Great places to visit in your borough that you may have missed

Manor House Gardens

Manor House Gardens. Pic: Manor House Gardens Wiki Commons

Manor House Gardens is a family-friendly park which is situated in Lee. It is a great place to spend some time in the surroundings of its luscious features, which include a Fountained Lake, (complete with an authentic habitat for ducks, geese) a wildflower area, a cafe, a dog exercising area, and tennis courts.

The park used to be an estate owned by various Barons and Lords up until 1900. The Library, which overlooks the park, serves as a spot for reading or relaxing.

Fun Fact:  The Manor House Gardens hold an Icehouse which is thought to date back to 1773. After 1900, it was used as stabling for a local builder’s ponies, and during WWII served as an air-raid shelter.

 

Ladywell Fields

Ladywell Field. Pic: Stephen Craven (Geography.org)

Since its renovation in 2007/8, Ladywell Fields has become one of Lewisham’s finest green spots in recent years. It  has a river flowing through the middle of its main field, where paddling and river dipping has become a popular activity in the summer. The park is long and stretches all the way to Catford. It has a children’s playground, a skate park, tennis courts, and an extensive adventure playground.

Fun Fact:  Ladywell was originally a medicinal well.

 

Hilly Fields

Hilly Fields Pic: Marathon (Geography.org)

Hilly Fields offers a wide, panoramic view of the City. There are numerous activities and events happening all year round, from fitness classes to football games. The park houses tennis courts alongside open ping-pong tables and a children’s play area.

Fun Fact: Brockley’s Hilly Fields rises to 175 feet above sea level.

 

Chinbrook Meadows

Chinbrook Meadows. Pic: Derek Harper

Chinbrook Meadows is located just beyond Lee in Grove Park. With restoration and developments made in 2002, the River Quaggy now flows naturally through the park.  It also has tennis courts, a cafe and exercise routes.

Fun Fact: Chinbrook Meadows hosts an annual dog show.

Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs. Pic: Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

The 30+ Grade-1 listed sculptures that make up the Crystal Palace dinosaurs are the world’s first dinosaur statues. The model dinosaurs are free to view all year round.

Fun Fact: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were ‘fascinated’ by the dinosaur displays in Crystal Palace, and they visited the site several times.

Lewisham Micro Library

Micro Library. Pic: The Lewisham Micro Library

 

The Lewisham Micro Library is said to be London’s smallest book repository. The telephone box/Library which stands near the corner of Loampit Hill and Tyrwhitt Road has operated since 2013 as a book exchange.

Fun Fact: Library users started a weekly book club based on whatever books are in the box. Discussions take place at the local pub.

 

Mudchute Park and Farm

Mudchute Park and Farm. Pic: Wiki Commons

Set in 32 acres of countryside, over 100 animals bring this farm to life including cattle, sheep, pigs, coats, donkeys, llamas, chickens, ducks, geese and an aviary.

Fun Fact: Mudchute Park and Farm is one of the largest inner-city farms in Europe.

Croydon Palace

Croydon Palace. Pic: Wiki Commons

Visit this historic building which has been rooted in Croydon’s history for many years with parts of the property dating back to Norman times.

Fun Fact: Croydon Palace was the summer residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury for over 500 years.

 

Whitechapel Gallery

The Whitechapel Gallery. Pic: The Whitechapel Gallery.

The Whitechapel Gallery is a public art gallery in Aldgate on the north side of Whitechapel High Street. It hosts many exhibitions, many of which are free.

Fun Fact: Whitechapel Gallery was opened as a public gallery in 1901

 

Old Spitalfields Market

Old Spitalfields Market. Pic: Stephen McKay

Old Spitalfields Market is a covered market in Spitalfields in London’s East End.

Fun Fact: There has been a market on the site for over 350 years.

 

 

Victoria Park

Victoria Park. Pic: Ben Rimmer (Flickr)

Victoria Park is a park in Bow in the East End of London. The park spans 86.18 hectares or roughly 213 acres of open space.

Fun Fact: The park was opened in 1845 and stretches out across the northern part of Tower Hamlets, bordering parts of Bethnal Green, Globe Town, Hackney and the rest of Bow.

 

 

 

 

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