Ever heard of a park that’s hosted duels, military drills, and Olympic marathons? Right here at Wormwood Scrubs, that’s just a taste of its vibrant past. Wormwood Scrubs, also known locally as “The Scrubs” or simply “Scrubs”, sprawls across 67 hectares, making it one of London’s largest commons. Its history stretches back to 1189, when it was known as “Wormhold Scrubs,” meaning “shrubland by snake-forest.” Originally common land for grazing, Wormwood Scrubs has seen its fair share of transformations. In 1812, the War Office leased a large portion of Wormwood Scrubs to exercise cavalry horses, replacing their previous training grounds in Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. This marked a shift from pastoral peace to the thunder of hooves. The arrival of the railway in the mid-1800s further carved up the land, creating what is now known as Little Wormwood Scrubs. The Wormwood Scrubs Act of 1879 aimed to preserve the area for both military training and public recreation. This dual purpose has shaped Wormwood Scrubs into the unique space it is today. You can still see remnants of its military past, like the wall within the Linford Christie Stadium, originally a rifle butt. Wormwood Scrubs also played a role in the 1908 Olympic Marathon, with the route passing directly through it. And who knew, during World War II, this very park housed a secret outpost of the Government Code and Cypher School, the same codebreakers stationed at Bletchley Park. Wormwood Scrubs has been more than just a park. It’s a piece of London’s living history. A place where the echoes of duels mingle with the cheers of athletes, and the secrets of war were whispered beneath the trees.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to