Bridgehouse Meadows (Lewisham)
Brief Description
Bridgehouse Meadows is a public park that incorporates a separate nature reserve. New Cross is deficient in accessible wildlife sites so Bridgehouse Meadows provides a welcome opportunity to enjoy a variety of wildflowers and a walk through open grassy areas skirting the railway line, with large areas suitable for dog walking. The path snakes around some hills and provides distant view of City buildings and there is even a glimpse of Millwall Football Club's stadium (The Den) on the horizon. The hills are most likely the result of the banking that remains from the site's previous use as the New Cross Greyhound and Speedway Stadium. This stadium was in use from c.1900-1969. Though once significant for the local community it was demolished in 1975, leaving the open site that is enjoyed today. In 2010/11 when TFL closed access to the meadows and used them as their headquarters (albeit temporarily) there were online protests. Under a new housing scheme approved by Lewisham Council in January 2022 'improvements to the existing park at Bridgehouse Meadows' are now projected for the future.
Practical Information
- Previous / Other name:
- New Cross Greyhound and Speedway Stadium
- Site location:
- Access from Surrey Canal Road, Winslade Estate, Hornshay Street, John Williams Close
- Postcode:
- SE14 5RY
- What 3 Words:
- change.amber.hogs
- Type of site:
- Public Park
- Borough:
- Lewisham
- Open to public?
- Yes
- Opening times:
- unrestricted
- Special conditions:
- Facilities:
- Events:
- Public transport:
- London Overground/Rail: New Cross Gate; South Bermondsey, Queens Road (Southern Rail)
- Research updated:
- 31/08/2022
- Last minor changes:
- 31/08/2022
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/openspaces/parks/bridgehouse-meadows
Full Site Description
New Cross as a general area was a crossroads on the Kent and Surrey border. In the C15th it was still heavily wooded. One major influence in the development of the area was that of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers - an ancient London merchant guild associated with the silk and velvet trades. The Company built and leased substantial houses to its members, having acquired much of the land in 1614 as a charitable endowment. The company developed the land ever more intensively after the coming of the railways in the mid C19th and many of the large Victorian houses were subdivided. In the 1970s many houses were replaced by council estates and by the 15 acre Fordham Park (q.v.).
Sources consulted:
LGT Volunteer Research by Rosanna Cavalla, 2021/2022
Sources consulted:
https://www.goparks.london/park/bridgehouse-meadows. Accessed 27/11/2021; https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/openspaces/parks/bridgehouse-meadows Accessed 27/11/2021; https://hidden-london.com/gazetteer/new-cross Accessed 27/11/2021; https://www.habshatcham.org.uk/Our-Sponsors/ Accessed 27/11/2021; https://en.wikipedia.org./wiki/New_Cross_Stadium Accessed 27/11/2021; https://deptforddame.blogspot.com/2010/10/deptford-xtrabridge-house-meadows.html Accessed 05/02/2022; http://www.newbermondsey.com/the-scheme Accessed 05/02/2022
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ355777 (535586,177776)
- Size in hectares:
- 27.952
- Site ownership:
- LB Lewisham
- Site management:
- Glendale Grounds Management
- Date(s):
- 1975
- 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:
- Area of Archaeological Priority
- Other LA designation:
- Public Open Land; Green Corridor (part of site)
Photos
Bridgehouse Meadows: Far end of path, February 2022. Photograph Rosanna Cavallo
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2022 Click a photo to enlarge.
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
