Park of the week

174. Goodwood Recreation Ground

I found this park by looking at the Watford Borough Council website. It’s in north Watford but nowhere near Goodwood Racecourse (in Sussex), unfortunately for those who like to follow the geegees. 

The park was opened in 2008, before when it had been an open field. This field, and the woodland that forms part of the park, had been part of the Earl of Essex’s Cassiobury Estate. It now contains open areas of grassland planted with hundreds of daffodils, picnic area, football pitch, outdoor gym and the woodland. It has a play area, which children from two local primary schools had a hand in designing. Carved wooden benches represent some of the wildlife found in the park.

Dog walking is allowed but there’s also a dog-free area and there’s lots of space to walk in, with or without a dog.

As the park was awarded the Green Flag Award again in 2024, the Council need to update their sign on the gate. I imagine, though, that there’d be complaints about the needless expense of doing so. There are no toilets or café. There isn’t a car park, but we found space to park on a nearby street.

Judith Field

Goodwood Recreation Ground, Minerva Drive, Watford WD24 5LD