The Padnall Lake Orchard is the last remnant of the fruit trees of Padnall Hall estate, which in 1901 was a farm. There are 12 trees including pears, apples and plums. Most of the trees are over 80 years old, with 1 plum and 2 apple trees planted more recently.
Where can you find it: Padnall Lake, Marks Gate Dagenham, Romford, RM6
Nearest station: Chadwell Heath
Can I visit: Yes
Orchard owner & carer: London Borough of Barking & Dagenham rangers department
History
The orchard is the last remnant of the orchards of Padnall Hall estate, which in 1901 was a farm. Padnall Lake is 0.5 hectares in size and was first opened in the 1950s during the construction of the Marks Gate Estate. The estate was built on 163 acres of land formerly owned by local smallholders dating back as far as the 1700s and prior to that the land was part of Hainault Forest.
Biodiversity highlights & habitat
Padnall Lake won Green Flag Award for Community 2013/14.
Community
Local residents care for the site through work days which have included harvests, litter picking, hedge cutting and pruning.
Learn more about orchard restoration and our Celebration of Orchards project here.
To the best of our knowledge, the information on this webpage is correct, but it is possible that some of it is out-of-date.