Lost in the echoes of history Hornfair Park whispers tales of a vibrant past. This park wasn’t always a haven for recreation. Its story begins long ago. In 1268 King Henry III granted a three-day fair to Bermondsey Abbey. The Abbey owned Charlton Manor then. This might be the origin of Horn Fair. The fair’s date shifted to October 18th St Luke’s Day in the 17th century. One legend speaks of a king’s secret encounter with a miller’s wife. To appease the angered miller the king gifted land. This land is believed to be the “horn” of land across from the Isle of Dogs. Hornfair Park’s name remembers this boisterous fair.
The fair wasn’t always fun and games. It became notorious for riotous behavior. The Home Secretary shut it down in 1872. The cadets from Woolwich were known to cause trouble. Then in 1926 the London County Council bought the land. It was originally intended for housing but became Charlton Playing Fields in 1936. Three years later Charlton Lido opened. It was the last and smallest of four LCC lidos. The others were in Parliament Hill Brockwell Park and Victoria Park. Only then in 1948 did it get its current name Hornfair Park.
Hornfair Park is more than just a grassy expanse. It boasts generous sports facilities. A bowling green was a social hub. The Charlton Bowls Club thrived there from 1938 to 1990. Members recall friendly competitions and social evenings. A paddling pool offered summer fun for generations. Children’s memories include the distinctive assistant in her crossover overalls. She was a reassuring presence. The changing rooms are remembered as dark and industrial. Some children even found a way to sneak in for free.
Today Hornfair Park offers more than just memories. There is a BMX track. It was created as part of Greenwich Council’s Playground to Podium legacy programme. The park even has a connection to the Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery. It’s next to the park. Although it’s closed to burials now. The cemetery’s headstones are now part of the paving. The park continues to evolve but it carries the echoes of its unique and colorful history. The memories of the riotous fair the beloved Lido and the many who found joy in its open spaces. Hornfair Park remains a place of recreation and reflection a living testament to its past.