The London Borough of Bexley is proud to launch Lesnes 500 – a major two-year heritage project that marks 500 years since the dissolution of Lesnes Abbey.
The project has been made possible thanks to a £249,971 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Lesnes 500 will run from May 2025 to June 2027, forming a key part of the borough’s #CelebratingBexley campaign.
The programme will engage local communities through heritage, creativity, nature and education, honouring the legacy of one of Bexley’s most historically significant sites. The programme will include:
- art clubs
- early years projects
- new herb garden
- archaeological digs
- events
- festivals
- tours
- markets
- improvements to structures and much more
The project is being delivered in collaboration with several local and creative partners, each bringing their own expertise to the programme.
Partners involved are:
- The Friends of Lesnes Abbey and Woods (FoLAW)
- North West Kent Countryside Partnership
- Creative Nature HQ & Forest Club
- Ruined Theatre
- DigVentures
Cllr Richard Diment, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
Lesnes Abbey is one of Bexley’s most treasured historic sites and marking 500 years since the dissolution of the Abbey gives us a unique opportunity to reflect on its rich past while investing in its future.
Through Lesnes 500, we are bringing together creativity, heritage education and the environment to offer something truly special for our residents.
This project captures the very spirit of #CelebratingBexley – connecting communities, honouring our history and creating lasting value for generations to come.”
Working together with the London Borough of Bexley, the partners will help deliver a range of community activities including:
- conserving and celebrating the legacy of Lesnes Abbey for current and future generations
- supporting biodiversity, nature recovery and sustainable use of green space
- opening up heritage to a broader and more diverse audience
- building local capacity and ensuring long-term benefits for the site and its community
The restoration work to the Abbey that forms part of the project, will safeguard the site for future generations, while engaging residents through new volunteer opportunities and learning experiences.
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
We are delighted to support Lesnes Abbey with this fantastic project looking back at 500 years of its history while looking forwards to its future. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, more people will be able to get involved with, protect, and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep. This project is a great example of partners working together to celebrate the heritage of Lesnes Abbey and Bexley as part of #CelebratingBexley and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
For more information or to get involved, please email lesnesabbey@bexley.gov.uk
The #CelebratingBexley campaign is an arts and culture campaign hosted by the London Borough of Bexley that celebrates the borough and its local cultural institutions and partners.
Find out more by visiting the CelebratingBexley page.