Foots Cray Meadows

North Cray Road, Sidcup, Kent

Foots Cray Meadows is situated in the less densely populated, south east corner of the Borough of Bexley. It is not only the largest open space in the Borough, but also the least formal, which lends itself to the variety of wildlife habitats present. Totalling 97 hectares, it consists of a rolling landscape, ancient woodland, the River Cray and its adjacent woodlands and wildflower margins.

It has been an important recreational facility within Bexley since just after the Second World War, providing a Park and Open Space with a historical pedigree. The Five Arch Bridge and Stable Block are, however, all that remain of the eighteenth century Footscray Place estate buildings.

[Five Arches bridge]

Large areas of Footscray Meadows are now managed as wildflower meadows, but this has still left large swathes of amenity grassland for recreational pursuits. Visitors are attracted to the site for a number of reasons but the majority enjoys natural beauty and serenity in an informal and passive manner. Footscray Meadows provides a wealth of diverse habitats for the site's flora and fauna. This has been recognised by the management who balance the need for recreational facility with developing the site's important conservation and education potential. Footscray Meadows is an important site for wildflower and wildlife habitats, attracting many nature lovers and bird watchers and an increasing number of visitors who enjoy its unique character and diverse appeal.

The Friends of Foots Cray Meadows

The Friends of Foots Cray Meadows is a Community Group made up of local people who have a passion for the Meadows. Working in partnership with the Council the Group aims to conserve and promote the site to the wider community, and to increase people's appreciation of the site and what is has to offer. The group run walks and talks through out the year and aim to have a full calendar of activities for the public to get involved in. If you would like to find out more please have look at the group's website www.ffcm.org.uk.

Facilities

Permitted horse ridesChildren's playground (dog free zone)

Activities

Recreational Walks - Walking is almost perfect exercise; requiring no equipment or expense, it is the best way for people from all walks of life to become more active.

Location and Travel Information

Footscray Meadows is accessible from the A223, Northcray Road or from Rectory Lane which runs from Bexley Lane, Sidcup through to Footscray High Street. Details of bus services can be found at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/. The nearest train station is Albany Park.