Description
Brooklands Park Estate is an LCC housing estate built in 1958 on land within the Cator Estate, which was developed with smart villas from the late C18th. Brooklands Park Estate was built on the former grounds of Casterbridge and comprises seven 5-storey blocks and low terraces set within landscaping. Care was taken to retain existing features such as mature trees and the ornamental lake once in the house grounds. A hexagonal domed brick conduit house is located on the edge of the lake.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Cator Estate |
|---|---|
| Site location | Casterbridge Road/Brooklands Park, Blackheath Park |
| Postcode | SE3 |
| What3Words | ///bath.shark.going |
| Type of Site | Housing/Estate Landscaping; |
| Borough | Greenwich |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: Kidbrooke/Blackheath. Bus: 278, B16. |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
In the C19th a large house called Elmsdale, later known as Casterbridge, existed here with extensive grounds that included an ornamental lake and fine trees. This was one of four large houses to the south of Blackheath Park within the Cator Estate, each having large gardens, including woodland and some arable land. Casterbridge was purchased in 1952 for council housing by the London County Council, who at the same time purchased the nearby Drakecourt, built in 1905, which was converted as an old people's home with Brooklands Primary School built over its gardens. The Brooklands Park Estate of 7 5-storey blocks and low terraces was built over the Casterbridge land, the blocks set within large areas of grassland, the landscape treatment retaining the ornamental lake and mature trees such as weeping willow, oak and copper beech. Its name recalls another of the large houses in the area, Brooklands House, which was built in 1827 designed for his own use by George Smith, architect of the Morden Estate, now later divided into flats.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ403756 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | RB Greenwich |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces Department |
| Dates | 1958 |
| 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 | Greenwich |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Blackheath Park |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Hallgate was one of a number of private housing schemes by Span Developments Ltd in Blackheath, whose ethos was to set sensitively planned and designed housing units within well-considered landscaping. Hallgate has a group of 26 flats, with a broad passageway leading to communal gardens behind. In the wall of the passage is a sculpture by Keith Godwin 'The Architect and Society' that was commissioned to celebrate one of architect Eric Lyons' planning victories. Maintenance of communal garden areas was initially undertaken by the residents' association with Span as ground landlord as nearly all Span schemes were originally leasehold properties.
Corner Green was one of a number of private housing schemes by Span Developments Ltd on the Cator Estate in Blackheath, whose ethos was to set sensitively planned and designed housing units within well-considered landscaping. Here the scheme comprises an open layout of 23 flats and weather-boarded houses set around a green. Maintenance of communal garden areas was initially undertaken by the residents' association with Span as ground landlord, as nearly all Span schemes were originally leasehold properties.
The Priory at Blackheath Park was one of the first private housing schemes by Span Developments Ltd in Blackheath, whose ethos was to set sensitively planned and designed housing units within well-considered landscaping. Here the setting is thickly planted around drives with birch, Corsican pine, yew, cherry and profuse shrub planting, communal courtyard lawns, and landscaped pedestrian routes. The maintenance of the communal garden areas was initially undertaken by the residents' association with Span as ground landlord as nearly all Span schemes were originally leasehold properties.