Barking Park, London

Barking Park is a public park in London. Located in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, it covers an area of around 30 hectares. The park was created during the Victorian area and was opened to the public in 1898.

The two main highlights of Barking Park are its boating lake and its miniature railway. The boating lake measures 910 meters in length. At one time, a steam ship called Phoenix II operated on the lake. This is similar to the steam ships that ply the Mississippi River. It operated on the lake until 1967.

Water fountain, Barking Park
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_Fountain_in_Barking_Park_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1732206.jpg
Author: Adrian Cable


There is a war memorial on Barking Park commemorating the men from Barking who perished in the First and Second World Wars. The memorial was still being visited with commemorative ceremonies, especially on Remembrance Day.

The miniature train at Barking Park first began operations in the 1950s and was operational until 2005, when its owner stopped the service. The three-coach train runs on a 9½-inch track which leads from the park entrance to a turntable at the lake. Along the way it passes through a level crossing which was once opened for public access to the park, but is now permanently closed.

How to reach Barking Park

You can take the London Underground train to Barking Park, disembarking at the Barking Tube Station.

List of Parks in London