Events in the park
Please note, the information below is for general guidance and may change with changing covid-19 guidance.
Can I BBQ in the park?
No. Following advice from London Fire Brigade no barbeques are permitted anywhere in the park until further notice and may be extinguished without notice. This is to protect the flora and fauna of the park and also to reduce the drain on resources of the Fire Brigade and water suppliers at this time.
Can I have a family gathering (e.g. birthday party) in the park?
Small gatherings such as a family picnic with no infrastructure (other than chairs) brought into the park are welcome and do not require permission. Larger gatherings of over 100 people require permission. Please contact beckenhamplacepark@lewisham.gov.uk. Please note that bouncy castles or other inflatables are not permitted at any private gatherings.
If having a gathering in the park, we ask you to leave the space as you found it. Please take note of the following:
BBQ’s are currently not permitted anywhere in the park - see previous section.
Gazebos and marquees are not allowed (due to the hazard they can pose to other park users)
Cars are not allowed on the grass and car parking is limited – please see getting to the park and advise guests to do the same.
Take rubbish and recycling home with you. Park bins have limited capacity and often overflow after big gatherings in the park so we would appreciate your help in reducing the amount of waste they have to cope with.
Do not use plastic or foil confetti in the park. Unlike at home or indoor venues, this cannot be swept up and disposed of appropriately. This means it will stay in the park and pose danger to animals. Helium-filled balloons can also fly away and get stuck in trees.
Guided walks in the Park
Guided walks, such as networking walk and talks and themed walks, that are free of charge and for under 25 people can go ahead and do not need to request permission. You’re welcome to let us know it’s happening, but no formal permission is required!
If the walk is paid for and/or for over 25 people event, please contact beckenhamplacepark@lewisham.gov.uk with further details.
Can I have my wedding at Beckenham Place Park?
The Mansion is a registered wedding venue and caters for small wedding receptions for around 100 guests. If you wish to use the grounds for your wedding reception and photos, you will need to contact beckenhamplacepark@lewisham.gov.uk
I work in a school, can we hold our sports day in the park?
This needs to be arranged by contacting us
Who do I contact if I want to bring my students to the park to study nature / environmental education?
Teachers are welcome to conduct self-led visits to the park and no permission is required for this. The Fields Study Council run nature education sessions for schools at Beckenham Place Park.
Can I hire the grounds for an event?
Beckenham Place Park is vast and offers many opportunities for organised events. Visit the hire page for details.
Facilities
What food and drink is available?
The two cafe bars on site have a wide offering of food and drink and there are often events featuring local small independent businesses. Learn more here ⟶
Are the toilets accessible?
The toilets located in the Homestead Courtyard which was renovated and reopened in 2019 are step-free, with sensor taps and soap dispenser. They are open between 9.30am and 8pm in warmer months and 8.30am and 5pm in the colder months. Please note these times can vary slightly and are tagged on to The Homestead Cafe’s operating hours. The facilities are modern and feature a disabled toilet and baby changing tables in the male and female toilets.
There is a supplementary ladies, men’s and disabled toilets in front of the courtyard.
The toilets in the Mansion open during its events programme.
Transport
Is there car parking?
Yes, there is a ‘park and pay’ car park within Beckenham Place Park with 108 parking places including 6 places reserved for blue badge holders and electric charging stations. See full details here.
Please note, from March 2022 there is a new cashless Borough-wide tariff and pay system. If driving, we strongly recommend reading this information before setting off on your journey. The car park becomes full very quickly on weekends and there is very limited parking in the surrounding areas. If you must drive and park in surrounding areas, please do so considerately to other road users and our neighbours.
We strongly advise using public transport, walking and cycling to the park if you can.
Am I allowed to park along the drive?
No. Parking is only permitted in the car park. There are double yellow lines up the drive and enforcement officers regularly patrol the park. Please do not park along the drive as it can restrict access for emergency vehicles. Please do not park on the grass on either side of the drive as it damages the grass and bulbs planted there.
Is cycling allowed in Beckenham Place Park?
We encourage sustainable means of travel to the park. Bicycle parking racks are located in the Homestead courtyard, by the entrance to the lake, outside the entrance to the Mansion and at the back of it.
There are shared paths where cyclists are welcome to cycle. If cycling within the park, please don’t cycle off the paths, especially in the woodlands, as it damages the flora (plants) and can disturb animals including nesting birds. Please be mindful of other park users - give way to pedestrians, take care on bends.
There is also a BMX track on the eastern side of the park. See what’s on section for more details.
Lake
Can I feed the ducks?
The short answer is no. The longer answer is that there is plenty of natural, wild food for them in the lake which is suited to their nutritional needs. So, they don’t need additional food thrown to them. Feeding ducks human food like bread isn’t good for them. It also makes a mess and can encourage vermin. Instead of stopping to throw food to them, why not stop to watch them swimming around and feeding naturally. You might see some such as coots diving down to get food from the bottom of the lake, while others such as mallards dabble on the surface to feed. You might see some wildfowl carrying nesting materials in their beaks too, if it’s nearing spring time.
