A fun day with FREE activities for all. Explore the park in new ways and come together to love our park and nature. Activities include:
Family paddleboarding and other sports
Forest school inspired craft activities
Bike check-ups
Adventure storytelling walks in nature (11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm sign up on the day)
River clean up volunteering
Nordic Walk taster sessions
NCT walks for new parents
Try bird watching with the RSPB
Discover nature, try geocaching
Pop up recycling centre for harder to recycle items eg crisp packets, small electrical items, light bulbs
Community stalls and much more… See the full programme below.
Where to find us
On the grass near the BBQ area. Nearest entrance Beckenham Hill gate, or over the railway bridge if coming from Bromley Road.
Full #LoveBeckenhamPlacePark Community Day Programme of events
The activities at the event are free. Some will have limited numbers, and you will need to sign up in advance online or on the day. All activities have been risk-assessed and are Covid secure. We ask all people attending the event to follow government guidelines on social distancing – remember Hands, Face, Space! This includes when queueing for stalls. Please do not attend the event if you or a member of your household is displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
Activities for all ages
River clean up volunteering on the River Ravensbourne (for anyone aged over 14 years). Help keep the park looking nice by cleaning up the River Ravensbourne as it flows through the park. All equipment (including wellies and waders) will be provided. 10 spaces available. Sign up in advance here. The clean up is taking place from 11am – 1pm and is being run by QWAG (Quaggy Waterways Action Group)
Try Paddle Boarding on the lake. PTP Coaching is offering free 30-minute paddle boarding taster sessions from 12-4pm. You should sign up in advance here. You will need to wear comfy clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and old trainers. Bring warm dry clothes for afterwards. There are two types of boards available: individual boards (for one person over 8 years, or for one adult with a child under 8 years); and group boards which can take up to 8 people (maximum of 800kg weight). There must be at least one adult in the group. Any child aged two years or over can be in the group.
London Borough of Lewisham Waste and climate action teams will have fun games and information on recycling, waste and climate change at their stand. They will also have bins for you to dispose of harder to recycle items. Please bring the following items to recycle:
Crisp packets: all brands and size. Small IT equipment: Mice, keyboards, iPads, mobile phones, laptops, mp3s, headphones, cables. Small electrical items: toaster, mixers, blenders, radios, cables, toothbrushes, irons, shavers, remote controls, kettle, electrical clocks, small hot plates, straighteners, hairdryers, small speakers. Light bulbs: mixed. Tins & Cans.
Dr Bike Bring your bike along for a free bicycle safety check, basic adjustments & minor repairs. DrBike_Lewisham will have a limited number of small parts available so if you know that you need a specific repair, please bring the parts with you (eg inner tube or brake pads). Also, ask Dr Bike about road safety and information on cycling.
Lewisham Cyclists will be leading guided rides to the park and have a stand giving out cycling information and advice. Guided rides 1: Meet at Deptford Park (main gate) at 10am, then also passing through pick up points at Folkestone Gardens, Lewisham Glass Mill, and Ladywell Fields, and hopefully arriving by 12 (it’s only 7 miles, but we will be going at the pace of slowest and may have mechanicals etc). Return ride at 3.30pm same route. Guided ride 2: Meet at Mayow Park Cafe at 10.30am. Return ride at 3.30pm https://lewishamcyclists.org.uk/calendar-of-events/ Guided ride 3: From Railway Children Walk in Downham. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downham-to-beckenham-place-park-tickets-154065807979
Beckenham Place Park info stand will have information about the park, future events, the changes happening on the eastern side, nature trail maps to take away, and the chance to win brunch for two at the Mansion if you sign up to the park’s newsletter mailing list. You can also borrow litter pickers and bin bags from the stall to use as you walk around the park, should you wish to help us keep the park looking clean.
Geocaching. Try your hand at finding hidden ‘treasures’ in the park – a new and fun way to explore the park and get active! All you need to find the geocaches is a smartphone.
There are 3 steps to begin your geocaching adventure:
1. Create an account - Either online (www.geocaching.com) or through the Geocaching app (search in the Google Play or Apple Store).
