Danson Park

Danson Road, Bexleyheath, Kent

History

Danson Park is the remnants of a late eighteenth century/early nineteenth century parkland estate designed by an assistant to Capability Brown, Nathanial Richmond. He designed the park in the mid-eighteenth century but evidence suggests that his proposals were not fully implemented and consequently the chosen restoration period is 1805, when a sale plan clearly shows the detail of the park. The sale plan also shows the affect of the demolition of the wings of the house to construct a separate stable block to the northwest and the development of gardens around the house. The remnants of the house are Grade 1 listed and have been recently restored by English Heritage to this period.

Grant

Danson Park is Bexley's flagship park and it is recognised nationally for its historic landscape and buildings. In 2004 the Council successfully attained a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund Public Parks Initiative (HLF) of £1.6m for the restoration of the historic setting of the grade I listed Danson House and surrounding area.

Project Details

The restoration project concentrates on the core of the early nineteenth century landscape and looks forward to providing improved facilities for park uses in the 21st century. For ease of description the project area is divided into 4 main areas:

The Mansion Gardens and Ha Ha
The Restored Parkland and Heather Walk
The Overflow Car Park and Events Space
The New Children's Play Area and Kiosk

Download posters showing artist's impressions of what is planned (2.61MB, PDF file)

Mansion Gardens
The Mansion Gardens is the area immediately around Danson House. Some of the renovations are as follow:

Recreation of a brick ha ha and removal of the buried ha ha to the south.
Renovation of the gardens.
Railings around the gardens to connect to the house.
Paths through the gardens and around the house.
Resurfacing forecourt with gravel.

Artist's impression of restored parkland, looking toward the lake Restored Parkland and Heather Walk (Historic Viewing Area)
This is located to the west of the house, extends southwards as far as the southern hedge, to the west and north as far as the boundary railings and east to the tarmac footpath. Some of the renovations include:

Removal of the existing play area
Restoration of the parkland
Removal of the chain link fence along the east, west and northern boundaries
Creation of gaps in the hedges along Heather Walk to allow views of the lake

Overflow Car Park and Events Space
This area will be used for overflow parking and events. The main proposals are:

A gravel surfaced car park either side of the Western Approach
Creation of a hard-surfaced access route into the area.
Creation of footpath to the new play area
A footpath along the boundary

Artist's impression of new play area New Children's Play Area and Kiosk
This will be the area to the north of the overflow car park and will include:

A new play area including wet play facility.
A kiosk and public toilets.
Railings around the play area.

For further information email parks&openspaces@bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8294 6529.