Lammas Park

Lammas Park is a municipal park in the Ealing district of west London. It covers roughly 25 acres (about 10 hectares) and is regarded as the first public park in Ealing. It is a quiet spot for sport, play and a stroll, set in an ordinary residential neighbourhood away from the usual tourist routes.

Where does the name Lammas Park come from?

The name goes back to medieval "lammas" land: meadows where the tenants of a manor could graze their cattle once the harvest was in. That old farming custom survives only in the name today. The site is now a formal public park with level lawns and paths.

What is the history of the park?

The local authority, the Ealing Local Board, bought the land in 1881 to keep it as open space. The park opened in 1883 as the area's first public park. It was later extended west as far as Northfield Lane under an arrangement with the Elers Estate, and a lodge was built at the new entrance.

By 1911 the grounds held 19 grass tennis courts and 4 croquet lawns, which shows how sporting the park's character was from early on. A bandstand once stood here but has since gone. A small war memorial near the South Lodge entrance was put up by the Boy Scouts in 1949.

What can you do in Lammas Park?

According to the London Gardens Trust record, the park offers:

• tennis courts,
• a croquet pitch,
• bowling greens,
• a playground and Playcentre,
• a junior football pitch,
• a nature area.

There is also a parkour area, the first officially designated one in the borough of Ealing, which local residents helped to design.

Frequently asked questions

When is the park open? According to the council, the park opens at 7.30am and stays open until dusk. It is locked overnight.

How do I get to Lammas Park? The nearest Tube stations are South Ealing and Northfields on the Piccadilly line. Buses E2, E3 and 65 also serve the area.

Is it a good place for families? Yes. Children have a playground, a Playcentre and the parkour area, while adults can use the courts, pitches and lawns.

Is there anything to sightsee in the park? It is mainly a recreational park rather than a tourist attraction. Still, the small war memorial by the south entrance and the park's late nineteenth-century layout are worth a look.

Who is it for?

Lammas Park suits anyone staying in west London or around Ealing who wants to see everyday local life. You can play a game of tennis, go for a run, have a picnic on the grass or simply take a short walk through a Victorian park that has served the neighbourhood for well over a century. Plan your visit during daylight hours, since the park is closed after dusk, and note that outdoor sport is most pleasant from spring through early autumn.