Northolt and Greenford, London Borough of Ealing, Greater London
Northolt & Greenford Country Park
Mixed-habitat reserve
Source image
5.7
Wildland
1–2 hours, Half day
Time
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Cost
Big-sky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.7Four grassy hills rise beside the A40 at Northala Fields, made from rubble from the original Wembley Stadium and White City shopping centre. They are the striking centrepiece of a much larger patchwork of meadows, woodland, ponds, wetlands and canal-side green space.
The park turns a fragmented suburban landscape into a surprisingly varied nature-and-walking day: climb Northala’s engineered mounds for wide views, then explore meadows, woodland, ponds and canal-side habitats across a green corridor spanning more than 100 hectares.
Big-sky · Family-buzz · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapNortholt and Greenford, London Borough of Ealing, Greater London
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The experience
Start with the distinctive mounds and panoramic viewpoint at Northala Fields, then choose a longer wander among its lakes, wildlife ponds and meadows. With more time, explore other parts of the connected country park, including canal-side paths and woodland. Water-based recreation permissions are not verified.
Things to do
Climb Northala’s viewpoint mound
Follow the gently sloping spiral path on mound three to reach a panoramic viewpoint. On a clear day, the council says views include central London and Canary Wharf.
Allow around 30–60 minutes
Explore the ponds and wetland habitats
Walk among Northala Fields’ wildlife ponds, streams and wetland habitats. Look and listen for wetland birds and invertebrates; sightings are not guaranteed.
Allow around 30–60 minutes
Look across the meadow habitats
Notice how the mounds support different grassland and wildflower habitats, alongside woodland, scrub, streams and swales. The council describes the varied habitats as part of the park’s biodiversity design.
Allow around 30 minutes
Follow a path beside the Grand Union Canal
The canal runs through the wider country park. Include a canal-side stretch in a longer walk, checking a current map for a suitable route and access points.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: Northala’s hills and view
- 01
Enter Northala Fields from a suitable park entrance.
- 02
Walk to the four conical mounds and take the gently sloping spiral path up mound three for the panoramic viewpoint.
- 03
Return via the park’s paths, allowing time to look across the ponds and meadow habitats.
Half day · About half a day
Make a half day of it: mounds, ponds and habitats
- 01
Begin at Northala Fields and climb mound three for the wide view across the area.
- 02
Explore the park paths around the six fishing lakes and three wildlife ponds; do not assume fishing or boating permission without checking current rules.
- 03
Continue through the meadows, streams and wetland habitats, looking for birds and seasonal flowers.
- 04
Use the visitor centre café and toilets if open; check current availability before setting out.
Verified history
Northolt & Greenford Country Park is a linked belt of green spaces across the north-west of Ealing. Ealing Council says Northala Fields opened in 2008 and covers 27.5 hectares. Its four large mounds were formed using material from the original Wembley Stadium and White City shopping centre; the former playing fields were bought by Ealing Council in 1997 for development as a park. Northala Fields was designed to combine recreation with wildlife habitats. The wider country park also includes places with older histories: Ealing Wildlife Group reports archaeological finds at Northolt Manor, including Iron Age pottery and Roman roof tiles, and describes the manor as dating back to Saxon times.
Hidden details
A changing landscape built from demolition material — The four Northala mounds were formed from rubble from the original Wembley Stadium and White City shopping centre, then shaped into distinct habitats with different soil conditions.
A mosaic made with local young people — At Northala Fields, a colourful mosaic celebrating learning in Northolt was designed by students and constructed with young people and local community members, supported by artists and local projects.
When to go
April · May · June · July · December · January · February · A clear morning for the viewpoint and wildlife watching; quieter periods may be preferable at busy weekends and on sunny days.
Spring and early summer bring meadow flowers and active breeding-season birds. Winter offers a different perspective on the wetter habitats and seasonal birdlife. The park’s open mounds make clear conditions useful for the view.
The paths include gravel, crushed brick and tarmac, and some slopes are steep. Check conditions after heavy rain, particularly around waterside paths, and take care in windy or exposed weather on the mounds.
What to look for
Look for the four conical mounds, the changing grassland and wildflower habitats on their slopes, wetland ponds and streams, and the mosaic celebrating learning in Northolt. In the wider park, watch and listen for birds in woodland, meadow and reedbed habitats.
The story
Industry, Archaeology
Best time to go
Spring to early summer for flowering meadows and active birdlife; winter can be rewarding for birds around the wetter areas.
Try a clear morning for views from the mounds and quieter paths. Late spring and early summer are good times to look for meadow flowers and birds; winter can bring interest around the wetland habitats.
How long to spend
1–2 hours, Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · Families
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A large, connected belt of green space with multiple entrances. Ealing Council lists access from Kensington Road and the Target roundabout area, and says Northolt station is about 800 metres away. Access is affected by the A40 and Grand Union Canal; check current park opening and route information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
Ealing Council lists two car parks for Northala Fields, on Kensington Road and by the A40 slip road near the Target roundabout. Parking availability and conditions can vary; check before travelling and do not obstruct local streets.
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Toilets
Visitor centre public toilets are listed by Ealing Council. Check current opening and availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
A café is listed at the Northala Fields visitor centre. Check current opening before relying on it.
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Dogs
Check current rules before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm dog access or restrictions.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Ealing Council describes a mixture of tarmac, crushed-brick and gravel paths, some steep slopes, and a gently sloping spiral path to the viewpoint on mound three. This does not establish that every route or facility is accessible; check current conditions and your needs before visiting.
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Cost
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Check before visiting
Water
Canal, ponds, lakes, streams, wetlands
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Northolt & Greenford Country Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
