up at the Main Gate from one of the Parks many leaflet dispensers.
The Parks public toilets, including separate children’s, adults, and disabled access toilets, are located at the Playground which can be seen from this viewpoint. Also opposite the playground is the Park’s catering facility, which consists of a mobile unit located at this point for the busiest 8 months of the year.
A CCTV system has been operational in the Park for a number of years and has been successful in recording a number of incidents used as evidence by Police.
The Nursery gate entrance to the Park is situated on Upton Lane and is so called due to it’s close proximity to the West Ham Park on-site Nursery. This Nursery provides over 250,000 spring and summer bedding plants for the Park and gardens and churchyards in the city of London and other City of London Open Spaces.
From here the extremely popular playground and paddling pool, can be seen. A playground has been provided in the Park since 1937, but was moved to its current location in 1951 to allow the range of equipment to be increased. The area was refurbished in 1973, and again in 1986, when all equipment was replaced and safety surfacing added.
Today, the area provides a range of opportunities for active play and is open daily. A supervised paddling pool has also been provided in this area since 1966, and is currently open daily during the summer (weather permitting).
A playground has been provided in the Park since 1937, but was moved to its current location in 1951 to allow the range of equipment to be increased. The area was refurbished in 1973, and again in 1986, when all equipment was replaced and safety surfacing added.
Today, this extremely popular area provides a range of opportunities for active play and is open daily. A supervised paddling pool has also been provided in this area since 1966, and is currently open daily (weather permitting) during the summer.
Park leaflets including the Trail Leaflets, information and comments card can be found in the Park Playground Office.