Ravenscourt Park is a 20.5 acre public park with tons to do in and around it. You can spend the entire day here when the weather is nice, just bring a picnic blanket and some sandwiches, or better yet, eat lunch at one of the onsite cafes. And if it’s raining, there are covered areas to have a cup of tea and watch the rain come down. The London Underground Train Station is nearby.
There is a North Playground, South Playground, sandpits, a bowling green, tennis courts, community garden, fields, paths, a shallow pool, cafes, a lake, little bridges, wildlife, a preschool, kids sport leagues, and a lot of history.
During the summer you may find carnivals and events. Oh, and ice cream. There is usually the local favorite delicious Mr. Whippy ice cream truck parked onsite.
Park History
Ravenscourt Park is the remnant of the medieval Palingswick Manor dating back to the 12th century. The lake is fed by Stamford Brook and was part of the moat of 13th century house.
It was named ‘Ravenscourt Park’ in the 18th century after being purchased by Thomas Corbett in 1747. Mr. Corbett had a raven in his coat of arms.
Over the centuries, Ravenscourt Park was almost destroyed and used for housing when the early 19th century owner employed Humphry Repton to landscape the park. However, the Metropolitan Board of Works acquired it in 1887 and opened to the public in 1888.
During World War 2, Ravenscourt Park House was damaged by bombing and then demolished. All that remains of the original house are small stable blocks and a few former estate cottages around the perimeter. The London bombings of July 7, 2005 took the life of engineer Giles Hart and a to him memorial is now in the Park.
Keira and Lauren Score
“The best part of this playground is the splash pad and climbing and merry go rounds!”
Playground Equipment
- Slides
- Swings
- Climbing structures large and small
- Sandpit
- Monkey bars
- Toddler area (South Playground)
- Older kids area with big equipment
- Wading pool in the summer and Scooter park in other seasons
- Merry Go Round
- Teeter Totters
- Rope equipment
- Bridges
- Nets
The wading pool / splash pad is a scooter park and skate park for kids when it’s too chilly to fill up.
Nearby Amenities
There are 2 places to eat at the park. The Fait Maison is a French and Mediterranean restaurant that also has cakes and ice cream. The W6 Garden Centre and Cafe is set in a garden center where you can purchase plants, if you’d like. You can have a coffee and piece of cake while enjoying it’s beautiful botanical surroundings and breathing in all that glorious oxygen. There are tons of restaurants just outside the park, too.
It’s fun to pack up the stroller, let the kids play at the park for a few hours, grab a bite to eat, then go for a stroll down busy King Street, which is the Hammersmith/Chiswick (pronounced chis-ick) High Street. You can will find miles of shops and restaurants and things to look at.
The closest London Underground (train) station is Ravenscourt Park Station.
Summary
| Appropriate Age | All ages |
| Bathrooms: | Yes |
| Food and Drink Nearby | Yes |
| Parking | Yes, street |
| Slides | Yes |
| Swings | Yes |
| Monkey Bars | Yes |
| What Kids Love Most | The splash pad pool in the summer, the huge climbing structures (my 5 year old did great), the merry go rounds, and teeter totters. |
Pictures
