Lewisham: Cultural Venues and Green Spaces

A Victorian bathhouse turned gallery, a Compton organ in a theatre and ancient woodlands in a large park reflect the variety of destinations in Lewisham. Depending on whether you prefer exhibitions, performances, markets or nature trails, you can focus your stay in different ways.

Cultural Venues and History

The free, family-friendly Horniman Museum and Gardens is in Forest Hill. Its internationally significant collections include anthropology and musical instruments; there is also an aquarium, a butterfly house and a natural history collection. The gardens were officially opened to the public on 1 June 1895. The site therefore offers insights into a range of collection areas as well as a long history as a garden.

In Catford is the Grade II listed Broadway Theatre. Its long history includes variety, comedy and Black theatre productions. The theatre also houses a historically significant Compton organ dating from 1932, designed for classical concerts, community concerts and theatre use. In New Cross, Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art is a free public gallery in a redesigned Victorian bathhouse.

The Albany is a leading arts centre in Deptford, hosting music, theatre and family performances, as well as other events, every year. The venue is about 250 metres from Deptford station, which is served by National Rail. For your own visits, you can therefore take both cultural offerings and finding your way around the station into account as practical planning points.

The history of the borough documented by Lewisham Heritage goes back more than 500 years; the earliest entry dates from 1476. The Lewisham Heritage reading room is in Catford Library and is for people looking for information about the borough’s past. Materials available there include historic maps and photographs, local history books, microfiche records and electoral registers.

Green Spaces and Nature

At 98 hectares, Beckenham Place Park is the largest green space in the borough of Lewisham. Large areas of ancient woodland are suitable for woodland walks. The narrow Downham Woodland Walk stretches for just over one and a half kilometres and consists mostly of ancient woodland; most of it is probably ancient. The Green Chain Walk runs along this route between Beckenham Place Park and the Hither Green Grove Park nature reserve.

Sue Godfrey Nature Reserve is free to enter throughout the year, with access from all four sides. More than 200 species of wildflowers, shrubs and trees have been recorded there over the past 15 years. At Dacres Wood Nature Reserve, ponds and wetlands date back to the old Croydon Canal; they are of great importance for nature conservation.

A natural space was created in the northern part of Ladywell Fields by rerouting the river. With a little luck, you can spot resident kingfishers and a heron at Ladywell Fields. The upper part of Telegraph Hill Park offers views across London—another aspect of nature and landscape alongside the woodlands and wetlands.

Walking, Cycling and Local Experiences

The Waterlink Way runs from Deptford Creekside to Beckenham Place Park and is an almost car-free route for walking and cycling. The section between Ladywell Fields and Lower Sydenham is recommended for relaxed family cycling and for people using a wheelchair or handcycle, or pushing a stroller. Check access conditions for this section before setting off. Quieter on- and off-road cycle routes also run near or through Beckenham Place Park.

Creekside Discovery Centre protects and improves unique river and wildlife habitats and offers a Low Tide Walk at Deptford Creek. Another regular outdoor activity takes place at Mountsfield Park: a free 5 km event is held there every Saturday at 9 am. You can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.

Markets and Visit Planning

The historic Lewisham Market on Lewisham High Street sells fresh food, fabrics, clothing and household goods. Brockley Market in Lewisham offers, among other things, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese, doughnuts, cookies and fresh bread. The range of goods gives you different points of reference if local markets are among your travel interests.

Whether your plans focus on culture, markets or walks, Lewisham offers a range of specific destinations. The distance to Deptford station helps you find your way around The Albany; for nature experiences, the Waterlink Way and the green spaces offer further possible points of reference for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Barking And Dagenham, Merton, Greenwich, Ealing, Kensington And Chelsea, Tower Hamlets, Bexley, Waltham Forest

For the main travel overview: Greater London.