It can be fun to take your ageing loved one to an historic park or structure near Wembley. It might even jog their memory of times gone by.
Our Care Professionals at Home Instead Wembley love to take their clients out on trips whenever possible. And what could be better than a visit to some of the lovely historic parks, gardens and other places of interest in the area? To get you started, here are four of our favourites.
King George V Memorial Gardens
One scenic place to visit with your elderly loved one is the King George V Memorial Gardens, at the north end of Canons Park in Stanmore. Canons Park was originally owned by the priory of St. Bartholomew in London’s Smithfield district. After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry V, it was eventually taken over by the Duke of Chandos.
The King George V Memorial Garden is a lovely walled garden which used to be part of the duke’s kitchen gardens. When the park was opened to the public in the 1930s, the garden was redesigned. Seniors will enjoy seeing the evergreen trees and the central square pool, surrounded by a raised terrace with steps, formal flower beds and a pavilion. In 2007, the garden and the park were restored as a result of help from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Car parking (with charges) is available in Donnefield Avenue and at Canons Park tube station.
King Edward VII Park
King Edward VII Park, close to Wembley Stadium, is also well worth a visit with a senior. The park dates from the early 20th century and was first opened to the public in 1914. The land was bought by the Council in memory of the late king and was also seen as an open space that could replace Wembley Park.
The park originally had a lodge, a rustic bandstand, a refreshment pavilion, a pond and a drinking fountain. It’s still used today for a wide range of sports and leisure activities. Your elderly friend or relative will love seeing the wild meadows, the many trees and being taken along the well-maintained paths. Most of the paid parking (e.g. St John’s Road or Dukes Way) is about a ten-minute walk away from the park (longer with a slow senior).
Dollis Hill House
A slightly different place to visit is Dollis Hill House, built in 1825. One of the early owners was Lord Tweedmouth, a senior member of the Liberal Party. His daughter married Lord Aberdeen and they lived in the house from 1881. Eminent visitors included prime minister William Gladstone – who spent long periods there over many years – and the author, Mark Twain. In the early 20th century, Willesden Council bought the grounds and then the house. Gladstone Park was subsequently developed, with views across London.
The house was turned into a restaurant and became an auxiliary military hospital for convalescing patients during the First World War. The house gradually deteriorated but was given Grade II status in 1974. It was damaged by arson attacks in 1996 and demolished in 2012, although some low walls remain, showing the layout of the house. Elderly visitors will enjoy seeing the rose garden next to the Stables have since been landscaped. Dollis Hill House is located in the north London suburb of Dollis Hill, in Gladstone Park.
Brent Reservoir (Welsh Harp)
Brent Reservoir (also known as Welsh Harp) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest; located in North West London. The Canal and River Trust has looked after the Welsh Harp, in collaboration with Brent and Barnet Councils, since 2012. It was previously the responsibility of its predecessor, British Waterways. Many reservoirs were built in the 18th and 19th centuries to help replace leakages from the expanding canal network. The building of Brent Reservoir began in 1834. It underwent further expansion in 1854, covering much of the area now taken up by the Brent Cross shopping centre and other nearby retail outlets.
In the latter half of the 19th century, William Walker used the reservoir for recreation and entertainment. He bought a former coaching inn nearby called the Welsh Harp. Today, the reservoir provides habitats for a wide variety of wetland birds and plants. For an elderly guest, the area can form a quiet and interesting contrast to the hectic urban life all around.
Just because people get older, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they lose interest in the history of the places around them. So it can be good to take a walk in some well-known sites around Wembley and perhaps explain just a little bit about their background. If it stimulates the senior’s interest at the same time, all the better!
If you’d like to know a bit more about our history, or about our home care services in Wembley, please contact us so we can have a chat!