Probably the jewel in Beckenham's crown and easily the finest park in the area. Like all great…read moreparks, this was originally the landscaped gardens of the Kelsey Manor Estate. Encouraged by the local newspaper, the Beckenham Urban District Council purchased it 100 years ago, saving it from extinction. Built on the River Beck, the large ornamental lakes provide an amazing array of waterfowl that I'd always taken for granted. Maybe it's because I used to be easily scared by Canadian Geese! Apparently, if you want to see Herons in the South East of England, this is the place to go. Alternatively, do what I do and just talk to the Canadian Geese like a madman. Not so scary now, are you? The park is very long, and not very wide in sections, and long walks meander through the trees and over the river. Large lawns provide awesome picnicking and loafing opportunities. What I like about the park is the many elements working together to create a park for all. The Northern sections of the park are quieter, whilst the South East of the park has all the action, with a Children's play area, tennis courts and a recently-refurbished cafe. I really love this park. No, it isn't well-known and you're not going to see it referenced in a movie but it's our St James' Park. And from the amount of use it sees, everybody around here agrees.

I really enjoy coming down to this quaint little park just down from the Natwest in Beckenham high…read morestreet for a bit of parklife in the summertime. The main focal point is a small lake populated by Canada geese and ducks, running down to a small waterfall and stream (no it's not for sale). You can probably walk it in about 15 minutes, but what's the hurry? Loadsa room to find a spot even when its perfectly sunny; I've spent some really lazy summer afternoons here relaxing with friends and a picnic without being bothered by anyone else. There's room for a kickabout or a spot of Frisbee, a couple of tennis courts and a good sized play area etc for the kids to scream and run around in if that's your thing. There's usually an ice cream van in the middle, but I doubt there'll be much need for him in winter.

I go there every day and I regard it as my big back garden, as do the dogs...a brilliant park, we…read morecount ourselves blessed to have the best park for miles around on our doorsteps with ever-approachable staff ready to deal with anything...and great for the grandkids and the thousands of visitors on summer weekends...

This is a fab place to go! Big car park, where you then wait for the little train that for a…read morenominal fee will take you in to the main park area. There you will find the usual play equipment along with a boating lake, a cafe, sand pit and fab paddling pool! Take a picnic and you are sure to have a brill day out!

Norman Park hosted the big Bromley fireworks this year along with an enormous fun fair and bonfire…read more The event seemed well-run and safety personnel were present and visible. I'd like to return during the day as it seemed like a great flat space with a paved area that would be perfect for roller skating. Easily accessible from a few sides, not too muddy, lit well enough at night that it wasn't dangerous. It's not one of those beautifully tended, landscaped parks, but a good one for athletics.

It's a bit of a dull park really - just a big open circle of green - but it's quite a useful space…read morefor active people in the area. There are always people kicking around a football or football games going on at the weekends; or young athletes doing track practice; or joggers doing laps of the track. It's also a great place for dog walkers and there's a good community feel to this, as fellow dog walkers will always say hello to each other, which is quite nice! It's big enough to let dogs off the lead and let them run around and play with the other dogs - far enough away from any main roads. There are also the woods attaching onto Norman Park which you can venture off into. They usually have a really good fireworks display here each year too.

Your review helps others learn about great local businesses…read more This park consists of 37 acres of open space which make up the Chislehurst and Walden Recreation Grounds. There are two fields linked by a walk through Whyte's Wood with its many birds, flora and fauna and even a trunk carved by Will Lee of some bears. Further woodlands and undeveloped open space stretch on from Walden Rec. During the winter when the trees have no leaves you can see Canary Wharf from the top of the hill. A Green Chain Walk runs through this park, linking the recreation grounds to an extensive network of footpaths. Chislehurst Recreation as it is known, is home to Elmstead Football Club (new grass and layout 2013) and the Chislehurst Lawn Tennis Club. Both clubs cater for all ages and run coaching sessions for children. You can also find the Chislehurst Invicta Scout Group in the grounds on the site of where the old playground used to be. The new playground area, was opened in May 2011. There is play things for all ages abilities. You can find a zip wire here, swings, slides, climbing train, etc. There is plenty of space to have picnics in the area and those wanting to sit in the shade, a circular bench surrounds a large oak tree. The play area is a dog-free zone as is fenced off. Events take place throughout the year such as Fireworks Night (fee) and Chislehurst Rocks (which is free) Chislehurst Rocks was held on September 6th 2014. Keep an eye on our events page for the date of next years free music festival. This park can be accessed from Walden Road, Empress Drive and the High Street. Limited on-street parking is available in Walden Road and Empress Drive. However this park is a short walk from the main High Street car park. The Library car park is even easier as it has a footpath leading directly into the park. Parking in both car parks is free after 6.30pm and on Sundays. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.

