Bromley is London’s greenest borough with over 160 parks and green spaces to explore. It has many prestigious parks including both Library Gardens and Queens Garden in the heart of the town, Kelsey Park in Beckenham, Priory Gardens in Orpington and of course Crystal Palace Park, the home of the dinosaurs. Bromley is blessed with many Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) and Local Nature Reserves (LNR’s) including Keston & Hayes Common, Jubilee Country Park in Petts Wood, High Elms Country Park on the outskirts of Farnborough Village, Scadbury Park in Chislehurst, Crofton Wood in Orpington, Ruxley Lakes & Gravel Pits in the Cray Valley and parts of Saltbox Hill in Biggin Hill.

There is much history to explore from iron age forts and roman settlements in Keston, the Moated Manor in Chislehurst to the bandstand where David Bowie performed at the Croydon Road Recreation Ground in Beckenham. Charles Darwin lived at Down House in Downe and travelled regularly between Keston and Farnborough Village. The Keston Bog at Ravensbourne Open Space is where he conducted many of his experiments. You can also follow the winding trail of the River Ravensbourne from its source at Caesar’s Well at Keston Common, through Hayes, Bickley, Beckenham and beyond into Lewisham and Deptford. Bromley also has many play areas including BMX tracks at Tubbenden Lane Recreation Ground and soon in Hoblingwell Wood. And for those feeling more energetic we have outdoor gym equipment at Tugmutton Common in Locksbottom and Betts Park in Anerley.

The Friends Forum of Bromley Parks and Green Spaces works in partnership with the London Borough of Bromley to create a better environment for all. Some Friends groups cover multiple parks, some cover individual parks. Of the 160 sites in the borough, around half are cared for by Friends Groups in the Forum. Through the partnership, users and visitors to our communitties get a greater say in what goes on in their local areas.

Read more about the Forum over on their website.