Sometimes we take the area we live in for granted, we live there without actually living there. Let me explain this, how often have you thought of exploring your area? Or of researching the history of your local area? So many of us are guilty of falling into a monotonous trap every day of getting up, leaving for work, University etc. and then coming home, totally oblivious to our surroundings. On a weekend, we choose to travel further a field to places such as London instead of staying closer to home and connecting with the little gems that exist only a stones throw away from our neighbourhoods. But this is all about to change (hopefully). Bexley is beautiful, I am proud to live here; the aim of this article is to help you discover five natural hotspots in the Borough of Bexley that you HAVE to check out. So, without further ado, let us begin:
Hall Place is truly breath-taking, after a half hour ramble through the gardens, you truly feel as if you have been transported back to the 18th/19thcentury and that Mr Darcy will come sauntering round the side of a bush at any moment. The gardens extend and sprawl across 65 hectares of land and feature a wide variety of plants and trees, allotments, miniature secluded gardens, herbaceous borders and a romantic wildflower meadow. A prominent feature of Hall Place Gardens, aside from a little lake with wildlife such as swans and ducks, is its stunning Queen’s Beast topiary sculptures, all of which are carefully cultivated and religiously maintained.
They really do resemble gigantic chess pieces and wouldn’t look out of place in the Queen of Heart’s garden in Alice in Wonderland! Hall Place is also home to a sub-tropical glasshouse (my favourite feature this natural hotspot has to offer) with a wealth of exotic plants and different species of cacti, as well as fish and terrapins. Neighbour to the greenhouse is also a butterfly garden where for a small fee, you can enter and watch the butterflies majestically fly above and around you and maybe even land on you… Overall Hall Place is perfect for families, groups of friends, or also to go alone and immerse yourself in nature. This is one of our favourite natural hotspots!
The second natural hotspot you have to check out in Bexley is Danson Park, which is a park of special historical interest. The Charter Oak is a noteworthy attraction and can be found in the middle of the park; it is over 200 years old thus as well as absorbing water into its roots, the oak tree is also saturated with history and the community of Bexley.
The Charter that promoted Bexley from an Urban District to a municipal Borough was presented under this very tree in 1937, and the tree is now famously recognised on the Borough Coat of Arms. Danson Park is also home to a variety of different gardens such as the Old English Garden, the Rock Garden and the Peace Garden- you can expect to find pagodas adorned with all species of flowers as well as a miniature winding mazes and a tropical Zen fountain and pond. If the weather is lush, take advantage of the boating lake and hire a boat to float and peruse the beautiful scenery Danson Park has to offer.
In a previous article which explored the top 5 pubs in the Borough of Bexley, I mentioned the Wharf. Again I will mention it but to focus on its location as opposed to the food and drink on offer (but it can’t hurt to sample these whilst you are there right!). The Wharf pub is situated in a relaxing location at edge of Cotton Lake, making this natural hotspot the perfect place to sit back, relax and unwind from the stresses of everyday life whilst staring out at the hypnotic water.
There was no way that Lesnes Abbey Woods could be left off of the list of natural hotspots that you have to check out in the Borough of Bexley. It is an area of ancient woodland, named after the ruined Lesnes Abbey which it shares its grounds with, and which is regarded as an ancient, sacred monument.
The woods are also home to kept fishponds which filter a small stream, as well as a fine display of wild bluebells and daffodils which bloom in the Spring. In addition to being a Local National Reserve, the woods also include the Abbey Wood Geological Site of Special Scientific Interest where early Tertiary fossils are buried. Overall, Lesnes Abbey Woods really is a natural jewel hidden in Bexley which I don’t think enough people appreciate. Ps: make sure you look out for the tree with a face carved into it! This is one of the best natural hotspots!
The Five Arches is a picturesque area of woodland and open grassland spanning an impressive 240 acres in size, and named so due to the stunning bridge located halfway across the park which has The River Cray running through it. The sound of the water makes it an ideal location to sit and reflect and allow yourself to be transported elsewhere.
It is a favourite location amongst families as well as couples and dog walkers- it is romantic and scenic yet also practical for children who can be seen on their bikes and having a kick about. But don’t just take my word for it, why not have a mooch around the grounds and decide for yourself whether or not you consider it a worthy contender for the top five natural hotspots in Bexley.
Birmingham is the UK's second biggest city, it's also one of the youngest cities in Europe with almost 40% of…
As an incoming university first year, you've heard a lot of things from a lot of different people. They may…
We all know from David Attenborough that the world is in danger, and we can help change that with sustainable…
My house is situated within commuting distance from London, in a town called Bexleyheath; it takes me about thirty minutes…
Now despite hipsters supposedly all being unique, there are definitely trends within the hipster fashion sphere. For me, summer was…
If you're a woman who has never gotten into jewellery and accessorising, it might be because women's jewellery just isn't…
