Inventory Site Record

Although the area remained largely undeveloped until late C18th, Sidcup Green was recorded as commonland in the tithe return for Chislehurst. Goats and donkeys grazed here in earlier times. It was once known as Place Green; part of the commonland was encroached in the late C18th when Charles Minshaw built Place Green House, since renamed Manor House, which faces the Green from the north. The Green appears little changed over the last century and has grass with trees along east and west edges; a raised bank forms the south boundary planted with a line of well grown Lime trees, beyond which are the grounds of Sidcup Place. A C20th War Memorial with ornamental planting faces the Manor House.

Previous / Other name:

Place Green; Sidcup Green

Site location:

Sidcup, Kent

Postcode:

DA14 6BS

What 3 Words:

congratulations.hangs.pulled

Type of site:

Public Gardens

Borough:

Bexley

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Public toilets which serve both Sidcup Park and The Green

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Sidcup then bus. Bus: 160, 229, 269, B14, R11.

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Research updated:

01/07/2005

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.bexley.gov.uk

This area was undeveloped prior to the late C18th; Hasted's Map surveyed in 1783 shows Place Green marked. It was recorded as Common in the tithe return of Chislehurst. There was encroachment when Charles S Minshaw, Lord of the Manor of Footscray, bought Shotts Farm and land from the Frognal Estate in c.1788/9 and built Place Green House now called Manor House (q.v.) on the northern half once the site of the farm. Development of the village accelerated in the C19th, particularly after the opening of the railway in 1866 when a number of residential estates were developed by a Mr D J Tuhey. Up to the C20th on the part known as Place Green, goats and donkeys graze.

Place Green, the northern half of what is now the Green, was laid out in the late C18th to complement the building of the Manor House. Formerly the east-west division, just north of the lime along the raised drive to Sidcup Place (q.v.) was more pronounced and distinguished the southern landscape of Sidcup Place from the northern landscape of the Manor House. The southern part was enclosed to the west and north by thick perimeter planting and entered by the Red Lodge built c.1896 on Chislehurst Road. The lodge has been renovated recently. The Green has a general C19th appearance. There has been the addition of a C20th War Memorial that faces north on Place Green opposite the Manor House. The area now known as the showground together with a small artificial lake, icehouse and fence were removed from 1933 onwards. Limes now border the drive, also holm oaks. The whole area forms a visual whole with the Manor House and Sidcup Place.

Sources consulted:

Hasted E. History & Topographical Survey of the County of Kent p123; LB Bexley, CA Statement of Character. 'The Green Conservation Area: Area Appraisal and Management Plan', March 2009; The Parks Agency 'Commons, Heaths and Greens in Greater London. A short report for English Heritage', 2005

Grid ref:

TQ462714 (546228,171421)

Size in hectares:

0.9

Site ownership:

LB Bexley

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

late C18th; C19th, C20th

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: Manor House, Place Cottage. Local list: War Memorial; 1, 2, 3 The Cottages, and Freeby on The Green

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

Yes: Green (TVG75)

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

The Green, Sidcup

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

Yes

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None

Sidcup Green, July 2005. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.