Woodside Park, Wood Green

Woodside Park is a public park in Wood Green in Middlesex. The site was originally part of the much larger Chitts Hill Estate which covered a large part of Wood Green and beyond. Most of what later became the park was developed as Earlham Grove House and grounds in 1865.[1]
History

The site was originally part of the much larger Chitts Hill Estate which covered a large part of Wood Green and beyond. Most of the park itself became part of Earlham Grove House, which was built in 1865.[2] Former occupants include philanthropist Catherine Smithies (1785–1877), who founded the Bands of Mercy animal welfare group which later merged with the RSPCA.[3]
Wood Green local board of health purchased Earlham Grove House with 11 acres of land in 1893.[2] The park was laid out and by 1914 boasted a bandstand (demolished at some point between 1957 and 1973). A pavilion was erected by the bowling green before 1935.[4]
Facilities
The park has a mix of open ground, trees, a play area, a bowling club and a sensory garden.[5] There are also a number of important buildings in the park, including:
- George Meehan House - formerly Woodside House and, before that, Earlham Grove House
- Mushroom House or Round House - the former gate house to Chitts Hill House, built in 1822 and now Grade II listed.[6]
- The old pavilion - now used as a privately run children's nursery
- I Can Care Building - providing for the Asian elderly
- Fatisa - a restaurant
Outside links
| ("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Woodside Park, Wood Green) |
References
- ↑ Pinching, Albert (2000). Wood Green Past. Historical Publications.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The History of George Meehan House". London Borough of Haringey. https://www.haringey.gov.uk/libraries-sport-and-leisure/culture-and-entertainment/visiting-haringey/archive-and-local-history/history-woodside-house. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ↑ "London Remembers - Catherine Smithies". London Remembers. https://www.londonremembers.com/subjects/mrs-catherine-smithies. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ Parks & Gardens UK
- ↑ London Borough of Haringey Management Plan 2016
- ↑ National Heritage List 1294459: Children's Mushroom Playhouse at Town Hall Park