Barn Elms

Barn Elms is an open space in Barnes in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

It is located on the northerly loop of the River Thames between Barnes and Fulham.

The WWT London Wetland Centre (105 acres of what were once reservoirs) lies to the north of the open space, now largely given over to sporting venues. The site is split in two: the Barn Elms Playing Fields (managed by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames) and the Barn Elms Sports Centre (managed by the London Borough of Wandsworth) which includes a boathouse as well as a sports centre. Beverley Brook flows across the southern part of the open space, joining the Thames almost opposite Craven Cottage.

There are facilities for much amateur sport, such as football, rugby, tennis, softball and cricket, and an athletics track. It is also the home ground for Barnes Eagles FC,Stonewall FC and London French RFC. The facilities were under threat of commercial development until the local community petitioned Richmond Council. To ensure the future of Barn Elms as playing fields the community has created the Barn Elms Sports Trust.

In April 2013, Barn Elms Sports Trust were officially awarded the management contract of the Barn Elms Playing Fields following a 12-month interim management period. During this time, substantial improvements were made in the form of a new London Marathon Pavilion with 8 changing rooms, a community room, a grounds shed, a car park, 6 tennis courts, 4 cricket nets and new playing fields.

The oldest plane tree in London is located at Barn Elms.

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