Hidden Gem: Beckenham Place Park

By Charlotte Coulson, Account Director

Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham was, for more than 100 years, home to one of the busiest 18-hole public courses in London. But in the late 2000s golf seemed to lose its appeal and the local authority decided – amid much protest – to close the course and restore the park for the benefit of the wider community.

The result is south-east London’s biggest park, with 98 hectares of ancient woodland, adventures playgrounds, and a 283-metre-long, 45-metre-wide lake, a recreation of an original Georgian water feature perfect for water sports and wild swimming.

The Georgian mansion itself is open to the public too, and frequently home to pop-up bars, yoga, arts and crafts, and a vinyl store.