Gunnersbury Park and Museum is set to celebrate 100 years of public ownership with a series of community-friendly events, including a major new exhibition and a grand community fete.
The festivities begin on 29th March with the launch of Gunnersbury Unlocked: From Private Grounds to Public Park. The exhibition’s aim is to explore how the park has been used and enjoyed by the people who lived, worked and played within its grounds.
“This is a very exciting year for Gunnersbury Park and we are delighted to be part of this celebration of an amazing place. Gunnersbury Unlocked tells some of the stories of the people who created, cared for and used this amazing local resource.” says Victoria Barlow, Head of Museum Services.
The exhibition will cover various chapters in the park and museum’s history over the last century, from its role in supporting the war effort during World War II to its initial transition from a privately owned Rothschild estate to a public park. It will be free to the public and run until the end of 2026.
Other highlights including a community fete on 25th May, and the centenary Family Dog Show on 21st June.
Preparations for the fete are already underway this Easter, when visitors are invited to contribute to the creation of a community picnic blanket, which will make its debut just ahead of the May fete. The finished result will be placed on the lawn outside the museum, for visitors to enjoy during the celebrations.
Centenary events announced so far Gunnersbury100: Egg Hunt
31st March-12th April
11am-4pm
£3 per child
100-year anniversary-themed Easter adventure with an egg hunt, fun games, and prizes to collect.
Gunnersbury Park’s 100th birthday party
Monday 25th May
11am – 4pm
Free
Join Gunnersbury for a massive party and celebrate the best that the park has to offer. Listen to live music from the 1920s, tour the park or Museum, explore community stallholder and makers’ market and enjoy kids’ crafts and games.
May half-term
Tuesday 26th May – Sunday 31st May
11am-4pm
£3 per child
Take the family friendly fun of the centenary fete right through May half-term with traditional Victorian games, activities, and crafts.
The Gunnersbury Family Dog Show
Saturday 21st June
11am-4pm
Free (small fee to enter each class)
Gunnersbury is hosting a family friendly dog show to celebrate its 100th anniversary, with friendly classes to join, stalls to visit and some special doggy guests to meet and greet.
Love Parks Week
Friday 24th- Friday 31st July
11am – 4pm (check website for specific tours)
Free (donations welcome)
Gunnersbury will be holding bird tours, bat walks, and tree tours with local experts. Also, from 11am-4pm all day, families can pick up a free spotting sheet and take part in nature based crafts in a special tent in the Park.
Open House and Heritage Open Days
Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th September
11am-4pm, (check website for specific tours)
Free
Go back in time to the 1900s for Open House and Heritage Open Days at Gunnersbury Park. Visit their Historic Kitchens and be introduced to the staff who worked ‘below stairs’ for the last owners of Gunnersbury Park, the Rothschild. Or, take a tour behind the scenes into their fascinating historic buildings, including the Grade II* listed Temple, and Grade II listed bathhouse.
October half-term: Haunted Park
Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November
11am-4pm
£3 per child
Learn all about spooky side of the natural world, and the legends associated with animals, plants and trees through storytelling, crafts and a trail.
Head to visitgunnersbury.org for more information.