Avery Hill Park

The public park was formed from the former parkland that formed the grounds of Colonel John North's Victorian mansion, Avery Hill (q.v.). Colonel North, born in Leeds in 1842, went to Peru and built up his empire in coal, nitrates, water, cement, steel, railways and gold and became dubbed 'The Nitrate King'. He came to Eltham in 1882 and initially rented Avery Hill and 20 acres of land. By 1891 his estate was over 270 ha. and stretched from Shooters Hill to New Eltham taking in large tracts of open land now collectively known as Shooter Hill Woodlands (q.v.) including Oxleas Wood, Shepherdleas Wood, Eltham Park and Eltham Warren. His Avery Hill parkland was used partly for shooting and some was let for farming. On his death in 1896 the estate was auctioned, much of it eventually purchased in 1902 by London County Council. Some land was let out for farming or other private usage.

Avery Hill Park was opened to the public in 1903/04 and includes remains of the gardens close to the house; parkland features include clumps of Corsican pine, standard oak and sycamore; shrubs, yews, specimen trees, and Cedar of Lebanon nearer house. Park buildings include a brick and tile public conveniences and café. The site boundary with Bexley Road retains the C19th brick wall within which are specimen trees and shrubs, and two lodges, the West Lodge having a picturesque French chateau-style roof and archway. The East Lodge remains at the park entrance on Bexley Road, while the West Lodge provides the main entrance to the University of Greenwich. A rockery has been created on the lawns south of the Conservatory, which houses the Winter Garden, which is in separate ownership of the University. Beyond are mainly playing fields, with the River Shuttle running through the park. Some old hedgerows may be around 600 years old.