Places to Visit in Bexley

Parks and Gardens

Please note: where possible, it is advisable to telephone before you make a visit to check opening times and admission charges.

(Numbers refer to key in large-scale map (87k))

8. Danson Park

Danson Road, Bexleyheath. DA6 8HL. Nathaniel Richmond, a student of Lancelot "Capability" Brown landscaped this beautiful park surrounding Danson House, the Palladian villa built in 1766. The house itself was designed by Sir Robert Taylor, architect of the Bank of England and was recently re-opened by The Queen, following an extensive restoration programme. The house sits proudly on the natural ridge overlooking the park with ornamental lake. The park is much loved by the local community and offers a haven for wildlife.

The park offers a wide range of recreational facilities including rowing, sailing & angling on the ornamental lake, as well as tennis, bowling and pitch and putt. There is also a children’s playground and café.

9. Hall Place Gardens

Bourne Road, Bexley. DA5 1PQ. The award-winning gardens surrounding Hall Place have been open to the public since 1952. They are laid out on either side of the River Cray and include many special features such as a Tudor style rose garden, herb garden for the visually impaired, and an unusual topiary display depicting chess pieces and twelve heraldic animals known as the “Queen’s Beasts”. There is also a working walled nursery with allotments, model gardens, glasshouses and environmental education garden (for more details on the education garden please contact the Education Dept. at Hall Place on 01322 526574).

Entrance and car parking is FREE. For refreshments there is Bexley Council’s Hall Place Café or the Jacobean Barn Beefeater on site.

10. Lesnes Abbey Woods

Abbey Wood. 01322 356865. In the spring here there is a lovely display of wild daffodils and bluebells. Whatever the season, families may wish to follow the nature trails of orienteering courses through the woods and maps are available from park rangers. Perhaps the most popular attraction here is the chance to dig or sift for fossils. An exposed fossil bed contains the fossilised remains of shells, fish, reptiles and mammals - so why not search for your own prehistoric souvenir of Lesnes Abbey Woods? Park rangers say visitors are most likely to come away with a shark's tooth! Open daily.

11. Foots Cray Meadows

This charming rural area of woodland and more open parkland follows the course of the River Cray. The meadows are rich in wildlife and attract many nature-lovers and bird-watchers hoping for a glimpse of a colourful kingfisher. Five Arches Bridge across the Cray is worth seeing but sadly Foots Cray Place, a Palladian mansion built in 1756, was destroyed by fire in 1949 - only the walled garden and stable blocks survived the blaze.