Gunnersbury Park marks its 100th year as a public space this May with a large-scale community celebration. The event, scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday, May 25, commemorates a century since the grounds were officially opened to the public by British politician Neville Chamberlain in 1926.
📌 Key Highlights
* Centenary Party: Monday, 25 May, 11:00 to 16:00.
* Community Picnic: A 100-square-metre handmade patchwork blanket centerpiece.
* Live Music: Decades of hits starting from the 1920s jazz era.
* Heritage Tours: Access to historic kitchens and guided landscape walks.
* Local Stalls: Over 30 displays from Ealing artists, makers, and charities.
Community patchwork and sewing sessions
A 100-square-metre patchwork blanket serves as the celebration’s centerpiece. Created by local residents and groups including Southall Black Sisters, Himawari, and Trinjan, the ‘Gunnersbury Community Picnic Blanket’ represents the diverse history of the borough. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own food and gather on the communal fabric during the festivities.
Residents can still contribute to the project. The museum hosts community sewing sessions on Friday, May 8, and Sunday, May 10. No prior experience is required, and the sessions include vintage film screenings and refreshments while participants stitch pieces of local history.
Live jazz and traditional garden games
The entertainment lineup focuses on the park’s 1920s origins. Singland Jazz will lead workshops in the Charleston and Lindy Hop, while live bands perform music spanning the last ten decades. For younger visitors, the event features traditional outdoor games such as quoits and hopscotch.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main Event Date | Monday, 25 May 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 – 16:00 |
| Location | Gunnersbury Park & Museum |
| Cost | Free entry |
| Exhibition | Gunnersbury Unlocked (Running now) |
From Rothschild estate to public resource
Victoria Barlow, Gunnersbury’s head of museum services, noted that the park has served as a vital local resource since its transition from the private Rothschild estate. The “Gunnersbury Unlocked” exhibition, currently running in the museum, details this evolution, including the park’s role in supporting the war effort during World War II.
An outdoor photographic exhibition opens on July 4, featuring historic images from the last 100 years lined up with existing views. This allows visitors to compare the 1926 landscape directly with the modern environment. Gunnersbury Museum is also working with Young Curators to develop a digital photographic component to accompany the physical installations.
During the May half-term, the park will host a ‘toys and games trail’ featuring playthings from the last century. More than 14,000 children visit the museum annually on school trips to experience historical learning environments, including a preserved Victorian classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gunnersbury Park centenary party, and why is it significant for Ealing residents?
The centenary party is a free community celebration held on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25, 2026, marking exactly 100 years since the park was transformed from a private estate into a public resource. It commemorates the moment in 1926 when Neville Chamberlain opened the grounds, celebrating a century of the park serving as a shared green space for Ealing and Hounslow residents.
How can I participate in the community patchwork blanket project before the main event?
You can contribute to the 100-square-metre ‘Gunnersbury Community Picnic Blanket’ by attending sewing sessions at the Gunnersbury Park Museum on Friday, May 8, and Sunday, May 10. These sessions are open to all skill levels and include refreshments and vintage film screenings. On the day of the party, you are invited to bring your own food and sit directly on the finished patchwork masterpiece to enjoy the communal picnic.
What specific entertainment and local features can visitors expect during the celebration?
The event features a curated lineup of 1920s-themed activities, including Singland Jazz workshops for the Charleston and Lindy Hop, and live music covering every decade since the 1920s. Beyond the music, there are over 30 stalls featuring Ealing-based artists and charities, heritage tours of the historic kitchens, and traditional garden games like hopscotch and quoits for families.
Do I need to book tickets, and where can I find the final schedule for the Bank Holiday event?
Entry to the centenary party is free and no tickets are required for the general festivities. The event runs from 11:00 to 16:00. For the most up-to-date performance times and tour registration details, visit the official Gunnersbury Park & Museum website or check for local updates on beehiveweb.co.uk. If you miss the party, you can still view the ‘Gunnersbury Unlocked’ exhibition, which is currently running at the museum.
Source: Ealing Council
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