Inventory Site Record

Baxter's Field is on sloping land that remained open land as housing gradually surrounded it from the late C19th. The OS Map of 1952/3 shows the north-west part in use for allotments, with playing fields to the south-east crossed by a line of trees, and provided with a drinking fountain, but it is unclear whether this was public open space or part of the adjacent Sydenham School grounds. By 1970 it all appears to be one site, crossed by a path on the line of the former boundary between allotments and playing field. A plaque erected by the Sydenham Society in 1980 at the west entrance gives information about George Baxter (1804-1867) after whom the park is named. Now sandwiched between suburban housing the park is largely grass with railed shrubberies, a few trees, a perimeter path and another path crossing the park between the entrances.

Site location:

Radlet Avenue/Charlecote Grove

Postcode:

SE26 4BP

What 3 Words:

round.hungry.tune

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Lewisham

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - sunset

Special conditions:

www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/openspaces/parks

Facilities:

Playground

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Forest Hill then bus.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/04/2002

Last minor changes:

05/02/2024

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/openspaces/parks

According to the plaque on the site George Baxter was an engraver and printer who lived in The Retreat, Peak Hill. In 1827 he married Mary Harrild, daughter of printer Robert Harrild who lived at Round Hill Cottage near the park. Harrild manufactured printing equipment and was developer of the Sydenham Park Estate. Baxter developed a more economical method of printing in colour, which he patented in 1835. He died in an accident with a horse drawn vehicle and is buried at Christ Church Forest Hill (q.v.).

Sources consulted:

Darrell Spurgeon, 'Discover Sydenham and Catford', (Greenwich Guide-books, 1999).

Grid ref:

TQ348724 (534850,172450)

Size in hectares:

0.99

Site ownership:

LB Lewisham

Site management:

Greenscene Department, Glendale Grounds Management

Date(s):

1950s

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:

Public Open Space