| Barra Hall Park | |
|---|---|
 Barra Hall, Hayes | |
 Interactive map of Barra Hall Park | |
| Type | Public park |
| Location | Hayes, Hillingdon, Greater London |
| Coordinates | 51°31′04″N0°25′24″W / 51.51778°N 0.42333°W /51.51778; -0.42333 |
| Created | 1923 (1923)[1] |
| Operated by | London Borough of Hillingdon |
| Status | Open year round |
| Parking | On-site lot |
Barra Hall Park is an 11.06-hectare (27.3-acre)[2] formal park situated near the centre ofHayes in theward of Wood End in theLondon Borough of Hillingdon. The park came into existence in December 1923.
The main entrance to the park is off Freemans Lane. There are ten entrances all together, spread around the perimeter of the park.
Barra Hall Park came into existence on 20 December 1923 when the thenUrban District Council (UDC) of Hayes bought the Hall and its grounds from Ms Ethel Penfold for £5,700 in order to use it as atown hall.[1] Later alterations by the UDC brought the total to £7,000. The Barra Hall building was officially opened as town hall on 23 February 1924 and its grounds became amunicipal park withplayground,tennis courts and apaddling pool opened bymusic hall starJessie Matthews. In 1965, Hayes UDC was integrated into theLondon Borough of Hillingdon (LBH) and the hall was eventually supplanted by the new Civic Centre inUxbridge as main council office.[1]
The Barra Hall building was originally amanor house, formerly known as Grove House. In the late eighteenth century it was home toAlderman Harvey Combe, electedLord Mayor of London in 1799. It passed ownership and in 1871 was bought by Robert Reid. Reid was an auctioneer and surveyor and claimed to descend from theReids of Barra. After enlarging and refacing the building he changed its name to Barra Hall in 1875.Army Cavalry were stationed here duringWorld War I. On 6 October 2005, a renovated Barra Hall was opened as aSure Start children's centre.[1]
Barra Hall Park features ornamentallawns,recreationalgrass areas,rose andshrubbeds,seasonal bedding and numerous maturetrees.
The main building within the grounds is a grade-twolistedmanor house, which was at one time thetown hall forHayes andHarlington.[3]
There is alsoBarra Hall Open Air Theatre, abandstand, a refreshment kiosk and a children's play area.
The195 and H98 stop near Barra Hall Park on Church Road, and the U4 stops near the park at Barra Hall Circus.Hayes town centre is approximately 1 km away, with its many other regular bus services.
The closest railway station isHayes and Harlington, which is a little over 1 km walk away.
On-site parking is available. Street parking (Park and Pay) may be found on the surrounding roads near to the entrances.
