Description
Prior to 1857 the land here was open countryside owned by the Cator family. Adjacent to the parish church, the site of Beckenham Green was built over between 1857-90 when the railway arrived; one of the former buildings on the site was the Railway Hotel. In July 1944 major bomb damage was caused to the buildings and the site was cleared in 1946. It remained undeveloped until 1967, when it was grassed with a part dedicated for use by pupils of the adjacent school. In 2005 this area of public open space was renamed Beckenham Green. A small stage was erected in November 2007 for hosting local events.
Practical Information
| Site location | High Street/Albermarle Road, Beckenham |
|---|---|
| Postcode | BR3 5HZ |
| What3Words | ///slows.mash.divide |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Bromley |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail/Tram: Beckenham Junction. Bus: 54, 162, 227, 351, 367 |
| Research Updated | 1 May 2016 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The site that is Beckenham Green today was first built over between 1857-90 when the railway came to the area and Beckenham Junction Station was opened nearby. Further development took place between 1891 and 1939, and the site was completely built over with the Railway Hotel and houses on Church Road adjoining Beckenham Parish Church of St George (q.v.). In July 1944 major damage was caused to the buildings here as well as to the church by two VI flying bombs. As a result the site was cleared in 1946 and was used as an ad hoc car park while discussions took place within Beckenham Council about how it might be redeveloped. In 1965 Bromley was established as the new local authority and the land remained undeveloped until 1967, when it was grassed with a part dedicated for use by pupils of the adjacent Bromley Road Infants School; this remains a fenced-off area. In 2005 this area of public open space was renamed Beckenham Green as part of redevelopment of adjacent buildings given the same name. It is now a popular setting for wedding photographs; in March 2006 the St George's Churchyard Friends Group planted a mixed hedge of beech, holly and hawthorn along the border between the churchyard and Beckenham Green to create habitat for birds and insects. A small stage was erected in November 2007 for hosting local events. Beckenham Green is a largely grassed area with paths, benches and a number of trees, including a row of London planes along the northern edge, and a wilder area of woodland on the southern boundary with silver birch, small-leaved lime and horse chestnut trees. There are several formal flower beds planted with annuals and shrubbery on the southern edge.
The Green is now managed by idverde UK, which in June 2015 was contracted by Bromley Council for the management of the borough's parks, green spaces and countryside service, a relationship that was extended in April 2019 for a further 16 years.
The Green is now managed by idverde UK, which in June 2015 was contracted by Bromley Council for the management of the borough's parks, green spaces and countryside service, a relationship that was extended in April 2019 for a further 16 years.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ375697 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Bromley |
| Site Management | idverde |
| Dates | 1960s, 2005 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Bromley |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | St George's High Street Beckenham |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Archaeological Priority |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
The parish of St George Beckenham was previously in Kent. Although a church on the site was not recorded until 1070, there was probably a church here in some form in Saxon times. The current church dates from 1885-7, built when a larger church was needed for the growing parish. A good collection of monuments from the old church remains including those of the C16th; among C18th memorials are those for prominent local dignitaries. The tree-filled churchyard, which has a restored C13th lych gate, was extended to the east between 1871-1894.
The Rawlins Almshouses are modest one-storey red brick almshouses that were erected in 1694 under the will of Anthony Rawlins. Over the centre doorway is a tablet inscribed 'Anthony Rawlins Esq built these Houses for ye poor of this Parish of Beckenham Anno. Dom. 1694'. They were largely rebuilt in 1881 and continue to provide for widows who have lived for at least three years in the area of the former Beckenham UDC. The almshouses have small front and back gardens.
Bertie Almshouses were built in 1890 in Arts and Crafts style, at the behest of Mrs Mary Elizabeth Akers of Malling Abbey in memory of her husband Bertie Peter Cator. The small sheltered garden has mature trees, shrubs and back garden now divided in two. A plaque in the porch has the inscription 'AD VSVM PAVPERVM DEI IN MEMORIAM BERTII ET DIANAE MDCCCXC'.