Wormwood Scrubs

From Freepedia

Wormwood Scrubs (known locally as The Scrubs) is an open space located in the north-eastern corner of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London. It is the largest open space in the Borough, at 80ha (200 acres), and one of the largest areas of common land in London; the eastern part of it (known as Little Wormwood Scrubs) is cut off by Scrubs Lane and the West London Line railway. It has been a public open space since the Wormwood Scrubs Act of 21 July 1879 was passed, and is recognised by English Nature as an important site of natural significance. Although it has an unenviable record, due to crime committed there, it has recently (April 2005) had a volunteer-led operation of rejuvenation [1]

In the early 19th century the whole district was open fields, and included several areas of common land. Old Oak Common, to the north of The Scrubs, is now mainly the site of carriage sidings at the entrance to Paddington Station, and also (at nearby North Pole) sidings used to stable Eurostar trains; to the east of that there is the West London Crematorium and Kensal Green Cemetery. Historically, the The Scrubs was recognised as the duelling ground of London; later it was used by Household Cavalry drill ground. [2] [3]. In 1910 it became part of aviation history when a pioneer airship flight left from here. It remained as an emergency landing ground until the 1930s.

The southern edge of the Scrubs has two important buildings on it. At the western end is HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs, built between 1875 and 1891 by convict labour. To the east of the prison is the Hammersmith Hospital campus, which includes the relocated Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital.

Within the area there are several sports facilities: the Linford Christie stadium; a football ground; and a pony centre.

A suspect package linked to the 21 July 2005 London bombings was found in bushes in Little Wormwood Scrubs.