Description
The largely level site was the garden of former rectory, now Hayes Public Library, and retains little of its pre-municipal character: specimen conifers including Wellingtonia and yews. Other specimen trees include three acacias and a group of three limes to the front. It was laid out as a public park in 1906 and forms a compact garden with rose garden and tennis courts around the library. The garden has flower, rose and shrub beds, with laurel hedges on the boundaries. The walls on the street side are topped with iron railings and there are matching ornamental iron gates.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Garden of former Old Rectory |
|---|---|
| Site location | Library Gardens, Hayes Street, Hayes |
| Postcode | BR2 7BA |
| What3Words | ///lights.shells.books |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Bromley |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.30am weekdays/9am Sat/Sun/BHs - half hour after dusk |
| Facilities | Tennis courts, toilets |
| Public Transport | Rail: Hayes. Bus: 119, 146. |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Near to the entrance of the library is the Bromley millennium rock, a boulder of Lewisham gneiss from Lochinver in north-west Scotland. The metamorphic rock is over 2000 million years old and is one of the oldest rocks to be found in the British Isles. It was presented to the people of Bromley by the Highland Council to commemorate the Millennium Year. Bromley Council and Ravensbourne Geological Society were also involved in erecting the stone, which stands on a base of rounded pebbles set in concrete.
The garden 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 garden 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 | TQ405662 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 2 |
| Site Ownership | LB Bromley |
| Site Management | idverde |
| Dates | 1906 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Old Rectory |
| 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 | Hayes Village |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Urban open space |
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
The oldest building in the village of Hayes is the medieval parish church of St Mary the Virgin that dates from the C13th, although extended in subsequent years. It was restored in the C19th when Roman stones were discovered. The churchyard is bounded on the roadside by a flint wall, which matches the construction of the church, and contains an ancient yew tree.
Both Husseywell Open Space and The Knoll were formerly part of the estate of Hayes Place, and probably established as parkland c.1755; by 1767 what is now Husseywell Open Space and pond were well established. The 1st edition OS Map of 1871 shows the area as farmland. When the Hayes Place Estate began to be developed for housing in the 1930s, local Cllr Percy Jones argued for some land to remain public open space, which eventually resulted in the creation of Husseywell Recreation Ground and The Knoll.
Warren House, later renamed The Warren, was built in 1882 as a country mansion, the house and its grounds added to by subsequent owners, who developed the gardens. Since 1935 it has been the Metropolitan Police Sports Ground, the house now the club house. It retains fine gardens although a number of trees, shrubs and flowerbeds were removed to make a playing field. Tennis courts have been built on the site of the kitchen garden and a bowling green made on the east side of the house.