What is it?
Covering a whopping 96 hectares, beautiful Beckenham Place Park is the Borough of Lewisham’s largest green space. As well as areas of ancient woodland and sweeping grass verges, you’ll also find the gorgeous Georgian Beckenham Place Mansion here, filled with pastel pink and baby blue interiors. The building has recently been renovated as an arts, cultural and community centre by the people behind Copeland Park and the Bussey Building with a record store, bar, cafe, artists studios and regular pop-up events.
In 2019, a £6.8 million renovation project brought an open swimming lake to the park. The council refilled the park’s lost Georgian lake, which was originally created by Beckenham Place Mansion’s former resident John Cator in 1800 before being filled in in the twentieth century. The purpose-built open-water hangout (the first of its kind in London) is open all year round for swimming and boating with lifeguards in the summer.
Don’t miss
The multi-million-pound project also created a new wet woodland, hoped to become a brand new ecological environment for wildlife, and renovated the old stable block to become the light and airy Homestead Cafe.
When to visit
Beckenham Place Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Ticket info
The park is completely free to explore. But to swim, an hour session costs £7 for non-Lewisham residents and £4.30 for concessions. They must be booked online in advance, here.
Time Out tip
Swimming’s not the only activity on offer at Beckenham Place Park. There are also paddle boarding sessions on the lake and a dedicated space for skating and BMXing at the Old Bromley Road entrance.
