About Wormwood Scrubs
At 76.8 hectares, Wormwood Scrubs is the borough's largest open space and is the most recent addition to the 21 parks and open spaces in H&F to have been awarded Green Flag status.
The eastern half is a huge expanse of grass big enough for sports pitches and space to fly kites, run about and picnic. The western side is more overgrown. Areas of woodland, scrub and meadows with grass paths and nature trails give an opportunity to explore and see nature up close.
The 'Scrubs' has about 18 hectares of tree cover and 22 hectares of long grass meadow with almost 100 species of birds and 250 species of wildflowers (one sixth of the UK flora).
Leisure facilities include play areas, walking and cycling routes, sports pitches, a model aircraft runway and much more.
Location
Scrubs Lane
White City
W12 0DF
Transport links
Nearest tube: East Acton (Central)
Buses: 220, 283, 72
Walking directions
From East Acton tube, turn left along Erconwald Street, for a short distance and you can see Wormwood Scrubs from the top of the road. Turn right and walk a very short distance along Braybrook Street to access the main path on the left which runs along the boundary of the prison.
Main entrances to Wormwood Scrubs are from Scrubs Lane, Artillery Way (off Du Cane Road) and Braybrook Street.
Facilities
- play areas for 0 to 13 year olds
- football pitches (9 full size / 7 junior size)
- rugby pitch / Lacross (available on request)
- Gaelic football pitch (2)
- baseball diamonds (seasonal)
- outdoor gym (2)
- Linford Christie Outdoor Sports Centre (Astroturf pitches / Athletics track / Grass Centre pitch / Netball court / Archery area / Changing rooms / Community room).
To book or find further information on sports facilities go to sports bookings.
Upcoming works
In the autumn and winter months, our grounds maintenance contractor (Idverde) undertakes their annual programme of scrub and bramble management activity across Wormwood Scrubs.
Read about the Wormwood Scrubs maintenance works.
History
In the early 19th century the whole district was open fields and included several areas of common land. In 1812 an area of 77 hectares known as Wormwood Scrubs was leased by the war office from the Manor of Fulham in order to exercise cavalry horses.
In 1879 Parliament passed The Wormwood Scrubs Act, which aimed to create a "metropolitan exercising ground" for the military and to provide the Scrubs for "the perpetual use by the inhabitants of the metropolis for exercise and recreation". Under this act, the military were able to expel civilians from the Scrubs whenever they were training, but allowed civilians free use of the area when they were not.
To ensure that the Scrubs were kept as open land for all to enjoy, the act banned the military from building any permanent structures other than rifle butts, one of which survives today as a wall in the Linford Christie Stadium. Wormwood Scrubs remains one of the largest open spaces close to Central London.
Friends of Wormwood Scrubs
The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust
The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust exists to ensure that this much valued area of open space is used for the exercise and recreation of Londoners. The affairs of the Trust are managed by the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee.
The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee minutes and agendas
Annual Trustees Report 2017-18 (pdf)
VIDEO: Cllr Alex Sanderson celebrates the Scrubs' Green Flag
Watch our Wormwood Scrubs video on YouTube.
A Masterplan for Wormwood Scrubs
We are developing a Masterplan that will improve the Scrubs allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of exercise and relaxation.
Find out more about the Masterplan for Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs and HS2
HS2 is building a new Old Oak station adjacent to Wormwood Scrubs on its northern edge. Find updates and background information on Wormwood Scrubs and HS2
Planning and regeneration
Transforming our borough - Old Oak Common – H&F's view of regeneration