Boston Manor Park

Boston Manor Park is a large public park in the London Borough of Hounslow. A combination of woodland and open space, with an area adjoining the Grand Union Canal, it was created in 1924 from part of the historic estate of the 17th-century stately home Boston Manor.History of the parkThe Boston Manor estate is thought to date back to at least 1163 and had a series of influential owners. At one time, it was part of the estate of royal financier Thomas Gresham, who also owned neighbouring Osterley Park. The house that survives in the centre of the park dates from 1623. Just under a century later, the grounds were described as comprising: "gardens, walls, walks, courts, 5 fish ponds... Plantation and nursery computed to be 3 acres... Whole being well wooded and watered." In 1670, the estate was sold for just over £5,000 to the Clitherow family, and it remained in their ownership for the succeeding 250 years.In the late 18th century, some land was sold to enable construction of the Grand Junction Canal (later to become a section of the Grand Union Canal), with Clitherow Lock – then the second lock from the Thames – being built on the estate. By the late 19th century, this part of London had become urbanised and increasingly shabby, but the estate remained a rural island – containing fine views, historic trees, roses and kitchen garden.Estate dispersal and park openingBy 1918, the Boston Manor estate had become untenable and the Clitherow family decided to sell it. Estate agent's particulars described an estate containing glasshouses for growing melons and cucumbers, grapevines and a 200-yard herbaceous border. The house did not reach its reserve price so, in 1923, Colonel Stacey Clitherow sold the manor and 50 acres to Brentford Urban District Council. Some land was developed as housing and the park was opened to the public on 11 September 1924.