Old Perry Street, Chislehurst, BR7 6PT
Scadbury Park Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Source image
6.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.8At the centre of Scadbury Park, the water-filled moat still surrounds the ruins of a medieval manor. The estate landscape now brings together woodland, open meadows, ponds and paths on the edge of Chislehurst.
A substantial patch of countryside with more to discover than a straightforward park walk: woodland and meadows sit alongside a surviving medieval moat and manor ruins. The Acorn Trail links the landscape’s natural and historical character.
Peaceful · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapOld Perry Street, Chislehurst, BR7 6PT
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore Scadbury’s connected countryside and history on foot: follow a section of the Acorn Trail through woodland and meadows, then seek out the moated manor ruins. Paths may be muddy, according to the supplied walk listing.
Things to do
Follow the Acorn Trail
Use the park’s named walking route to explore its woodland, meadows and biodiversity. The RSPB Bromley Local Group describes the trail as the best way to get to know the park.
Find the moated manor ruins
Look for the remains of Scadbury Manor on its moated island. The moat still contains water; the site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, according to the RSPB Bromley Local Group.
Explore the woodland and meadows
Notice the shift between the park’s woodland and open pasture, with hedges, ponds, streams and ditches also recorded in the reserve.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: woodland and manor ruins
- 01
Enter from one of the reserve’s listed access points and follow a suitable section of the Acorn Trail.
- 02
Take in the woodland and open-meadow landscape.
- 03
Visit the moated manor ruins if conditions and access allow, then return by a route you can retrace.
Half day · Around half a day, depending on route and pace
Make a half day of it: follow the Acorn Trail
- 01
Start at a confirmed park entrance and use the Acorn Trail to explore the reserve.
- 02
Look for the changing landscape of woodland, open meadows, ponds and hedgerows.
- 03
Make the moated manor ruins a focal point of the walk.
- 04
Bring refreshments: there are no refreshments in the park. Nearby cafés, restaurants and pubs are reported in Chislehurst and Sidcup.
Verified history
Scadbury was a private estate until the mid-1970s. The site was first settled around 1200, and the Walsingham family lived here in Tudor times; their house stood within a moat. The moat remains, while only ruins of the manor house survive. Bromley acquired the site in 1983, it was designated a Local Nature Reserve, and it opened to the public in 1985. The moated island and immediate area are a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Hidden details
The moat still holds water — Look for the water surrounding the island where the manor once stood; the RSPB Bromley Local Group says the moat remains water-filled.
A reserve threaded by long-distance paths — The London LOOP crosses the park east to west, while public footpath 44 runs north to south; sections of both are incorporated into the Acorn Trail.
A patchwork of habitats — The RSPB Bromley Local Group identifies woodland and open meadows as the two main habitats, alongside hedges, small streams, ditches, ponds, scrub and thickets.
When to go
· No verified recommendation supplied.
The supplied sources do not establish a particular season as best.
A supplied walking listing advises bringing muddy boots. Check conditions before setting out.
Worth pairing with
Chislehurst and Sidcup cafés, restaurants and pubs
The RSPB Bromley Local Group reports refreshment options in nearby Chislehurst and Sidcup. No specific business is verified here.
What to look for
- 01
The water-filled moat and manor ruins on the moated island
- 02
the contrast between woodland and open meadows
- 03
ponds, hedgerows and small streams.
The story
Medieval manor; Tudor-era Walsingham family
Best time to go
No verified best season supplied. Check local conditions before visiting.
No verified seasonal or time-of-day recommendation is available in the supplied sources.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 7:30am-7pm
- Tuesday: 7:30am-7pm
- Wednesday: 7:30am-7pm
- Thursday: 7:30am-7pm
- Friday: 7:30am-7pm
- Saturday: 9am-7pm
- Sunday: 9am-7pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A public nature reserve opened in 1985. The reserve website lists car parks at Old Perry Street and St Paul’s Wood Hill. Check current access information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The reserve website lists a car park at Old Perry Street and another at St Paul’s Wood Hill. The RSPB Bromley Local Group describes the Old Perry Street car park as holding about 20 cars and says the southern car park is less busy. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
No toilet facilities in the park, according to the RSPB Bromley Local Group.
Food & drink
No refreshment facilities in the park. The RSPB Bromley Local Group reports cafés, restaurants and pubs in nearby Chislehurst and Sidcup.
Dogs
Check current reserve guidance before visiting; dog rules are not verified in the supplied sources.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park but says the entrance is not wheelchair-accessible. The terrain and trail accessibility are not verified; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
Ponds, moat, small streams and ditches
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Scadbury Park Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
