Waterlow Park Barbecues

After the very large number of barbecues in Waterlow Park last March Camden Council imposed a temporary ban on barbecues in the Park. Over the summer there was a ban on barbecues in all Camden’s open spaces because of the fire risk following our long spell of hot dry weather. The barbecue season in Waterlow Park is over for 2025 and there are no barbecues permitted until the spring of 2026 in any case
A petition to ban charcoal barbecues permanently was started by two local residents which gathered about 1,400 signatures and was heard by the Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee of Camden Council on 14 July 2025. The Committee decided to take no immediate further action but to await the outcome of the current engagement process involving the Barbecue Working Party which was reporting to the Waterlow Park Trust Advisory Group.
That report recommended that, since there was no plan for the barbecues to be effectively managed, charcoal barbecues in the Park should be banned. The Trust Advisory Group endorsed that recommendation and sent the report with their comments to the Camden officer who undertakes the duties of the trustee of the Waterlow Park Trust, who may refer the decision on a ban on barbecues to the relevant Council committee. That process is intended by Camden to be complete before the 2026 barbecue season. We shall keep you updated on progress.

27 July 2025

Updated 27 November 2025