Danson Park

Danson Road, Bexleyheath, Kent

Danson Park is a very popular public park which provides a large number of facilities for both active recreation or for those who simply like to walk and enjoy its many facets. Arguably the park is the most widely-known and appreciated in Bexley and hosts many major annual events which are regarded at national and regional status. The location, size and open landscape of Danson Park have proved an attraction for large outdoor public events such the Danson Festival, Water Festival, Open Air Concert, Firework Display, Fun Run, Craft Fayre, South East Counties Motor Show, Dog Show and a Circus.

Location and access

Danson Park is situated between Bexleyheath and Welling and can be reached by bus, for information please see www.tfl.gov.uk/buses. The park also can also be reached by car from the A2 via A221 or A207. It has a public car park.

History

Danson Park is designated Grade II on the English Heritage register of parks and gardens of special historical interest. It occupies more than 180 acres of land. Records show that an estate at Danson has probably existed since before the 13th Century. At that time the estate would have been arable land, pasture and woodlands.

As Bexley's flagship park, Danson Park is recognised nationally for its historic landscape and buildings. In 2004 the Council successfully attained a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of the historic setting of the grade I listed Danson House and surrounding area.

The park was originally set out as a private estate and its design has been attributed to Capability Brown and to a Mr Richmond. It provides an excellent setting for the 18th Century Mansion which an immensely wealthy merchant John Boyd purchased the site and built Danson Mansion (below), designed by Robert Taylor (who also was the architectF of the Bank of England) in the style of a classic Palladian villa, between 1762 and 1767. At the same time the gardens were laid out in a style appropriate to such an important house. The Danson Mansion, which is a Grade 1 Listed Building surrounded by attractive ornamental gardens, is leased to English Heritage for 999 years from 1997, and is open to the public on special viewing days only. The park became a public open space in the early 20th Century when the Bean family sold the property to the Urban District Council of Bexley. The Mansion has currently undergone extensive restoration by English Heritage and will eventually be managed by a trust.

[Danson Mansion]

The Charter Oak
A large oak tree (pictured below) in the centre of Mid Park has been recognised as one of the "Great Trees of London". It is now over 200 years old. The tree was part of the Danson Mansion estate and now provides a central feature to the park scene. It was under this tree on 30 September 1937 that Lord Cornwallis presented the Charter which elevated Bexley from an Urban District Council to a Municipal Borough. This oak tree is now featured on the Borough Coat of Arms. The tree has now been enclosed to protect its delicate root system and increase the amount of valuable moisture.

[The Charter Oak]

Park Facilities
There are extensive facilities in the park. Recreational facilities include football, lawn and hard surfaced tennis courts, an 18-hole putting course, a 9-hole pitch and putt course, bowling greens, a trim trail, an orienteering course and cycle routes. There is a popular children's playground, pub restaurant, refreshment kiosk and extensive car park. A function suite is available for public hire at the Boathouse, located just off Danson Road (A221).

[Danson Lake]

The park also has a 7.8-hectare lake (Danson Lake, above) which provides for fishing, boating, sailing and other water-based sports which are managed by London Borough of Bexley. Danson Park Watersports centre teach and extensive range of courses for adults and children from the age of 8years. The lake and jetty facilities are also used by Erith Rowing Club, Meridian Canoe Club and licensed members of the public for small dinghy sailing and the use of windsurfing craft at approved times. Model boats can use a specified part of the lake away from the jetty area by the island.

For further information contact the Danson Park Water Sports Centre on 020 8303 2828 or visit Danson Park Water Sports for details on activities.

[Swans on the lake] Nature Conservation
Overlying the London clay, Danson Park comprises an extensive area of gently undulating parkland and a large lake. Because of its origin, the park has escaped the urbanisation of the area that took place after the First World War. It has emerged as one of the most valuable havens for wildlife in the area. Bexley is committed, as part of Local Agenda 21, to protecting and enhancing the flora and fauna of the park, whilst at the same time providing for the recreation needs of the general public.

Gardens
There are three gardens open to the visitors, namely the Old English Garden opposite the Mansion, the Rock Garden at the western end of the park and the Peace Garden which can be found off Lakeside Close at the south-eastern corner. At the western end of the lake the area known as the Bog Garden has been established as a nature reserve.

[One of the gardens at Danson Park]

The Stable Block
"The Danson Stables" is a popular public house operated by Bass Taverns Ltd., telephone 020 8303 2071.

Facilities

The Boathouse Kiosk
Provides refreshments including:
- Ice Cream
- Hot & Cold drinks
- Chocolates
- Crisps
- Burgers
- Hot Dogs
Open from Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm. Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
Dog-free areas and dog facilities:
There are several dog-free areas within the park, these being:
- Children's Playground
- Rock Garden
- Old English Garden
- Mansion Garden
- Peace Garden
- Tennis courts
- Pitch and putt course
- Bowling greens
There are 14 dog bins located around the park for dog owners to deposit waste.
Park's features and facilities:
- Old English Garden
- Rock Garden
- Water Garden
- Mansion Garden
- Woodlands
- Danson Lake
- Children's Playground (dog-free)
- 11 standard football pitches
- One junior football pitch
- Changing facilities
- 20 grass tennis courts
- Six hard tennis courts
- One 18-hole putting green
- One 9-hole pitch and putt course
- Trim trail and orienteering course
- Two bowling greens operated by local clubs under delegated management arrangements
- Public car park (priced parking in Summer; free in Winter)
- Cafeteria
- Toilets

General Information
The following points of contact are provided for further information:

Events (Hire of Parks)
Tel: 020 8294 6528
Hire of Boathouse (more information about the Function Centre)
Tel: 020 8308 7510
Park Ranger Service
Tel: 01322 356865
Hire of Recreation and Sports Facilities
Outdoor Recreation
Tel: 020 8294 6188
Bowling Green
Consortium Secretary, Mr. Read
Tel: 020 8310 3252
Highways and Amenities
Tel: 01322 356850
Turfsoil Ltd.
Tel: 01622 814063
Bass Taverns Danson Stables Restaurant
Tel: 020 8298 6681

Danson Park Opening and Closing Times
The park opens at 07:30 Monday to Fridays and 09:00 Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

During the winter (November to January), the park closes at 16:30.
During spring and summer, closure is at sunset and times are displayed at each gate.

Friends of Danson Park
London Borough of Bexley has adopted a policy to encourage community involvement in our parks. One of the ways this is being done through the establishment of "Friends Groups". These groups all work with the council to help secure the future of our park sites and to increase community involvement. Danson Volunteer Day every third Saturday in the month.

Other Active Local Groups
Bexley Civic Society
Bexley Natural Environment Focus Group
East Wickham Conservation Volunteers
Foots Cray Meadows preservation group
Friends of West Heath
Lesness Abbey Conservation Volunteers
North West Kent Countryside Project

If you are interested and would like to know more about joining a group, please telephone London Borough of Bexley's Nature Conservation Officer on 020 8294 6558 or email parks&openspaces@bexley.gov.uk.