Woodside Playing Fields

Albans Wood

Woodland

Albans Wood, a small area of semi-ancient woodland dating back to 1600, is planted with mature beech and oak, and supports a rich variety of wildlife. Muntjac deer, red fox and grey squirrel can be seen in the wood, and birds include nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker and tree creeper, chiffchaff and blackcap in the spring. Pipistrelle and noctule bats can be spotted on bat walks.

Albans Wood is to the west of the playing fields. It was declared a local Nature Reserve on 21 June 2006. If you would like to become a member of the Friends of Woodside Playing Fields and get involved in erecting bat and bird boxes, clean-up and planting days, please contact 0203 567 6900

Show on map

Athletics Stadium

Sports Pitch

A top athletics stadium with eight lane track. Home of Watford Harriers

Show on map

Bowls

Bowling Green

Home of OWLS outdoor bowls club. Contact – 01923 661289

Show on map

Car Park

Car Park

Large free car park

Show on map

Cricket

Sports Pitch

Home of Watford Town Cricket Club

Show on map

Football pitches

Sports Pitch

Five adult, one junior and two six-a-side football pitches. To check availability or book contact Veolia on email: enquiries.watford@veolia.com or tel: 0203 567 6900

Show on map

History of Woodside

Site of historical interest

Woodside Playing Fields was part of the original Woodside estate, which includes Albans Wood.

The wood was named after the Roman soldier who became a Christian, was martyred and gave his name to our neighbouring city of St Albans.

During the closing years of the 19th Century, the estate was owned by a Mrs H Wood.

It is clear from the grandeur of its trees and the manner of their grouping that it must have been a wonderful country home.

The estate was purchased by a Mr Burgess, who introduced sheep farming onto the estate, and the next owner, Mr Cobb, established a high reputation as a breeder of pedigree cattle.

The first instance of sport being played on the estate came with the arrival of another owner, Mr Williams Owen, who also specialised in breeding and training horses, but for the purposes of polo.

Distinguished polo players from London came to the estate to take part in matches.

Woodside had a part to play in the war effort too, when it became a depot for the ATS; then, following the war, the estate was purchased from the Cobb family by the Watford Corporation to be used for housing and playing fields.

Woodside House and farm was built in 1860/61, but was demolished in 1959: however, some of the buildings, known as the stables, can still be seen, used nowadays as the changing rooms and the Parks Department’s depot at the top of the park.

The letters ‘GAC’ can be seen on the buildings, referring to George Alley Cobb whose family owned the house from 1905 to 1948, when it was purchased by Watford Corporation.

Farm workers were housed on site, and there were tied cottages at Poor Dell, Horseshoe Lane (in the area of Cart Path), which were knocked down to build the Leisure Centre.

Show on map

Indoor bowls

Sports Court

Considered to be one of the best in the country. Home of Watford Indoor Bowls Club

Show on map

Nature

Wildlife

The playing fields offer large areas of open grassland, and a number of mature trees are dotted around the grounds. Daffodils, crocuses and bluebells provide colour in the spring

Show on map

Play Area

Playground

Play area for children up to the age of 12 with the following equipment;-

Show on map