Residents Association
of
West Wimbledon
Parks
RAWW is fortunate to have 3 parks within its area. These are Cottenham Park (entrance in Cambridge Road and Melbury Gardens), Holland Garden (entrances in Cambridge Road and the top of Pepys Road) and Morley Park (entrances in Cottenham Park Road and Atkinson Close). The parks are open from 8am midweek and 9am at weekends with locking up taking place at sunset.
Cottenham Park was named after Charles Pepys, Lord Cottenham who owned the park as part of a 250 acre estate in 1831-51 when most of the land was sold for development. The park comprises 3.21 hectares and has a modern pavilion, 6 tennis courts, cricket pitch and playground. Some of the London plane trees along the park boundary date from 1898.
Holland Garden was given to the council in 1928 by Lady Holland in memory of her husband. The garden comprises a large green area, lovely borders and paths, together with two tennis courts.
Friends of Holland Garden
Morley Park was officially opened in May 2019 and was created following sustained activity by RAWW for this area to be designated and managed as a public open space. It forms the south-western area of what was the Atkinson Morley Hospital site and was leased to the Council by Berkeley Homes for use as a public park as part of the planning consent. Friends of Morley Park was set up in August 2017 to work with the Council and their maintenance contractor to improve and protect the park. The upper section of Morley Park comprises woodland, meadow and a pond. The woodland area is listed as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and is home to a variety of birds with badgers foraging. The lower section by Cottenham Park Road mainly comprises playing fields and an associated pavilion that is leased by Ursuline High School. All parts are accessible to the public during standard opening times except the playing fields when in use, although there is access to a path around the playing fields.