2. Find a geocache - Use the app to navigate to a geocache nearby. Don’t forget to bring a pen!
3. Share your experience - Once you find the geocache, sign and date the paper log sheet. Place the geocache back where you found it and log your experience online.
LBMX. The BMX club will be running an extended club session (10:30am – 4:30pm) at the track on the eastern side of the park. Try BMX with guidance from a qualified coach. You can borrow a bike and safety equipment if you don’t have one to bring. Open to all ages!
Bird and wildlife watching and information. Visit the RSPB Bromley Branch’s stand to ask knowledgeable volunteers questions about birdlife in the park and find out more about this national nature charity.
RSPCA Bromley and District Branch will have a stand with information about the RSPCA and the work of the Branch. Feel free to ask the volunteers general questions about wildlife and animals you might have seen in the park. Free dog waste bags will be available to take away too.
Corona Virus rapid test kits will be available from the Lewisham Council Covid response team. Take these home to do regular rapid lateral flow tests and help fight Covid-19 in your local community. Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms. Rapid lateral flow tests help to find cases in people who may have no symptoms but are still infectious and can give the virus to others.
Activities specifically for adults
Try Nordic Walking with Sonya at 11:30am and 2pm. All equipment provided. Wear comfy clothes and shoes/trainers. Nordic Walking is a good way to get active and is simple to learn. It gently encourages full-body movement, whilst the poles help to reduce pressure on your knees and joints and propel you along, making it feel easier than it really is! The taster sessions each last one hour and there are 10 spaces at each session. 5 spaces can be booked in advance online. The other 5 can be booked at the GDCA / Healthy Walks / Nordic Walks stand on the day. Online booking here
Walk through the woods and parkland with Lewisham health walk leaders. A great way to get active and enjoy the park. The walk starts at 2:30pm and will last up to an hour. Sign up on the day at the GDCA/Health Walks stand. More information on health walks across Lewisham can be found here
Queens Walking Group will be walking from Catford to the park then doing line dance and exercise class taster sessions once they arrive at about 12pm. Wear comfy clothes and shoes if you want to join in the free line dancing and exercise class. If you would like to join the walk, please contact Joan (on 07949438712) for details on the starting point and meeting time.
Activities specifically for children and young families
Family mindfulness walk in the woods. At 3pm. Sign up on day (at the GDCA / Health Walks stand). Slow down, have fun, and connect with breath, body and nature. A 30-60 minutes gentle walk (length depending on participants on the day). Any age welcome, including children in buggies. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Thanh (from Two Mindful Bees) will lead the walk.
Forest-school inspired arts and crafts with Nurturing Wild Forest School and Little Explorers. Collect a pack of activities from their stalls and try out the activities independently around the park. Nurturing Wild will have resources for 18months–5 year-olds and Little Explorers will have resources for 5+ year-olds.
NCT (National Childbirth Trust) Walk and Talk for new parents at 11am. Chat to other new parents as you explore the park on a guided walk with one of the Bromley and Borders NCT group volunteers. The walk is free and you don’t have to be a member of the NCT to join in. Advance booking required: https://nct.intrabiz.co.uk/cgi-bin/sys.cgi?action=NCT-product-client_view&id=44374434
Tea Dance for Little People
Join Tea Dance for Little People on an interactive adventure walk with our Beckenham Place Park story map. Discover talking trees, magical woods and a park that is full of stories to be made. Back at the TDLP stall we will be collecting ideas for new landmarks that have a secret story life with FREE park frisbees in exchange for submissions. Free story walks at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. 1 hour duration, sign up at the TDLP stand. First come first served. Aged 7 plus (younger siblings welcome. All children must be accompanied by adult.
Police Cadets. Meet young volunteers from the local Police Cadets and speak to them about what they do. If you’re aged 8 or over, you might like to sign up – it’s a great way to give back to the local community, meet new people and develop new skills. https://vpc.police.uk/
Field Studies Council will have nature-related exploratory activities for children and families. These include: Minibeast hunts at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm (bookable on the day), and fun activities about trees.