Norwood Park
Norwood Park is situated on one of the highest points in Lambeth and offers the visitor some amazing views across South London.
The park has a dog-free children's play area, paddling pool, a large multiuse games court, One O'Clock Club, a small wildlife community garden and picnic and sitting areas.
Norwood Park has an 'open' feel, balanced by avenues or copses of native and ornamental trees, as well as a wildlife area to the north of the site.
Address: Salters Hill, SE19
Train: West Norwood or Gipsy Hill, 0.2 miles (0.4km)
Tube: Brixton (Victoria Line), 2 miles (3.5km)
Bus: 2, 417, 450, 322 and 432 (to/from Brixton, Clapham, Crystal Palace, Tulse Hill and West Norwood)
See a location map for Norwood Park
Facilities
- Children's play area (dog free)
- One O'clock club
- Paddling pool
- Sports facilities:
- Basketball court - chargeable / booking required
- Football tarmac pitch - chargeable / booking required
- Hockey court - chargeable / booking required
Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) manages sports bookings in our parks. Please call them on 0845 130 8998 to make a booking.
- Toilets
Opening times
The park opens by 7.30am each morning and is closed approximately 15 minutes before sunset. See opening and closing times
History
This high ground was once completely covered with trees as part of an enormous area of native woodland known as the 'Great North Wood', which covered over 1,400 acres of the old County of Surrey. The North Wood was originally common land in the Manors of Croydon and Lambeth and most of it belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The North Wood was gradually lost to housing, fields and roads, and by the end of the 18th Century had almost disappeared. The Archbishop of Canterbury obtained an Act of Parliament in 1806 to enclose the remaining common land within the Manor of Lambeth and much of it was built upon. 33 acres remained as open space and London County Council acquired it in 1903 to create a new public park to serve the needs of a growing local population in West Norwood and Gipsy Hill. The new park was called Norwood Park and opened officially to the public in 1911. It was designed to retain many features of the old hilly common, along with avenues of trees, hedges, games court and playground.
New developments in Norwood Park
As a result of £500,000 worth of investment, the old games court in the north-western corner of the park along Elder Road has been replaced by a new all-weather multiuse games court with floodlighting and surround fencing.
Friends of Norwood Park
The Friends of Norwood Park represent those using and living around the park, playing an important role in its management and development for present and future generations. They organise regular meetings as well as events.
To join or find our more, please email Lambeth Parks at: parks@lambeth.gov.uk or tel: 0207 926 9000
Help us look after Norwood Park
Lambeth Parks and Greenspaces manages Norwood Park, which is patrolled by the Lambeth Park Rangers. The park also comes under the area patrolled by the Gipsy Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team of the Lambeth Borough Police, who work in close partnership with Lambeth Council, Park Rangers and the Friends of Norwood Park to ensure that it provides a safe and welcoming environment.
Norwood Park welcomes responsible dog walkers, but some areas are dog free, including the children's playground, sports facilities and wildlife areas. This is for the comfort and safety of children and their carers, and also helps protect local wildlife. The majority of the park can be used for exercising dogs off the lead, but please dispose of any waste properly.
Further information