Community Spotlight: Lampton Park
Lampton Park is a peaceful green oasis in Hounslow, a busy London Borough, close to Hounslow West tube station.
There are two distinct sections, with playing fields to the north and the more formal park, landscaped with paths and an abundance of flowers, grass and some wonderful trees, to the south. There are tennis courts, a children’s playground, a small pond and a memorial garden.
The new Civic Centre adjoins the park to the north and in the west, near the entrance from Harte Road, an area is maintained for nature conservation.
Video by Nasza Wysp
In 1951 a Sarsen Stone (silicified sandstone blocks found across southern England) that had been unearthed at a gravel works in Heston in 1926 was installed in the park.
Sarsen Stone by Thomas Nugent, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile was established in Lampton Park in the International Year of Peace, 1986. Sri Chinmoy was an important advocate for world peace, and also a keen runner. This was the first example of a Peace Mile set up in London.
Lampton itself is a small area of Hounslow that derives it’s name from the Old English for ‘lamb farm.’ It was traditionally the property of the Bulstrodes, lords of the manor of Hounslow, from the 18th century onwards.
They planned to create grand housing along the Lampton Road, but these plans didn’t come to fruition and the area remained a small agricultural hamlet until the late 19th century, when it started to be developed as a result of the extension of what is now the Piccadilly line to Hounslow.
Lampton Park was laid out on land previously used for agriculture, part of which was an orchard which was purchased by the Heston and Isleworth Urban District Council in 1925. It was opened on 31 May 1930 by George Lansbury MP, First Commissioner of Works.
Today, the park is a tranquil area for contemplation or a friendly chat – ideal for a Befriendee and a Befriender to take a stroll on one of their regular visits.
