Park of the week

131. Phillimore Recreation Ground

Phillimore Recreation Ground is Radlett’s largest park, providing 16 acres of parkland. 

It was presented to Radlett in 1921 as a memorial to the recently deceased Robert Phillimore, a Liberal politician who had lived in Radlett. It remained largely untouched and in April 1926; at Radlett annual parish meeting, one attendee described it  as “A hideous dump for rubbish,” and, at present, looking ‘‘more like a goods yard. It began to be developed in 1930 and a bowling pavilion was also built then.

As Robert’s widow Lucy had provided much of the money, she came to open it in July of that year. At that time, on impulse, she also donated an extra strip of land next to the Recreation Ground. She had originally intended this strip for housing, but it became a children’s play area, and still is to this day. The Herts Advertiser reported 18 July 1930 that ‘…she noticed how a good deal of what were once open spaces were being built on, so they had to do something in Radlett before their open spaces were used up’.

The park now includes a recently refurbished children’s play area, playing fields, a multi-use games area including a tennis court and a woodland area.  There’s also an outdoor gym, bowls club and allotments. It has a car park, toilets and a café. I recommend it whether you have kids or not, as there's plenty of room to walk. A path runs all around the edge, so don't worry about getting muddy shoes.

Judith Field

Phillimore Recreation Ground, Gills Hill, Radlett, WD7 8AL