Are dogs allowed in the lake?
Dogs are not permitted to enter the lake. This is to help maintain good water quality for wildlife and for swimmers. We therefore ask that dog owners keep their dog on a lead around the lake if they are not able to guarantee that the dog will not squeeze through the fence and enter the lake. There are other areas of water in the park that dogs are free to enjoy, including the Swale at the bottom of the hill behind the mansion, and the River Ravensbourne on the eastern side.
Dogs
Can I walk my dog in all areas of the park?
Yes, but please keep your dog under control at all times. It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere. Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:
injures someone
makes someone worried that it might injure them
All dogs must be on a lead in the Pleasure Grounds, Formal Gardens and in the Homestead Courtyard and dogs are not permitted to swim in the lake or to enter either of the park’s playgrounds.
How many dogs can one person walk?
Each person can walk a maximum of four dogs.
Trading in the park
Can I sell my products (for example ice cream or flowers) in the park?
Businesses wishing to trade in the park need a permit and will be identified by wearing a green armband issued by Beckenham Place Park staff. Contact us to apply for a permit.
Members of the public are advised not to patronise businesses without a permit to operate within BPP.
How do I have a stall at your events?
There are currently very limited opportunities for food and non food stalls in BPP. For existing markets in Beckenham Place Park, please visit the events page and contact organisers directly.
BPP very seldom organise events ourselves, but if you’d like to be considered for future events, please complete this form. We will be in touch if an opportunity arises.
Please note, we receive many enquiries about stalls and cannot correspond with everyone, unless a suitable opportunity arises. Aside from other considerations such as quality and safety, our priorities are:
Local businesses
Sustainable environmental practices
Healthy lifestyles
A diverse offer
General
Who owns the park?
Beckenham Place Park has been managed by the London Borough of Lewisham since 1927. Currently, the Eastern side of the park (Bromley Road and Ravensbourne entrance) is managed by a contractor, Glendale. The west side is managed directly by Lewisham’s Green Scene.
The park has a number of buildings that are leased to companies that manage them for the benefit of park users. For example, the Mansion is managed by RJK Property - the people behind Copeland Park and the Bussey Building in Peckham; the Field Studies Council runs the education centre; the lake is operated by PTP coaching; the Homestead Café is run by an experienced independent cafe owner.
What are the park’s opening times?
BPP is always open to pedestrians. Vehicle access changes according to the season. Businesses operating within it have different business hours. Opening hours ⟶
How can I get involved?
Beckenham Place Park staff run weekly volunteering sessions. Volunteers maintain the community garden around Gardener’s Cottage and provide invaluable support in maintaining other aspects of the park including carrying out woodland management.
The Friends of Beckenham Place Park run work mornings on the 2nd (and sometimes 4th) Saturdays of the month to maintain the sensory garden – visit their website for details.
If you’re not able to volunteer, you can still help look after the park. Beckenham Place Park is the largest park in Lewisham and you can help by reporting something damaged, broken or hazardous.
Most importantly, you can set an example and practise good park etiquette such as: taking your rubbish home; bag your dog’s waste and put it in the correct bin. Observing the rules and good stewardship generally is a great way to help Beckenham Place Park remain a welcoming park for all.
Sign up to receive the park’s newsletter here and be the first to hear about events and news relating to the park.
Other
How do I report something broken or vandalised?
Visitors can report something damaged, broken or hazardous in the park online here. Alternatively, contact 020 8318 3986 (option 1) or email beckenhamplacepark@lewisham.gov.uk. Please provide as much information as possible, including location and a photo if possible.
How do I feedback or complain about something?
For feedback, please email beckenhamplacepark@lewisham.gov.uk. For complaints visit the Lewisham website
Can I fly a drone in the park?
Drones fall under the model aircraft section of the bylaws (part 6) and as such are not permitted in Lewisham parks, including Beckenham Place Park. Please review this list of top 10 bylaws or click the link above for more details on unauthorised activity.
What to do if you discover a bee swarm in the park?
There are honey bee hives in the park and occasionally honey bees may swarm. This is particularly likely in May, but also in the summer months. Please do not touch the swarm. Instead please report it to the beekeeper, Peter, by calling him on 07958 909 926. If you cannot reach Peter, please call Lucy Mitchell on 07785692220. In the unlikely event that neither is contactable, you can look up a local beekeeper who is a swarm collector here. The postcode for Beckenham Place Park is BR3 1SY.
When reporting a swarm, please give the exact location using the What3Words location system, which will give a precise 3m square for the location. Visit www.what3words.com or download the app.
How would I arrange for a memorial tree to be planted or a memorial bench to be installed for a loved one?
There are limited opportunities for memorial benches and trees at Beckenham Place Park. Please email beckenhamplacepark@lewisham.gov.uk for details.
What security is in place at the park?
Glendale patrols Lewisham Parks 7 days a week, including Beckenham Place Park. If you’re concerned about a safety issue please contact us or other emergency services as appropriate – see contacts ⟶
Where do I find a map of the park?
Right here: