West Ham Park in east London is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a festival of music, sport, and family fun this July.

The park, which is the largest green space in the London Borough of Newham, has been managed by the City of London Corporation since 1874, providing a vital space for recreation, learning, and reflection among beautiful gardens and stunning plant life.

A series of celebratory events and activities will be held over the weekend of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July 2024 to mark this significant milestone in the park’s history.

The first day will comprise a free, family-friendly festival with local musicians, arts and crafts, a children's fun fair, and local food stalls.

The event will have a festival atmosphere and also feature up-and-coming artists: Australian-born singer-songwriter and social media sensation, Celina Sharma, rising Tik Tok star and singer-songwriter, Fiaa Hamilton, and a DJ set from Ellis.

The second day will carry a sports focus, based around the theme of ‘give it a go’ where visitors can try out various sports and health activities, including football (delivered by the West Ham United Foundation), cricket (delivered by Capital Kids Cricket), tennis (delivered by TennisComeTrue), athletics, Tai Chi, and long-boarding. And there will be free taster sessions and opportunities to meet local sporting legends.

Visitors can also see an outdoor exhibition about the park’s history, which will be on display in Guildhall Yard – outside the City Corporation’s headquarters – prior to the event, and later moved to Aldgate Square after the weekend celebrations.

The original Upton House estate, acquired in 1762 by Dr John Fothergill, laid the foundations for the rich natural heritage Londoners cherish today. After Fothergill's death in 1780, the Gurney family purchased the estate. In 1874 they facilitated the transfer of the land to the City Corporation, creating what is now West Ham Park.

Chair of the City Corporation’s West Ham Park Committee, Caroline Haines, said:

“West Ham Park has been a vibrant and beautiful place for local people to enjoy for 150 years. It is a vital part of the community, offering diverse recreational opportunities, educational programs, and a serene environment for reflection.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on the history and contributions of those who have helped shape the park into the cherished green space it is now. Our anniversary events are a testament to the community spirit that West Ham Park continues to foster, celebrating nature, diversity, and community, and we look forward to many more years to come.”

Chair of the Friends of West Ham Park, Charlotte Cook, added:

“West Ham Park is a much-loved space for the community, used by young and old, sporty and the more sedentary alike! It offers space for all, amidst a blend of nature and history, and is a fundamental part of much needed green space in this much developed part of East London.

“For almost 20 years, our volunteers have played a crucial role alongside the hard working team at the City of London Corporation to help maintain the park's beauty and vibrancy.

“This milestone is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved in preserving and enhancing this cherished green space – and we are delighted to be a part of it.”

West Ham Park attracts 2.2 million visitors each year, which is the equivalent of 35 times the capacity of London’s Olympic stadium in nearby Stratford, and is a Grade II listed site.

It has 12 tennis courts, three cricket nets, football pitches and a grass running track used by local schools for sports days during the summer months. There is a large children's playground – which recently underwent a £750,000 investment project – as well as a bandstand, historic ornamental gardens, and a community vegetable garden.

A recent report revealed that West Ham Park is worth £9.9 million every year in benefits to society and delivers a benefit-to-cost ratio of 11.7, which means that every £1 spent on maintenance delivers £11.70 in public benefits.

The park forms part of a network of 11,000 acres of internationally important open space managed by the City Corporation across London and southeast England.

The organisation spends £38 million a year on maintaining its open spaces. Many of these sites operate as charitable trusts and are run at little or no cost to the communities they serve.

They include a wide variety of critically important wildlife habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, and National Nature Reserves, and are protected under legislation.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

All activities across both days are completely free and start at 12pm. For more information, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/westhampark150

Local bands include: the Dog Jammers, Forest Voices, Popes Dealer, Samba Drums, Lakehouse Bell & Funk Crawl.

On-stage music and DJ entertainment provided by Straight Forward Group – www.straightfwdmusic.com