Victoria park

Victoria Park is located within the Bow East and Bow West Wards of Tower Hamlets. The whole of the park lies within tower Hamlets, but the park is bordered on its northern boundary by the London Borough of Hackney. It serves a large residential population in both boroughs and is the largest park within Tower Hamlets.

The park is the most popular outdoor visitor destination for borough residents and it also attracts many tourists and visitors from outside of the borough. It has many fine features including superb trees, avenues, lakes and floral displays. A wide range of formal and informal sports, sponsored activities, events and festivals take place throughout the year.

Victoria Park is a key link in a green corridor that stretches from the River Thames at Limehouse, along the Regents Canal and through Mile End Park. Beyond Victoria Park to the north and east is the Lee Valley Park, along with the newly emerging Olympic Park.

Victoria Park was created in the 19th century. Parliament passed an Act for the development of the park in 1841 following an outcry about the lack of parks in the East End, and fears that disease would spread from the stinking industries and slum population of 400,000.

The Government bought poor quality land that had been used for market gardens, grazing and gravel digging. The land was flat, with poor soil and little water but was cheaper than an alternative and larger site nearer the Thames.

The park was designed by James Pennethorne. It was an instant success, with local people using the Park as early as 1843, before works were completed. The site was extended 1872 when land originally set aside for residential development was incorporated into the park.

The park has passed through a number of managing organisations:- from the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1887, transferring to the London County Council in 1889, then the Greater London Council in 1965, then to Tower Hamlets in 1986 (initially with the borough of Hackney through a joint management board), becoming the sole responsibility of Tower Hamlets in 1994.

Many of the original features of the park have been lost or have deteriorated. The site was much bombed in WW2 and was not restored. In heritage terms the park is still of national importance as signified by its inclusion as a Grade 2 park on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

The council has a vision that Victoria Park should be restored and improved to be a highly-acclaimed, iconic landmark urban park; revealing its rich heritage and presenting an innovative and exciting recreation and leisure experience for the local and wider community. It is planned to submit an application to the BIG Heritage Lottery Fund in September 2008, for restoration of the park.

For more information please telephone 020 7364 3074 or email parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Victoria Park is 86.18 hectares in area size and falls under LAP area 4.

Grove Road
Bow
London E3

Nearest underground station: Mile End
Nearest rail stations: Cambridge Heath/Hackney Wick Station