Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Bromley facts for kids

The London Borough of Bromley is a part of Greater London, England. It's a really green area, with more than one hundred parks and open spaces! Some of these are huge, like Crystal Palace Park, while others are smaller, like local recreation grounds. Many of these green areas are connected and form part of the South East London Green Chain. Because Bromley is in Outer London, it also has some beautiful countryside areas, including special country parks.

Exploring Bromley's Green Spaces

Bromley is home to many amazing parks and open spaces that are looked after by the local council. These places are perfect for playing sports, going for walks, or just enjoying nature. Here are some of the main ones:

• Betts Park
  • Location: Anerley
  • Size: About 12.5 hectares (that's like 25 football fields!)
  • What's cool: It's a recreation ground with pretty gardens. You can even see parts of the old Croydon Canal here.

• Crystal Palace Park
  • Location: Crystal Palace
  • Size: A massive 80 hectares!
  • What's cool: This park is famous for its dinosaur sculptures and a maze. It's a great place for a day out.

• Elmstead Wood
  • Location: Elmstead
  • Size: About 34.3 hectares
  • What's cool: A lovely woodland area, perfect for exploring.

• Goddington Park
  • Location: Orpington
  • Size: About 64 hectares
  • What's cool: This park has both sports fields and peaceful wooded areas.

• Harvington Sports Ground
  • Location: Beckenham
  • Size: About 47.25 hectares
  • What's cool: A mix of woodlands and open fields, great for sports and walks.

• Hayes Common
  • Location: Hayes, Bromley
  • Size: About 91.1 hectares
  • What's cool: A large, natural common area, perfect for enjoying the outdoors.

• High Elms Country Park
  • Location: Farnborough
  • Size: About 100 hectares
  • What's cool: This park is a Local Nature Reserve, meaning it's protected for its wildlife. It's also a Site of Special Scientific Importance!

• Hoblingwell Wood
  • Location: St Paul's Cray
  • Size: About 87 hectares
  • What's cool: A large wood offering a natural escape.

• Jubilee Country Park
  • Location: Petts Wood
  • Size: About 25 hectares
  • What's cool: Another Local Nature Reserve, great for spotting local wildlife.

• Kelsey Park
  • Location: Beckenham
  • Size: About 32.25 hectares
  • What's cool: A beautiful ornamental park, designed to be a pleasure ground.

• Keston Common
  • Location: Keston
  • Size: About 55 hectares
  • What's cool: Like High Elms, this is both a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Importance.

• Norman Park
  • Location: Bromley Common
  • Size: About 50 hectares
  • What's cool: A popular park for recreation and events.

• Priory Gardens
  • Location: Orpington
  • Size: About 14 hectares
  • What's cool: A lovely ornamental park with beautiful features.

• Riverside Gardens
  • Location: Orpington
  • Size: About 21 hectares
  • What's cool: A local open space, great for a quick visit.

• Scadbury Park
  • Location: Chislehurst
  • Size: About 102 hectares
  • What's cool: This is a Local Nature Reserve with lots of countryside, including pastures and woodlands.

Other Green Spots

Besides the parks managed by the borough council, there are many other green spaces that are privately owned or managed by other groups. These also add to Bromley's green landscape:

• North Bromley: You can find places like Cator Park and many sports grounds in New Beckenham. There's also Sundridge Park, which includes a golf course, and Camden Park, Scadbury Park, and Elmstead Wood near Chislehurst.
• East Bromley: In the Green Belt area, you'll find Ruxley Wood, Paul's Cray Hill Park, Hockenden Wood, and Bourne Wood.
• West Bromley: There's a large open space around Bethlem Royal Hospital, which includes farmland and Crouch Oak Wood.
• Saltbox Hill: This is a Site of Special Scientific Importance in Biggin Hill. It's owned and looked after by the London Wildlife Trust, helping to protect its special nature.