Elthorne Park & Brent River Park

London Parks: Elthorne Park & Brent River Park

Ealing Edens: Elthorne Park & Brent River Park

Elthorne Park and Brent River Park in west London in the London Borough of Ealing are two large areas of formal parks with more wilderness-like areas attached. They can be easily visited together and provide an oasis of green space and relaxation for strollers, joggers and dog walkers.

Elthorne Park, Ealing, London, UK. — Elthorne Park, Ealing, London; here areas of grass ideal for ball games

History

Elthorne Park opened in 1910 on land previously owned by Lord Jersey. The name Elthorne actually goes back to Saxon times and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Brent River Park is more recent and dates from the activities of the Brent River and Canal Society in the 1970s. They campaigned for the area of heathland and open space to be made a public park. In fact, Brent River Park includes Brent Lodge Park, Hanwell Meadows, Elthorne Park, Elthorne Waterside, Perivale Park and Pitshanger Park. The new park opened in 1976.

Elthorne Park in Ealing, west London, UK. — The original bandstand in the park

Layout

From the main entrance on Boston Road, Elthorne Park is a formal park with areas of lawn, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and a children's playground. Look out for the granite boulder (Sarsen Stone) at the entrance and the bandstand.

Walk towards the Grand Union Canal and the Brent River through the more natural areas of grassland of Elthorne Waterside.

Walking northwest along the canal/river takes you to the Hanwell Flight of Locks. Head north before the locks to Brent Meadow and the Wharncliffe Viaduct.

The brick viaduct carries the Great Western Main Line across the Brent Valley between Hanwell and Southall. It is the first design of the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and therefore of historical importance. It dates from 1837. Brunel's work on the Great Western Railway (GWR) revolutionized not just railway design in Britain but also railway construction all over the world.

The viaduct contains four bat cave entrances and is named after Lord Wharncliffe who guided the GWR bill through Parliament. His coat of arms appears on the structure.

Brent Meadow is preserved as a hay meadow and lies south of the viaduct. It is a natural habitat for several species of birds including the occasional kingfisher. Nearby is the Hobbayne Half Acre Woodland which is also a haven for herons, water voles and other species.

Within Brent Lodge Park (part of Brent River Park) is the fun Millennium Maze and the small Hanwell Zoo.

The children's playground with swings and slides. — The children's playground with swings and slides

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The tennis courts are available for hire. — The tennis courts are available for hire

Hanwell Zoo

The popular Hanwell Zoo (formerly Brent Lodge Park Animal Centre) is home to Capybaras, Cranes, Flamingoes, Lemurs, Meerkats, Margays and Porcupines. It is open from 10 am to 5 pm, April to early September and from 10 am to 4 pm early September to March. The zoo began in 1975.

The Grand Union Canal. — The Grand Union Canal

Nearby

There are several interesting places to visit near Elthorne Park and Brent River Park. The open areas around Brent River Park contain two golf clubs, West Middlesex Golf Club and Brent Valley Golf Course. St Mary's Hanwell is an Anglican church on Church Road. It lies on the highest point in Hanwell and a church has been here since the 12th century. It was designed by architect George Gilbert Scott, well known for the tower and spire of Chichester Cathedral as well as the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall.

Not far south from Elthorne Park is Boston Manor House, a Jacobean manor house. It dates from 1623 and is set in the surrounding Boston Manor Park.

Lock gate on the Grand Union Canal, London, UK. — Lock gate on the Grand Union Canal

To the east are both Lammas and Walpole parks and Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery. It was originally designed and built by renowned British architect Sir John Soane in 1800 as his country retreat. The manor showcases Soane's architectural style, characterized by his innovative use of space, light, and ornamentation.

Brent Meadow, Ealing, London. — Brent Meadow, Ealing, London

Access

The entrance to Elthorne Park is a short walk from Boston Manor tube station on the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow. The E8 and 195 buses stop outside the park. The E8 bus connects Hounslow and Ealing Broadway Station.

Hanwell on the Elizabeth Line is the nearest station to Brent Lodge Park. The E3 bus from Hanwell to Chiswick via Northfields, Acton Town and Turnham Green stops near the station.