Inventory Site Record

Marten’s Grove Park is an extensive, oblong park, occupying part of the former grounds of a mid C19th house, Marten's Grove. Major changes were made to the house in the 1860s after which it remained virtually unaltered until the estate was sold c.1927, the house demolished in 1932. Land to the north of the house was unsuitable for housing and it was offered to Crayford UDC for use as a recreation ground, which opened on 1 July 1933. The ornamental lake was transformed into a swimming pool, which eventually closed in 1986.

Site location:

Martens Avenue, Barnehurst

Postcode:

DA7 6AN

What 3 Words:

bags.match.priced

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Bexley

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Basket ball/ netball courts

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Bexley then bus; Barnhurst then bus. Bus: 96.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/02/2011

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

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

An extensive park, oblong in shape, occupying part of the grounds of Marten's Grove. Marten’s Grove house was built in 1850 by the then owner John Shaw (architect and surveyor) in association with the builder Mr G Lock. Lock and Nesham also built and designed nearby Oakwood (q.v.). Shaw purchased c.70 acres of freehold land of Marten’s Grove Wood. After Lock died in 1854 the two houses were sold to Mr Robert Lloyd in 1861. Lloyd made major changes to the house after which it remained virtually unaltered until the estate was sold to a property developer some time after it went on the market in 1927. The house was demolished in 1932 and most of the site was developed for housing but much of the land to the north of the house was unsuitable for housing and it was offered to Crayford Urban District Council for use as a recreation ground. The Council eventually agreed to purchase 22 acres. Martens Grove Recreation Ground was opened on 1 July with the large ornamental lake transformed into a swimming pool. The pool became too expensive to maintain and finally closed in 1986. The park embodies a variety of landscapes. Entering from Spring Vale there is a long ravine with steep wooded sides that widens into a flat grass area, the site of the swimming pool. Beyond this a finger of woodland and a steep slope continues east, eventually becoming a short lane leading out onto an old road near the junction.

There are two blocks of ancient woodland (NCC 1985), predominantly Oak on the hilltops, specimen trees apparently later planting. Between the two woods are specimen conifers, flowering shrubs, and incongruous rose beds. Part of the east woodland is underplanted with Laurel, and including a large Copper Beech, but this is now in the separate ownership of a school. The municipal layout of paths is good, with beautifully made curving paths up and down the slopes.

Sources consulted:

Darrell Spurgeon, 'Discover Crayford and Erith', Greenwich Guide Book, 1995

Grid ref:

TQ501754 (550244,175347)

Size in hectares:

12.26

Site ownership:

LB Bexley

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1848; 1854; 1927; 1933; 1986

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

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

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

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:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Borough II importance

Green Belt:

Yes

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None