Description
River Pool Walkway is a footpath following part of the River Pool through largely industrial areas to Kangley Bridge Road to the east. There is however a conservation site and some naturalised areas.
Practical Information
| Site location | Lennard Road/Kangley Bridge Road, Beckenham |
|---|---|
| Postcode | BR3 1QR |
| What3Words | ///decks.luxury.badge |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Bromley |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: New Beckenham |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The site is 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 | TQ360705 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Bromley |
| Site Management | idverde |
| 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 | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance II (at New Beckenham) |
| 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
Cator Park was once part of the extensive Cator Estate, owned by the Cator family from the late C18th. The area that became the public park was laid out as private pleasure grounds principally for the private use of residents on the Cator estate who paid an annual subscription fee. For this reason it was already well matured as a park when the local council purchased the land in 1931.
Alexandra Recreation Ground was laid out by the local council in the late 1880s and opened in September 1891. It is named after Alexandra, wife of the future King Edward VII, who is also commemorated in Alexandra Road that borders the park in the south-east. The original area of the park was what is now north of Maitland Road, the southern part facing Lennard Road was added in 1897. A pond in the south-east corner of the original park pre-dated the recreation ground but was eventually filled in, becoming the site of a bandstand, itself no longer in place. The park was a popular venue for cricket, with Penge Cricket Club playing here.
The land for the recreation ground was acquired by Lewisham Borough Council 1900 and it opened in June 1901. It was named after Home Park Lodge, which gave part of its gardens to the new park. The public library was once the site of the stables to an early C18th house occupied by Sir George Grove from 1860-1900, but which is thought to have once been owned by Charles James Fox. Along the main road the park is tree lined. It was originally laid out with formal gardens of which only a Lebanon cedar, two mature London planes and a straight walk remain. It is screened from playing fields to the south by privet hedge and shrubs. There is one notable oak in the playing fields area and the park has perimeter planting of London planes.