Ealing marks Gunnersbury Park centenary with massive community picnic
Gunnersbury Park reaches its 100th anniversary this May, transitioning from a private Rothschild estate to one of West London’s most significant public spaces. To mark the milestone, a large-scale celebration on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 May, will transform the grounds into a hub of live music, historical tours, and community art.
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* Live Music: Performances spanning every decade from the 1920s to the present day.
* Interactive Dance: Workshops featuring the Charleston, Lindy Hop, and Singland Jazz.
* Heritage Tours: Access to the historic kitchens and guided walks of the century-old landscape.
* Local Makers: Over 30 stalls showcasing regional artists, charities, and community groups.
Community patchwork to cover 100 square metres
The centerpiece of the festivities is the ‘Gunnersbury Community Picnic Blanket.’ This 100-square-metre patchwork consists of individual squares hand-stitched by local groups, including Southall Black Sisters, Himawari, and Trinjan. Residents are invited to bring their own food and gather on this collective artwork during the centenary celebrations in Ealing.
Final sewing sessions for those wishing to contribute to the blanket take place at the museum on Friday 8 May and Sunday 10 May. These sessions require no prior experience and include vintage movie screenings and refreshments for participants.
Historical exhibitions and landscape tours
Victoria Barlow, Gunnersbury’s head of museum services, confirmed that the park has always functioned as a “park for people.” The museum is currently hosting ‘Gunnersbury Unlocked,’ an exhibition detailing the site’s evolution, including its strategic role during World War II.
A second, outdoor photographic exhibition is scheduled to open on 4 July. This installation will align historic 100-year-old photographs with contemporary views, allowing visitors to see the physical transformation of the gardens over the last century.
Century of public service data
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Opening | 21 May 1926 by Neville Chamberlain |
| Annual Educational Impact | 14,000+ children visit for school trips |
| Centenary Event Time | Monday 25 May, 11am – 4pm |
| Community Blanket Size | 100 square metres |
| Exhibition Schedule | ‘Gunnersbury Unlocked’ runs until year-end |
For younger visitors, a ‘toys and games trail’ will run during the May half-term, showcasing playthings from the past ten decades. Traditional outdoor games like quoits and hopscotch will also be set up across the lawn to mirror the entertainment available when the park first opened in 1926.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Gunnersbury Park centenary celebration on May 25th?
This event marks exactly 100 years since Gunnersbury Park transitioned from the private Rothschild estate into a public landmark for West London. On Bank Holiday Monday, 25 May, the park will host a massive community picnic and festival featuring live music spanning every decade since the 1920s, interactive dance workshops (like the Charleston and Lindy Hop), and exclusive access to the site’s historic kitchens.
How can I participate in making the 100-square-metre community picnic blanket?
Residents can contribute to the ‘Gunnersbury Community Picnic Blanket’ by attending final sewing sessions at the museum on Friday, 8 May, and Sunday, 10 May. These sessions are free, require no prior experience, and provide all necessary materials along with refreshments and vintage movie screenings. The completed patchwork will be the central gathering point for the picnic on the 25th.
How does this centenary event impact the local Ealing and West London community?
Beyond a simple celebration, the event serves as a platform for over 30 local makers, charities, and community groups to showcase their work. By involving organizations like Southall Black Sisters and Trinjan in the creation of the picnic blanket, the project fosters social cohesion and honors the diverse cultural heritage that has shaped Ealing over the last century.
What are the next steps for those who cannot attend the May Bank Holiday picnic?
The celebrations continue throughout the summer. You can visit the ‘Gunnersbury Unlocked’ exhibition at the museum now to learn about the park’s wartime history. Additionally, a new outdoor photographic exhibition launches on 4 July, which will feature a side-by-side visual comparison of the landscape’s evolution from 1925 to 2025. For full event schedules and tour bookings, check the official Gunnersbury Park and Museum website.
Source: Ealing Council
