Since opening to the public in 1900 Walthamstow’s Lloyd Park has been enjoyed by generations of local residents. Once the private grounds of what is now the William Morris Gallery, it was donated by the Lloyd family to the Walthamstow Urban District Council in 1898 for public use. In 1912 the park was extended when the council purchased 16 acres of the adjoining Aveling Park Estate. Then as now the park was the perfect place for leisurely strolls around the formal gardens and beyond, and facilities including tennis courts and a bowling green enabled more active pursuits. Professional lawn tennis tournaments, cricket and football matches were well-attended regular fixtures, including the Sunday Newspapers Cricket League, and for a brief period in the early years the park was home to Walthamstow Avenue Football Club.