Park of the week

205. Elmhurst Gardens

Elmhurst Gardens is in South Woodford. It’s visible from the Benighted North Circular and Jack noticed it while we were on our way to a different Redbridge park and asked to visit it. He’d spotted a “big lying down swing” as we sped past, so onto our to-visit list it went.

The gardens, also known as Gordon Fields, are situated on land that was formerly part of the Elmhurst Estate. The land was acquired by the local authority in 1921 and the park was laid out and opened in July 1927 as Woodford Recreation Ground.

In 2020, a red oak tree came crashing down in the gardens. The logs left over after the council stripped the tree down became the inspiration to raise money for park improvements and as park of the project various creatures (dragons, badgers, hedgehogs) were carved from some of the logs by chainsaw artist Marshall Lambert.

It’s a Green Flag Award Park with a variety of mature trees and a landscaped resting area in the centre, planted with shrubs and bulbs. There are two tennis courts, an outdoor table tennis table and a children’s play area. There are toilets but no café.

Judith Field

Elmhurst Gardens Gordon Road London E18 2RJ