Outdoors  Features

Picnic-Perfect Battersea Park

BatterseaPark1

Published on
September 5, 2017

Share

It’s not one of London’s eight ‘Royal Parks’ but it’s just as majestic – Battersea Park first opened in 1858 and covers 200 acres.

Before it was a park, the area was known as Battersea fields, a popular spot for duelling. It hosted a famous duel between the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Winchilsea in 1829. The area also consisted of fertile marshes where carrots, lavender, melons and the famous ‘Battersea Bunches’ of asparagus were grown.

In 1845, a bill was put forward to Parliament for the creation of a royal park, laid out by Sir James Pennethorne. The success of it all depended on the opening of Chelsea Bridge that enabled Londoners to access the park easily.

A few fun facts:

  • Hosted the first football game under the rules of the Football Association (9 January 1864)
  • Home to amateur football team Wanderers F. C.
  • Had the world’s oldest football team play there in the 1860s: Sheffield F. C.
  • Harboured anti-aircraft guns during WWI and WWII
  • Transformed into the ‘Pleasure Gardens’ during the Festival of Britain celebrations in 1951

Some notable attractions:

  • There’s a small children’s zoo
  • A boating lake
  • A bandstand
  • Sporting facilities (all-weather tennis courts, running track & football pitches)
  • Pump House Gallery
  • Peace Pagoda
  • A brand new playground!

So whether you’re looking to soak up the sun, go for a run or just have some fun, Battersea Park is always a good shout.

For more information about Battersea Park, visit wandsworth.gov.uk/batterseapark

 

Keep up to date with all things Nine Elms by signing up to our newsletter below.


Related Stories