Discover West Wickham

You can get to know West Wickham through its landscape and architectural history. West Wickham Common and Spring Park represent different natural features; Wickham Court and the Church of Saint John the Baptist add historic buildings to the picture. If you choose a destination based on specific interests, you can use these highlights as a guide: heathland and woodland, an outdoor activity, or the design and history of individual buildings.

Landscape in West Wickham

West Wickham Common encompasses heathland, woodland and ancient earthworks. Several paths offer opportunities for walking. Several ancient oak trees on the Common are thought to be more than 600 years old. West Wickham Common is part of a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). This brings together landscape features, walking opportunities and conservation status; the estimated age of the oaks adds a sense of history.

Spring Park combines traditional coppiced woodland, ancient trees, hay meadows and a pond with diverse aquatic and plant life. Spring Park is also designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Compared with the Common, it also features hay meadows and a pond, while heathland and ancient earthworks round out the description of West Wickham Common. The two landscapes can thus be distinguished by their features: coppiced woodland, meadows and a pond here, heathland and earthworks there.

Walking, cycling and horse riding

When choosing an activity, it is important to note that the options mentioned are associated with different places. West Wickham Common offers several paths for walking. A permitted bridleway runs along the edge of Spring Park and can be used for cycling and horse riding. This usage information applies to the bridleway; it does not make it a general cycle path. Walking on the Common is therefore clearly distinct from cycling or horse riding on the path along the edge of the park.

Historic buildings

Wickham Court was built by Sir Henry Heydon during the reign of Edward IV. It is a square house with three storeys, five-storey octagonal towers and a crenellated parapet. The number of storeys refers to different parts: three for the house and five for the towers. The shapes are also distinct: the square body of the house contrasts with the octagonal towers, while the crenellated parapet is another architectural feature. Alongside the historical context of its builder, the building has specific features that can be used to describe its design.

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is a late-15th-century parish church that incorporates older masonry. The date and the reference to older fabric complement one another: the church’s construction date and the presence of older masonry are two different aspects. Wickham Court, by contrast, is described through its named builder and specific design. West Wickham thus offers both a house and a parish church for architectural comparison.

Discover more destinations: Hayes, Biggin Hill, Bromley, Beckenham, Chislehurst.

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