Ealing Common

Ealing Common

Ealing Common is a large open space, of about 47 acres, in Ealing, in Middlesex. It gives a name to a local London Underground station, and consequently to the area surrounding the station and the common.

It is common land, as designated by the 1866 Metropolitan Commons Act.

Location

• Map: TQ184803
• Location map:51°30’36"N, 0°17’38"W

The Common is bounded by Gunnersbury Avenue to the east and the Uxbridge Road to the north. A smaller area of the common extends to the east of Gunnersbury Avenue, including Leopold Road. The western boundary includes The Common and Warwick Dene, with Elm Avenue to the south.

The wider 'Ealing Common' area of townscape may be considered to run up to Ealing town centre to the west, North Ealing and Hanger Hill to the north, with Acton to the east and to the south.

History

On Monday, 20 August 1733, a cricket match of some status was played on the common between Ealing & Acton and London Cricket Club. The result is unknown but the terms of the match were "for £50, play or pay", a substantial prize. London was the sport's premier club at the time. This is the only mention of Ealing & Acton and of Ealing Common in the surviving records of early cricket. The strength of the Ealing & Acton team cannot now be determined but the stake was high and the match was reported in a newspaper, Berington's Evening Post.

Wildlife

Ealing Common preserves a large area of open space with fine avenues of horse chestnut trees, most of which were planted in the late Victorian period, following the purchase of the common land by the Ealing Local Board. The northern part of the common has a large English oak tree at its centre, and London plane trees are also found with the horse chestnuts around the perimeter of the common. Charles Jones was the borough surveyor responsible for the layout.

In the south-west corner of Ealing Common there is a small enclosed park, called Warwick Dene, with rose beds at its centre.

References

• Buckley, G. B.: 'Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket' (Cotterell, 1935)