Description
Shenstone Park is on an area of former parkland belonging to a house called Shenstone, which was built c.1828 and demolished c.1974 on the site of which Shenstone School now stands. The site has a number of mature horse chestnut trees and limes, some appearing to be remnant avenues from the former grounds. There are some good views from the high points across the adjoining countryside to the south (the Cray valley) and to the south-west towards Bexley village.
Practical Information
| Site location | London Road/Old Road, Crayford |
|---|---|
| Postcode | DA1 4DS |
| What3Words | ///apple.flags.icons |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Bexley |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: Crayford then bus. Bus: 96 |
| Research Updated | 1 February 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The public park comprises an unaltered area of former parkland belonging to a house called Shenstone, which was demolished in c.1974 and on its site Shenstone School now stands. The house was built c.1828 for Augustus Applegarth, and enlarged in the 1840s for David Evans, in whose family it remained until c.1935. The park has lime and horse chestnut trees lining London Road, with more horse chestnut, lime (chiefly) and occasional beech in groups and standards over the hillside, one fine parkland sycamore tree and good plantation screening of the gasworks. There is a dramatic drop to the south-west corner and further landscaping on the hill across London Road to the south-west, an area of grass that has quite dramatic undulation. The land slopes upwards from London Road and then levelling out on the northern side against the school and Old Road. Partway across, looking to the west, the ground drops again before rising towards the north-west. The park has a number of mature horse chestnut trees and limes, some appearing to be remnant avenues, others are growing in clumps and the vegetation beneath these is left uncut during the summer. Scrub and trees screen the park from the roads. There are some good views from the high points across the adjoining countryside to the south (the Cray valley) and to the south-west towards Bexley village.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ508749 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 7.17 |
| Site Ownership | LB Bexley |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces, Highways and Amenities Department |
| Dates | C19th |
| 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 | Bexley |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | strip of park borders Star Hill CA |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Urban Open Space |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
St Paulinus Church has long served the parish of Crayford, and the building dates from the C12th but is largely early C14th. Much of the north nave is Norman, and the tower and chapel were added in the C15th. Built of ragstone and flint, it is unusual in having twin naves with the chancel positioned at the end and midway between them. The church was restored in 1862, the work undertaken by architect Joseph Clarke. The church and its burial ground occupy an elevated site with good views to the south, its open setting across fields from the north making it an important landmark. The large picturesque churchyard has numerous tombs and is set behind brick and flint retaining walls, entered through a fine Gothic lych-gate of 1873. Yews and other trees are scattered throughout. In front of the church is a small public garden, St Paulinus Gardens.
Mrs Stable's Almshouses were founded in 1865 in memory of Charles Stable with an endowment of £500 by his widow. Four of the almshouses were to house poor single women of 60 and over, the fifth let annually for rent. The almshouse garden is laid out informally with recent planting and mature trees, including 2 pollarded limes and 2 Holm oaks, mixed privet and box hedges, mown grass and flower beds planted with bedding, bulbs and perennials.
Marten’s Grove Park is an extensive, oblong park, occupying part of the former grounds of a mid C19th house, Marten's Grove. Major changes were made to the house in the 1860s after which it remained virtually unaltered until the estate was sold c.1927, the house demolished in 1932. Land to the north of the house was unsuitable for housing and it was offered to Crayford UDC for use as a recreation ground, which opened on 1 July 1933. The ornamental lake was transformed into a swimming pool, which eventually closed in 1986.
