open spaces
Discover the beautiful parks and open spaces in and around the Royal Docks.
Thames Barrier Park
Lyle Park
Royal Victoria Gardens
Beckton District Park
Newham City Farm
Mudchute Park and Farm
THAMES BARRIER PARK
Barrier Point Road, off North Woolwich Road, London E16 2HP
Telephone: 020 7511 4111
Nearest station DLR: Pontoon Dock
www.thamesbarrierpark.org.uk
Visit London's newest riverside park for 50 years, located in Silvertown on the north bank of the River Thames overlooking the Thames Barrier. Built on what was once Prince Regent's Wharf, a petroleum and chemical works, the 22 acre park was opened in November 2000 by Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, and in 2001 was the winner of a RIPA Award for Architecture. With fountains, playground and a tea pavilion, the park is popular with families.
The park is open every day (including holidays) from 07.00hrs to dusk with free entry and parking. The Visitor Pavilion and Coffee Shop is open from 10.00hrs to 16.00 hrs from Friday to Sunday and most weekdays.
LYLE PARK
Bradfield Road, Silvertown, London E16
Nearest station DLR: West Silvertown
Buses: 69 and 474
Open from Dawn to Dusk
A refreshing oasis in what is still an industrial area facilities include basketball, football, tennis, a play area and extensive gardens.
Lyle Park was opened in 1924 on land that was given to West Ham by the Golden Syrup manufacturer Abraham Lyle & Son for a riverside park for his factory workers and local people. A drinking fountain, erected by public subscription and dedicated to "the men of West Silvertown" who died in the First World War, is located in the park together with the original wrought iron gates from the entrance to Harland & Wolff Shipbuilding Yard.
ROYAL VICTORIA GARDENS
Albert Road, North Woolwich, London E16 5QJ
Nearest station DLR: King George V
Open from Dawn to Dusk
Opened in 1851 as the Royal Pavilion Pleasure Gardens, the park attracted large numbers of visitors who came to see the popular entertainments, including trapeze artists, hot air balloons, fireworks and open air dancing, at the adjoining Pavilion Hotel. Later the gardens became notorious as a haunt for prostitutes and other undesirables. Closed for a while, the gardens reopened in 1890 under their current name.
Today the gardens are very peaceful and amenities include a bowling green, tennis court, multi-use games court, paddling pool, play area and cafe.
BECKTON DISTRICT PARK
Strait Road, Beckton, London E6 5JP
Telephone: 020 8471 9066
Nearest station DLR: Beckton
Bus: 262, 300, 376
Open from Dawn to Dusk
This super expanse of greenery is tucked away. A charming path winds its way through woodland before opening on to a glorious meadow that blooms with wild flowers in summertime. The biggest plus is the large lake with a delightful shingle beach running down to its waters.
Fractious children can always be easily entertained by the millennium tree trail while keen fishermen cast their lines into the blue beyond. To fish, you must be a member of the Newham Angling Club but new members are always welcome.
NEWHAM CITY FARM
Stansfeld Road, Beckton, London E6 5LT
Telephone: 020 7474 4960
Nearest station DLR: Royal Albert
Bus: 300, 376, 262
Opened in 1977, Newham Farm is one of London's longest established city farms and boasts among other animals, pigs, sheep and pygmy goats and even birds of prey.
Visit Blaze the gigantic Shire Horse or taste the honey made in the farm's very own beehives. If you're lucky and visit at the beginning of March, you'll get to see the cute baby piglets, lambs and ducklings. The farm's pond is home to a host of geese and ducks.
The farm is open from 10.00hrs to 17.00hrs (summer) and 10.00hrs to 16.00hrs (winter) Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays and is free to visit.
AND NEARBY...
MUDCHUTE PARK AND FARM
Address: Pier Street, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9HP
Tel: 020 7515 5901
Nearest station DLR: Crossharbour, Mudchute or Isle Gardens
Buses: D1, D6, D7 or any service to Asda Isle of Dogs
Mudchute is the largest urban farm and park in Britain, covering over 30 acres of land. It was established in the late seventies by the Docklands' local community from a piece of derelict land.
There is a riding centre and school that caters for all riders from beginners to advanced, and is BHS approved .
Mudchute Park and Farm is open daily from 09.00hrs to 17.00hrs and entry is free.