Varcoe Road Recreation Ground

Bridgehouse Meadows is a public park that incorporates a separate nature reserve. New Cross is deficient in accessible wildlife sites so Bridgehouse Meadows provides a welcome opportunity to enjoy a variety of wildflowers and a walk through open grassy areas skirting the railway line, with large areas suitable for dog walking. The path snakes around some hills and provides distant view of City buildings and there is even a glimpse of Millwall Football Club's stadium (The Den) on the horizon.  The hills are most likely the result of the banking that remains from the site's previous use as the New Cross Greyhound and Speedway Stadium. This stadium was in use from c.1900-1969. Though once significant for the local community it was demolished in 1975, leaving the open site that is enjoyed today. In 2010/11 when TFL closed access to the meadows and used them as their headquarters (albeit temporarily) there were online protests. Under a new housing scheme approved by Lewisham Council in January 2022 'improvements to the existing park at Bridgehouse Meadows' are now projected for the future.

The Licensed Victuallers Asylum opened in 1833, initially designed to provide 43 homes for retired victuallers, but over the next decades demand for accommodation was such that it expanded considerably, becoming the largest almshouse complex in London. The first range is on 3 sides of a quadrangle overlooking a large expanse of garden, with railings to the road. By the 1870s there were 205 residents in 176 units. The Society had been incorporated by Royal Charter in 1843 and had ongoing connections with royalty, the Prince of Wales its first patron. In 1959 the Society moved to new Almshouses in Denham and in 1960 Camberwell Borough Council acquired the property for council housing. It was renamed Caroline Gardens after a former resident.

Following WWII much of the Victoria housing in the area was demolished and the area south of Clifton Crescent, which had been open space in the 1870s, was once more laid out as open space. The façade of Clifton Crescent was restored in 1977 and the houses converted to flats by LB Southwark. Brimmington Park was provided as a public amenity, an area of green space between the two roads on slightly undulating ground simply laid out with grass and some blocks of hedging. It extended to the east up to the railway where a playground was provided. Since 2005 new paths, seating and lighting have been installed, and a new playground was opened in 2008, with a small sensory garden nearby.