Memorial Recreation Ground Newham London

Images of Britain: Memorial Recreation Ground, East London

The Memorial Recreation Ground close to West Ham Station is a large green space in the London Borough of Newham.

Nowadays Memorial Recreation Ground is occupied by playing fields some for free use and others for hire for both football and rugby. Floodlights are available on a 3G artificial turf pitch.

There is also a children's playground, a wildflower meadow and the Grassroots Centre, a modern community building with a café, a crèche and nursery, as well as a health centre.

The former Memorial Grounds opened in 1897, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's coronation and was once used by West Ham United as their home ground before their move to the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park) in 1904.

The park is normally open from dawn until dusk. On the east side of the park is East London Crematorium and Cemetery which contains the grave of Elizabeth Stride, the third victim of Jack the Ripper as well as several other notable people including activist Blair Peach, actress Beryl Cooke and boxer Terry Spinks.