Woodside Park, Wood Green

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In Woodside Park

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

"Round House" or "Mushroom House"

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
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References