Ravenscourt Park

Ravenscourt Park is a scenic green space with a selection of tennis courts - spread out in three areas of the park - basketball court, bowling green, lake and a kid friendly cafe - the Georgian stable block of Ravenscourt House. Beyond the cafe and by the entrance to Paddenswick Road a beautiful walled rose garden is tucked away. This used to be the kitchen garden of Ravenscourt House which occupied the higher ground near the cafe; up until 1941. Enter the 'secret' garden through the 18th century gates and you'll discover a beautiful hideaway where you can sit on a bench and escape the city. At the other end of the park, to the south, you'll find Ginkgo Garden Centre with its excellent Cafe Ginkgo under the railway arches to the south of the park, close to Ravenscourt Park Tube Station. There's been a park here since medieval times when Paddenswick Manor existed - the lake in the centre of the park is part of the moat that surrounded the house. But it was only in 1888 that the 32 acre site was officially opened as public parkland. In recognition of its longevity and historical past, the north-eastern corner has been designated as an Archaeological Priority Area with plane trees and cedars among the longest surviving.