The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 1,937; and the area was characterised by farming, woodland and the fishing fleet at Barking. This last industry employed 1,370 men and boys by 1850, but by the end of the century had ceased to exist; replaced by...

, one of the outer London borough

London borough

The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. Inner London comprises twelve of these boroughs plus the City of London. Outer London comprises the twenty remaining boroughs of Greater London.-Functions:...

s, has over 25 parks, gardens and open spaces within its boundaries. These provide the "green lungs" for leisure activities.

Principal open spaces

Apart from smaller green areas such as sports grounds and smaller gardens, the following are the major open spaces in the Borough:

Barking

• Barking Park
  Barking Park
  Barking Park, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, in east London, is a park covering just under 30 hectares to the east of Barking town centre. It lies north of Longbridge Road, and is near the boundary with Loxford. The park was the first council controlled park in the Borough, and was...
  
  
• Greatfields Park
  Greatfields Park
  Greatfields Park, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, east London, is a public park of just under 6 hectares. It lies just north of the A13 road , and is bounded on other sides by Greatfields Road, Movers Lane, and Perth Road.It contains tennis courts, playgrounds, flower gardens, and...
  
  
• Newlands Park
• Essex Road Gardens
• Central Area Open Space
• Quaker Gardens
• Barking Abbey
  Barking Abbey
  The ruined remains of Barking Abbey are situated in Barking in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in east London, England, and now form a public open space.- History :...
  
   Ruins
• Barking Town Quay Open Space
• St. Margaret's Churchyard

Dagenham

• Central Park
• Valence Park and Valence House
  Valence House Museum
  Valence House Museum is the only surviving example of the five manor houses of Dagenham. The timber framed museum building, partially surrounded by a moat, is situated in Valence Park off Becontree Avenue, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, London, England.The museum contains permanent...
  
   Grounds
• Parsloes Park
• Mayesbrook Park
• Pondfield Park
• Old Dagenham Park
• Castle Green
  Castle Green, London
  Castle Green is a park and suburb in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, United Kingdom. The locality is close to Creekmouth and is part of the Becontree estate....
  
  
• Goresbrook Park
• Eastbrookend Country Park
• King George's Field
• The Leys

Marks Gate

• Marks Gate Open Space (Also known as Tantony Green)
• Kingston Hill Avenue Recreation Ground

Mayesbrook Park, in the borough is one of 11 parks throughout Greater London

Greater London

Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...

 chosen to receive money for redevelopment by a public vote in 2009. The park received £400,000 towards better footpaths, more lighting, refurbished public toilets and new play areas for children.

Water

The River Thames

River Thames

The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...

 forms the southern edge of the borough. In many places there is a Thames Path

Thames Path

The Thames Path is a National Trail, opened in 1996, following the length of the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton. It is about long....

, following the river, however views are problematic due to the high flood defences and industrial premises on the waterfront.

The River Roding

River Roding

The River Roding is a river in England that rises near Dunmow, flows through Essex and forms Barking Creek as it reaches the River Thames in London....

 forms the western boundary with the London Borough of Newham

London Borough of Newham

The London Borough of Newham is a London borough formed from the towns of West Ham and East Ham, within East London.It is situated east of the City of London, and is north of the River Thames. According to 2006 estimates, Newham has one of the highest ethnic minority populations of all the...

. This is accessible around the Town Quay area, Barking

Barking

Barking is a suburban town in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, in East London, England. A retail and commercial centre situated in the west of the borough, it lies east of Charing Cross. Barking was in the historic county of Essex until it was absorbed by Greater London. The area is...

's former port.

External links

• LB B&D Parks dept.