Mountsfield Park has a wide range of recreational pursuits for the more energetic, including basketball, football and tennis. There is also a children's playground for the younger visitor. For those who enjoy more passive pursuits the park has ornamental gardens and a bandstand.
With its central location and car parking facilities, the park is often used for large events. The Council holds its annual People's Day event here each July, which attracts crowds of over 30,000.
Although lower than Hilly Fields the park affords excellent views west over Catford to Crystal Palace in the distance.
Mountsfield Park takes its name from Mountsfield House, which in the mid 1840s became the home of Henry Stainton, an eminent entomologist. Nothing remains today of the house, which was demolished in 1905, but remnants of the gardens still exist.
The park was opened to the public on 7 August 1905 and interestingly played host to Charlton Athletic Football Club who played two seasons in the park in the early 1920s. The park is a 'key' park, patrolled by on-site park keepers.
Park location on streetmap