Inventory Site Record

The Commons comprise grassland, heath, ponds and woodland that were once grazing land for Chislehurst and St Paul's Cray. In the mid-C19th encroachment threatened the commonland in order to extract gravel and develop the land for housing, which was opposed by a group of local residents. Their successful challenge led to the Metropolitan Commons (Chislehurst and St Paul's Cray) Supplemental Act passed in 1888, which set up a voluntary Board of Conservators to protect and preserve the land for the benefit of the community. Woodland now covers much of the former scrub and grassland although ancient acid grassland remains in parts. Former gravel pits form the 2 largest ponds now found on the commons and there is also a well-preserved cockpit. Numerous paths cross the commons and a number of recreational facilities are located here, such as the West Kent Cricket Club Ground. The Imperial Memorial is found adjacent to Prince Imperial Road.

Site location:

Royal Parade; Prince Imperial Road; Ashfield Lane; St Paul Cray's Road

Postcode:

BR7 6NN

What 3 Words:

camp.sleepy.ages

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Bromley

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

no cycling permitted, horse riders on permissive bridlepaths

Facilities:

Events:

Various annual events, including the Crowning of the May Queen, The Big Draw, Open-Air Cinema, Rotary Cub Summer Fair and Chislehurst Chase; plus special events. Guided Walks

Public transport:

Rail: Chislehurst.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

04/01/2023

Last minor changes:

05/01/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. https://chislehurstcommons.uk

Historically the Chislehurst and St Paul's Cray Commons were two entities associated respectively with the Manor of Chislehurst (since 974) and the Manor of Scadbury and St Paul's Cray, jointly owned by the Walsingham in the C16th. Chislehurst Common is located to the north-west with St Paul's Cray Common to the south-east. The commons remain privately owned by the Lord of the Manor and in September 2017 the Chislehurst Society purchased the freehold on behalf of the community. Chislehurst Commons was set up as a charity with a Board of Conservators, now known as Trustees, in order to maintain, protect, regulate and conserve the commons with funds raised through grants and charitable donations to cover its upkeep, which is undertaken by 2 paid full-time Keepers, with volunteers assisting their work. At least four of the 16 Trustees are required to be landowners or occupants of properties facing the common.

A number of monuments are located on the Commons, including the Prince Imperial Monument and the War Memorial. The Imperial Monument commemorates Louis Napoleon, son of Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie, who were exiled in 1870 after the Franco-Prussian War and came to live at Camden Place, now Chislehurst Golf Club (q.v.). It was raised by public subscription in 1881. Chislehurst War Memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Bloomfield and erected with donations from local people, was unveiled on 20 October 1920. Its site by Royal Parade was selected by Bloomfield and permitted by the Chislehurst Commons Trustees, who continue to maintain it, including bi-annual planting of the surrounding flowerbeds, donated by Coolings Nurseries. 

West Kent Cricket Club has had its cricket ground on Chislehurst Common since 1822, making it one of the oldest places where cricket has been played. A number of other open spaces and woodland abut Chislehurst Commons, including the Petts Wood and Hawkswood Estate (q.v.), Scadbury Nature Reserve and Tong Farm.

Sources consulted:

https://chislehurstcommons.uk/history/

Grid ref:

TQ442702 (544207,170232)

Size in hectares:

73

Site ownership:

Chislehurst Commons

Site management:

Chislehurst and St Paul's Cray Commons Conservators

Date(s):

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: The Prince imperial Monument; Chislehurst War Memorial; K6 Telephone Kiosk

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:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Chislehurst

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes

Green Belt:

Yes

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Other LA designation:

None