Brentford Rewind: History of Boston Manor Park

By Hannah Davenport 16th Nov 2021

Boston Manor Park is a designated Conservation Area. (Image: Hounslow Council)
Boston Manor Park is a designated Conservation Area. (Image: Hounslow Council)

Created in 1924, Boston Manor Park is home to Boston Manor House, a Grade 1 listed, Jacobean manor house built in 1623.

Spanning 11.36 hectares, the large public park was part of the Boston Manor estate and now surrounds the house in a combination of woodland and open space, with an area adjoining the Grand Union Canal.

Together the Park, River Brent and Grand Union Canal form a unique historic and ecological green space and are designated as a Conservation Area.

The construction of the M4 motorway in 1964-5 was the biggest alteration to the park landscape, dissecting the park from north-west to south-east perimeters.

The Grand Union Canal and River Brent run along the western perimeter, the canal taking in what is now known as Clitheroes or Clitheroe's Lock.

The park is accessed from Boston Manor Road on the eastern perimeter.

The 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.

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 Clitheroe Lock – then the second lock from the Thames – being built on the estate.

The Clitherow family were to remain in the possession of the house until 1924.

By 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.

Boston Manor Park recently secured £3,634,600 National Lottery funding to enhance, conserve, interpret and engage with diverse local communities.

The Reconnection Boston Manor Project received planning approval in 2020 and is said to take about 2 years to complete.

     

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