Parks in the Wanstead, Barkingside and Clayhall area

Barkingside Recreation Ground entered into a deed of Trust in 2012 and is now formally known as Queen Elizabeth II Field Barkingside Recreation Ground.

It has a traditional playground and a "natural play" area which is very popular with children of all ages. It has various obstacles and apparatus that cater for all children with different abilities. At one end is fenced–off equipment, including swings and climbing frames and at the other side is an open play area with hills and ropes between trees to walk, new equipment (tyre swing, wobble dish) that can be used by children of various ages and abilities, and a quiet area with boulders and trees.

More information on

• Facilities at Barkingside Recreation Ground
• Hire the park for an event

Training businesses

To use the park for training businesses such as boot camps, personal training or sports coaching you will need to apply for a permit on the Vision website. For prices and more information call 020 8708 3141 (open 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm). 

How To Find Us

View Barkingside Recreation Ground on the map

Parking

View information on car parking and charges

Sport history

Sport has had a strong presence in the park and there are small memorials in the park in recognition for the work Ken Aston did for refereeing in football.

Ken Aston was a head teacher at a local school and was associated with these grounds for football. He became the first League referee to wear the black uniform with white trim which became the standard for referees. He also devised the system whereby referees show a yellow card for a caution and a red card for an expulsion, which was first used in the 1970 World Cup.

Cricket is also historical in these grounds and the resident cricket team, Ilford Catholic Cricket Club has played here since 1948.

Christchurch Green is a large open green space that is conveniently situated in Wanstead High Street. It's close to lots of local amenities and places to eat and drink. The medieval church still stands within the grounds of the open space and is still widely attended. 

This area is very popular especially in the summer where the public enjoy having a picnic on the grass. There is also a festival held on this green once a year, usually in September.

More information on

• Facilities at Christchurch Green Recreation Ground  
• Hire the park for an event

Training businesses

To use the park for training businesses such as boot camps, personal training or sports coaching you will need to apply for a permit on the Vision website. For prices and more information call 020 8708 3141 (open 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm). 

How To Find Us

View Christchurch Green Recreation Ground on the map

Claybury Woods and Park covers almost over 70 hectares, containing an ancient area of oak and hornbeam woodland (18 hectares) locally renowned for its variety of woodland spring flowers, including bluebells, veteran trees and fungi. 
The park is made up of extensive meadows, wildlife ponds, wetland areas, managed scrub land and many ancient/veteran trees, the site being managed for nature conservation.

For cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians the surfaced path provides a green traffic-free route, linking the north-west of the Borough with Fairlop. 

More information on

• Facilities at Claybury Woods and Park
• Hire the park for an event

Training businesses

To use the park for training businesses such as boot camps, personal training or sports coaching you will need to apply for a permit on the Vision website. For prices and more information call 020 8708 3141 (open 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm).

How To Find Us

View Claybury Woods and Park on the map

Claybury Woods and FSC certification

The ancient woodland has achieved Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification.  FSC* certification demonstrates that Claybury Park is being managed responsibly. The UK Woodland Assurance Standard forms the basis under which woods and forests in the UK obtain their FSC status.

Clayhall Park is a mature well-landscaped park set in the heart of one of Ilford's premier residential areas.

There is a formal rose garden, pagoda and an impressive avenue of mature horse chestnut trees. Complete with a small maze with wheelchair access, the Rose Garden provides beautiful scenery and a relaxing escape from the rest of the park.

The Park also has 2 play areas for younger children and for older children.

Facilities

• bowling green (Clayhall Bowls Club)
• café and ice cream parlour
• outdoor table tennis, play for free

More information on

• Facilities at Clayhall Park
• Hire the park for an event

Training businesses

To use the park for training businesses such as boot camps, personal training or sports coaching you will need to apply for a permit visit the Vision website. For prices and more information call 020 8708 3141 (open 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm).

How To Find Us

View Clayhall Park on the map

Café

Weather permitting, the Ice Cream and Tea Parlour is open seven days a week from 10.30pm to 7pm. The café closes earlier in winter months when the park closes at dusk. If have any enquiries, please contact the café on 020 8551 0907.

Parking

View information on car parking and charges

Martley Drive Play Area is a small but plentiful green space which is very popular among families with small children. The area benefits from a selection of play equipment that is designed for children under 8 years.

More information

• Facilities at Martley Drive play area 
• Hire the park for an event

Training businesses

To use the park for training businesses such as boot camps, personal training or sports coaching you will need to apply for a permit visit the Vision website. For prices and more information call 020 8708 3141 (open 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm).

How To Find Us

View Martley Drive Play Area on the map

Redbridge Recreation Ground is known for its vast variety of wild flowers and newly planted arboretum, providing a scenic natural environment. Framed by an expanse of naturalised spring bulbs in the north of the ground we have with many trees of interest.

The southern end of the ground provides areas for informal sport and also contains play equipment for children of all ages and abilities with a spider web climbing frame, roundabout, swings and floor markings for games like hop-scotch.

Situated at the top of Keswick Gardens, this park is also accessible from Roding Lane.

More information on

• Facilities at Redbridge Recreation Ground 
• Hire the park for an event

Training businesses

To use the park for training businesses such as boot camps, personal training or sports coaching you will need to apply for a permit on the Vision Website. For prices and more information call 020 8708 3141 (open 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm).

How To Find Us

View Redbridge Recreation Ground on the map

An outdoor garden located next door to a pub, the Children's Play Area offers a retreat for the kids, with a slide and swings, along with other equipment to keep them occupied.

All our play areas are fenced off from dogs and have safety surfacing underneath each piece of equipment.

More information on

• Facilities at Redhouse play area
• Hire the park for an event

Training businesses

To use the park for training businesses such as boot camps, personal training or sports coaching you will need to apply for a permit on the Vision website. For prices and more information call 020 8708 3141 (open 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm).

How To Find Us

View Redhouse Play Area on the map

This 140 acre woodland is grade II listed and has been managed by the City of London Corporation since 1881. Although situated within the Redbridge, it is not owned by Redbridge Council.

Part of Epping Forest and formerly the site of the historical Wanstead House, Wanstead Park retains a small number of original remains from the impressive 18th century mansion and includes the following features:

• diverse wildlife and plants
• landmark nature reserve known as 'Ornamental Waters'
• a range of artificial ponds and rough grassland
• a choice of walking routes across the terrain
• seasonal fishing on Perch Pond and Ornamental Waters which is free to members of the public 
• a small museum within the 'Temple', a restored outbuilding containing guides and artefacts from the original building
• 'The Grotto', a boathouse part of the original historic premises
• a kiosk serving hot and cold food
• is the venue for outdoor family events such as family craft days and Music in Wanstead Park which are organised by external bodies

Facilities

• four ponds
• museum
• refreshment kiosk

How To Find Us

View Wanstead Park on our map

Sound Walk

Put on your headphones and switch on your senses to enjoy a sound walk. Opening up a personal side of Wanstead Park, let local voices gently guide you around and let you into their memories.

It lasts for 45 minutes, do alone or with others!

Ask for devices and headphones at Wanstead and Aldersbrook Libraries.