Crane Park facts for kids
Crane Park is a large public park, about the size of 30 football fields, located next to the River Crane in western Twickenham. This beautiful park is split between two areas: the part north of the river is in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and the part south of the river is in the London Borough of Hounslow. It's a very important place for nature, known as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. It also contains two special areas called Local Nature Reserves: Crane Park Island and Pevensey Road.
Park History
Long ago, in the late 1760s, a factory called the Hounslow Gunpowder Works started operating where the western part of the park is now. This factory made gunpowder. Crane Park Island was actually created to help the factory. It was a special pond that held water to power the factory's machines.
The factory had many explosions over the years, which shows how dangerous making gunpowder could be! The tall building you see in the park, often called the Shot Tower, was once thought to be where lead shot was made. However, experts now believe it was a windmill. This windmill helped pump water back up to power the factory's mills.
The factory stopped making gunpowder in 1927. A part of the land was then sold to Twickenham Council. They decided to turn it into a park for everyone to enjoy. Crane Park officially opened in 1935. Later, in 1965, when Twickenham Council was no longer in charge, Richmond Council took over the park. The Shot Tower, now officially known as the Brick Tower, is a very old and important building. It is protected as a Grade II listed building.
Amazing Wildlife
Crane Park is a fantastic place for wildlife! It has big areas of woodland, open grassy fields, and the river banks. The park is carefully looked after to help animals and plants thrive. You might spot Marsh frogs hopping around, and even the rare water vole makes its home and raises its young along the river banks. The park also has interesting old structures from its industrial past, which are like clues to its history.
How to Visit
Even though Crane Park touches the London Borough of Hounslow, you can only get into it from the Twickenham side. There are many entrances to the park. You can find them on Crane Park Road, Ellerman Avenue, Hanworth Road, Mill Road, Great Chertsey Road, Hospital Bridge Road, and Meadway. If you enjoy long walks, the London Loop long-distance footpath actually goes right through Crane Park!
