Inventory Site Record

Queensmead is public open space, part of the complex with Martin's Hill and Church House Gardens. Formerly a meadow and hop gardens, the area below Martin's Hill was purchased by the local Board in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee and set aside for recreational use, renamed Queen's Mead. It was a traditional gathering place for fairs and events, one such being 'Broom Day', an annual celebration when thousands of people gathered wearing sprigs of broom, in celebration of the shrub that gave Bromley its name.

Previous / Other name:

Queensmead Recreation Ground; Queen's Mead

Site location:

Queensmead Road, Bromley

Postcode:

BR2 0ER

What 3 Words:

bring.tiles.shape

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Bromley

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Football pitch, bowling green

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Shortlands

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Research updated:

01/02/2009

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

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

Queensmead is public open space, part of the complex with Martin's Hill (q.v.) and Church House Gardens (q.v.). Up to 1887 the area below Martin's Hill was a meadow and hop gardens. It was purchased by the local Board for £4600 in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee and set aside for recreational use, renamed Queen's Mead. It was a traditional gathering place for fairs and events, one such being 'Broom Day', an annual celebration when thousands of people gathered wearing sprigs of broom, in celebration of the shrub that gave Bromley its name. The programme for Bromley's 'Broom'-Day Gala on 28 June 1933 contained 'the complete Guide to the Carnival, Fair and Fete, Displays and Exhibitions' as well as 'Entertaining Contributions of interest to all', with proceeds in aid of local hospitals and charities.

The park remains primarily for sports use with perimeter planting to the west and south. There is a Silver Jubilee drinking fountain; a sports pavilion and bowling green were provided between 1897 and 1909 as recreational facilities for the residents of the housing that had begun to be built in the area from 1872 onwards. At this time the River Ravensbourne was culverted and its course redirected. The Ravensbourne was the source of power for a mill in this area from at least the time of the Domesday Book in 1086; the C19th use of the mill for grinding mirrors and lenses led to the name Glassmill Lane. The Friends of Bromley Town Parks and Gardens have been seeking restoration of the culverted river, and this has resulted in a major study by Arup / the Environment Agency in 2008. The most ambitious of the options proposed is creation of a new meandering channel across the mead with a variety of water meadow features (funding not yet in place).

The park 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:

Information sheet produced by Friends of Bromley Town Parks and Gardens; An A to Z of Bromley's Parks, Local Open Space & Woodlands, LB Bromley, 2007; M Scott, 'Bromley, Keston and Hayes in Old Photographs', 1993; Programme for Bromley's 'Broom'-Day Gala on 28 June 1933 (Local Studies Library): 'Ravensbourne Restoration - Mission Statement' (Arup / Environment Agencym 2008).

LPGT Volunteer Research by Tony Banfield, 2009

Grid ref:

TQ396691 (539682,169136)

Size in hectares:

6

Site ownership:

LB Bromley

Site management:

idverde

Date(s):

1887

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:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None