Description

0.8 hectare public park.  The park currently features London Plane trees as well as some ornamental trees eg Catalpa; and a set of children's swings. The railings are late 20th Century.  There is a mixture of hard-standing paths and informal paths.  The development of the Ravensbourne Park Estate began in the 1820s north of Catford Bridge. The estate was only gradually built over leaving the current space. A number of the early houses survive including the villas at 60-62 Ravensbourne Park opposite Ravensbourne Park Gardens.  After WWI the area became fully developed and the current public gardens date from c.1960s/70s. 

Practical Information

Site location Ravensbourne Park/Ravensbourne Park Crescent
Postcode SE6
What3Words ///ledge.papers.advice
Type of Site Public Park
Borough Lewisham
Open to Public Yes
Opening Times unrestricted
Facilities Playground
Public Transport Rail: Catford/Catford Bridge. Bus: 584.
Research Updated 1 April 2012
Last Updated 18 October 2026

Full description

0.8 hectare public park.  The park currently features London Plane trees as well as some ornamental trees eg Catalpa; and a set of children's swings. The railings are late 20th Century.  There is a mixture of hardstanding paths and informal paths.

This park is not particularly close to Ravensbourne River and not be confused with Brookmill Park formally known as Ravensbourne Park. 

The development of the Ravensbourne Park Estate began in the 1820s north of Catford Bridge, but was only gradually built. A number of the early houses survive including the villas at 60-62 Ravensbourne Park opposite Ravensbourne Park Gardens. They are sited on land which was originally a private green for the estate. A house called Ravensbourne Park House is shown on the 1870s OS map to the south of the site of the present gardens. OS maps from 1894-1896 and 1915 show an unidentified circular feature in the north east part of the park. After WWI the area became fully developed and the current public gardens date from c.1960s/70s. 

Further Information

Grid Reference TQ369738
Site Ownership LB Lewisham
Site Management Greenscene Department, Glendale Grounds Management
Dates C19th; 1960s/70s
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 Lewisham
In Conservation Area No
Tree Preservation Order No
Nature Conservation Area No
Green Belt No
Metropolitan Open Land No
Special Policy Area No
Other LA Designation Public Open Space

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Nearby parks and gardens

  • Lewisham
  • 0.2 miles away

Ladywell Fields

Ladywell Fields is a public park situated on three historic fields that in medieval times were part of the manor of Lewisham. The area, through which the Ravensbourne river runs, is named after a medicinal well recorded from the at least the C15th. The arrival of the railways in the 1850s gradually brought development to the area and in 1889 the land between the river and the railway was purchased and opened as Ladywell Recreation Ground. Because the area was liable to flooding the river channel was straightened and enlarged, weirs were added, and the meadows were drained and landscaped. Between 2007 and 2011 the park has undergone significant enhancement schemes, which have focused on re-naturalising the river corridor, improving the landscape for wildlife as well as people.
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Blythe Hill Fields

Blythe Hill Fields is a large grassy mound, some 70 metres high from where there are fine views. The land was formerly part of Brockley Farm and also the site of a brickworks, which was saved from housing development partly due to the hilly nature of the site. Blythe Hill House was built to the south in 1842 and its grounds covered a large part of Blythe Hill; the house was demolished in 1895. The land was purchased by the LCC and opened as a public park in 1935. A chimney from the former brickworks remained until 1938.
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  • 0.5 miles away

Brockley Hill Park Estate Ornamental Garden

Brockley Hill Park Estate Ornamental Garden is a hidden private garden owned and managed by residents of adjoining properties represented by a Trust formed in 1853, an arrangement common in Kensington and Westminster but unusual in south-east London. By the mid C19th the land was being developed by the Conservative Land Society as Brockley Hill Park Estate, offering plots for detached and semi-detached houses, a few shops, a church (not built) and an area reserved for an Ornamental Garden. In 1929 the Trustees purchased the two vacant plots that had been left for the access road for the church, ensuring that there was no road access to the garden. In 1951 Lewisham Borough Council wished to purchase the garden for public open space but this was vigorously opposed and the proposal was abandoned. The park consists of three terraces, the upper and lower of which are wooded with the middle terrace occupied by tennis courts since at least 1913.