West Ham Park 150th Anniversary

West Ham Park

150 years of nature, diversity, and community

West Ham Park has been a vibrant and beautiful place for the community to use and enjoy since 1874. Managed by the City of London Corporation since then, West Ham Park offers recreation, play, learning opportunities, places to socialise, beautiful gardens for quiet reflection and amazing plants and trees which are stunning all year round.

History

Documents relating to the Park date back to 1566 and show that the site was originally part of the Upton House estate (later known as Ham House), before being acquired in 1762 by philanthropist, Dr John Fothergill. Fothergill was a collector of plants and created a botanic garden in the site that is now West Ham Park.  Some of the trees he planted can still be seen in West Ham Park including a Ginkgo Biloba, planted by Fothergill in 1763 which is one of the oldest of the species in the UK.

The Gurney Family purchased the estate after Fothergill's death in 1780 and members of their family lived there for nearly 100 years. Ham House was demolished in 1872. In 1874, the philanthropic Gurney family organised a transfer of the land to the City of London Corporation so it could become West Ham Park - a public green space and the largest park in Newham. 

Celebrating the anniversary

150th Anniversary - WHP150 Fest

20 July, 12 noon to 6pm

Celebrate West Ham Park's big anniversary at this free, family friendly event featuring: an opening ceremony, music from well known pop artist, Celina Sharma, up and coming star, Fiaa Hamilton and DJ sets from Ellis. Also a showcase of local talent with live performances from the Dog Jammers, Forest Voices, Popes Dealer, Samba Drums, Lakehouse Bell and Funk Crawl dance, history tours, nature art and crafts and much more.

150th Anniversary - Give it a Go Festival of Sport

21 July, 12 noon to 4.30pm

Get involved and try out a new activity at this day of sport, health and well being. Sports on offer include: Football sessions aimed at families delivered by the West Ham United Foundation, Cricket from Capital Kids Cricket, TennisComeTrue, family activities from the Friends of West Ham Park, Tai Chi, Meditation, Long-boarding and more. Free taster sessions will be on offer plus a chance to meet sporting legends. More details to be announced soon.

And across both days there will be:

• a children's fair (paid tickets)
• circus workshops and performers
• soft play
• face painting and temporary tattoos
• scavenger hunt
• tree spirit trail
• photo exhibition
• bike workshops
• stalls with local produce
• food

Check out the event listing.