Inventory Site Record

High Broom Wood is a linear area of ancient woodland with the River Beck running north/south at the bottom of steep sided banks. Most of the trees are semi-mature having a scrub and bramble understorey. Paths, which in places have traces of metaling, meander through the woods. Occasional open spaces are largely overgrown. There is rich plant life here with a number of rare wetland plants growing. Trees on the higher land include sweet chestnut, oak coppice and birch with alder lower down.

Site location:

St David’s Close, West Wickham

Postcode:

BR4 0QZ

What 3 Words:

club.studio.intro

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Bromley

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Occasional nature walks organised by Park Rangers

Public transport:

Rail: West Wickham, Eden Park. Bus: 119, 194, 198, 356, 358, 494.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

19/07/2023

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

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

High Broom Wood was originally part of the Monk’s Orchard Estate and parts may have been the garden of Oak Lodge house but the building of Bethlem Hospital in 1928, which opened in 1934, and the construction of Monks Orchard Road in 1931 divided High Broom Wood from the rest of Bethlem Hospital (q.v.).  The other boundary of High Broom Wood is now formed by St. David’s Close and Chamberlain Crescent, which were built on farmland in the 1950s and 1960s.

During WWII, High Broom Wood was used as a dump for material from adjacent bomb-damaged houses; remnants of this material can still be seen on the pathways and has been uncovered during conservation work undertaken by the Friends of High Broom Wood, which was set up in 2007. The wood is now managed by idverde UK, which in June 2015 was contracted by Bromley Council for the management of the borough's parks, green spaces and countryside service, a relationship that was extended in April 2019 for a further 16 years. 

Sources consulted:

Friends of High Broom Wood 

Grid ref:

TQ375667 (537580,166650)

Size in hectares:

7.2

Site ownership:

LB Bromley

Site management:

idverde; Friends of High Broom Wood

Date(s):

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

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Urban open space