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Friends of Bromley Town Parks & Gardens |
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Promoting Bromley’s green centre. |
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Church House Gardens. |
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History. Church House Gardens was constructed by Abel Moysey who leased the land from the Bishop of Rochester’s agent in 1832. He was responsible for landscaping the grounds creating lawns, shrubberies, and fishponds. The carriage drive created can still be seen today off the entrance on Church Road. Originally the turning circle for horse drawn carriages, it has become one of Bromley’s award winning flowerbeds kindly sponsored by our contracting partners, A.C.H. Landscapes. In 1926, Church House and its grounds were purchased by Bromley Council who paid £7,000 for an estate of over 11 acres including the house and three cottages. It was opened to the public by the Mayor, Councillor B.A. Granville; a very grand affair with the Bickley Band entertaining visitors in the afternoon followed by a spectacular Bromley Silver Band concert to conclude the fanfare in the evening. Along with the Parish Church the house was destroyed in April 1941. The gardens however remain. Church House Gardens has seen a gradual change over the last century. It was used as the headquarters for emergency services during the 9-day General Strike. In the 1930’s, the Bromley Board used the abundance of readily available labour to continue to landscape and improve the grounds. A boating pool was created in 1933, and a trout lake was also shaped and survives today in the form of the amphitheatre lake. Band concerts were a regular weekly activity on the lake and the orchestra entertained in a thatched building located on its own island. In September 1963, this unique thatched bandstand was destroyed by fire – seats were thrown into the lake, and together with damaged trees and shelters, the estimated cost of repairs reached a staggering £2,000. Needless to say, the council reluctantly were unable to meet this cost. The Gardens have continued to evolve and in 1977, the Churchill Theatre and Library opened. In 1979, the ‘Dell’ was created, a major improvement scheme to improve the lower part of Church House Gardens. Developments continue with a new small stage in the Amphitheatre area. An Information Centre has been established which has enhanced this park further ensuring all visitors and users of these Gardens enjoy this beautiful parkscape with it’s stunning panoramic backdrop of Bromley to its full. Current facilities. On two levels, in its 11 acres are a number of features. Rose beds & formal flower beds. These can be found in the upper gardens, around the original circular carriage drive of the former Church House. Nearby is a gazebo and stone balustrade providing delightful views over the lower gardens. Tree trail. Details of a number of notable trees have been identified in a leaflet entitled ‘Church House Gardens—Tree Trail’ which can be obtained from the Information Centre or in the Central Library Reference Section (adjacent to Library Gardens). Rockery. Located below stone balustrade. This is especially attractive in the spring (flowers) and autumn (leaf colours). It was constructed partly using stones recycled from the demolished house. Children’s play area. Slides, climbing frames etc. with protective surfaces in a compact area below the main lake. Adjacent grassed slopes for parents and children to relax. Main Lake & Auditorium. A large lake located in the middle of the lower gardens. Ducks and geese use the lake. A ‘wire heron’ can be seen on the small island. The adjacent amphitheatre has recently been upgraded with a smart new stage which is suitable for small concerts, theatrical performances, book readings, etc. If you belong to, or just know about, a local group which is interested in performing here please contact the Friends’ group or the council’s landscape help desk. Games courts. The former tennis courts have been updated to provide three modern tennis courts, a multi-use court and now a skateboard area. Use of these are FREE—just turn up and use. Dickerson’s Copse. A small area of naturalised woodland just above the games courts. It can be accessed either from near the main lake, or Ethelbert Road. A quiet area dedicated to wildlife. You can enjoy a peaceful and shady walk beside this delightful area. Named after Gordon Dickerson (1932-1987), a local biologist, teacher and nature conservationist who campaigned for local wildlife, and in his last years honorary warden of Ruxley Gravel Pits nature reserve .
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Upper gardens in autumn |
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Rockery in winter |
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Bird sculpture in Main Lake |
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Skateboard equipment |