Read some reviews before going, and found that most were correct…read more Not to sure were the people posting 28/11/2008 went, but there are NO steps anywhere in the Chislehurst Caves. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and found it exciting and full of information. We also had a lovely meal at the Cafe' pretty reasonably priced as well. Best part I think was it is nice and cold down there. would definitely recommend a visit. Q

This was the first cave tour I've participated in and it was an interesting experience. Getting to…read moreChislehurst Caves is a walk and a half. We took a train there so we had to walk maybe 1.5 miles. We didn't mind as there were a lot of nice "cottages" to look at along the way. We used our London Pass. The cave tour was so fun and very informative. It's super dark in there so they provide a few lamps. Our tour guide was a nice old lady who knew a lot about the cave. She told us a ghost story which fitted the occasion considering it was dark in there. I had to stay close to my bf after that. The cave was also used during WWII for shelter and what was interesting was that a whole community lived underground. They have statues of people in certain areas of the cave which depicts how these people lived there during that time. I got scared a few times of these statues. lol. A stage was also present in one area. Apparently, it was also used as a music venue in the 60's and our tour guide mentioned that Jimi Hendrix performed on that stage. We only visited a small part of the cave, as it is an endless place with many tunnels. If you get lost, I don't think you'd ever get out. The cave was cold, but I live in Hawaii so anything below 70 degrees f is cold. Bring a sweater and also walking shoes.

0 Customer service ! Today I realised I had an activity no show fee on my account for a yesterday…read moreclass. Funny thing is that I was at that class yesterday but the staff was new and she had no idea how to deal with another no show fee on my account. So she let me in and that's why I had that fee on my account . I called today and I spoke with a guy on the phone explaining the issue. He said he is going to remove both my fees on my account. After few hours I called again since the fee was not removed and he answered after a long wait that he will remove it when he will have time, he is busy doing other staff. I explained I have a class at 5 pm and I don't want to explain again the full story to another adviser. He did not listen nor removed my fees. I arrived at the gym and I asked to speak to the same guy. I was very frustrated with the poor level of service already. He did not apologise nothing. Instead of listening to me he decided to tell me I am rude and he called his general manager. The general manager was very rude and not listening. I explained to him is not about the money for those fees. I explained I am unhappy with the fact I was wasting time all day on the calls and no one had time for their customers; The general manager threaten me in front of everyone that will cancel my membership. In the end he did not so why the threating then? What a rude staff all together. If you don't have time to deal with your customers and you don't care about customers feedback then you should not operate as a business. Customers are important because they drive revenues. You should listen more and make some time for your customers if you want to grow as business.

Over the summer the kids get a break from training with Anaconda swimming club - our usual 4…read moresessions a week turns into a weekly tour of the best leisure pools in reach of London with an emphasis on fun. We are big fans of slides and flumes and each year seek out the new and return to old favourites. And this pool is an old favourite - perhaps the all time favourite. 39 minutes on the train from Blackfriars and you emerge at Swanley and then a 10/15 minute walk through the grim shopping centre (not a single coffee shop - what is that about?) and some residential greenery and you find the rather uninspiring (at first sight) Whiteoak Leisure Centre. Two floors down in the basement is a rather lovely L shaped 33m pool with a dedicated diving area (1m, 3m and 5m boards). No slides or water jets or bubbles or waves on offer. However, through a door to the back of the pool was the flume area - 3 great slides Shark - a superfast straight slide that belongs at Thorpe Park, Dolphin a more leisurely and longer slide and the Whale - a giant sit on inflatable ring slide. Minimal queues and great fun. On our last visit we spent nearly 3 hours sampling the delights, doing some training lengths and jumping from the 3m boards. Honestly if your kids love to swim then this is a journey you really should make. The changing rooms are a bit tatty and the showers are only ok - skip the cafe plenty of green spots for a picnic - none of that matters as these flumes are really the best in reach of London (that we have discovered so far). We probably make the trek here 4 times a year - best on a really hot day as the flume area can get chilly if not warmed up by sunshine.

This is the largest open space in the Borough of Bexley and lends itself to the variety of wildlife…read morehabitats .It consists of a rolling landscape, ancient woodland, the River Cray and its adjacent woodlands and wildflower margins. Large areas of Footscray Meadows are now managed as wildflower meadows, but this has still left large areas available for ball games, kite flying & picnicking. Visitors are attracted to the site for a number of reasons but the majority is to enjoy the diverse wildlife here from the aquatic wildlife in the large lake and the River Cray to the woodland wildlife in the vast areas of woodland. Within the meadows spanning the River Cray is Five Arches Bridge. There are many walks to be had around here and some longer walks pass through.

a must for dog and horse lovers, marked bridle paths are all around the perimeter as this is a very…read morehorsey area so be warned for the uninitiated 2 white stripes painted on a tree means a bridleway NOT for walkers dogs or children brilliant place to get away from it all but like most places nowadays out of holiday times is best .the locals know the parking places just ask in the white cross inn on the north cray road .there used to be a few affilliated horse shows here every year not sure if this still happens

Churchill Gardens are gorgeous. You can get to them from off the high street, by the Churchill…read moreTheatre, or from the entrance located near Bromley Parish Church. The gardens are basin shaped with a rabbit warren of paths leading you down to the ponds where you can find duck, geese and some tame but neurotic squirrels. I really enjoy the views from higher up near the entrances; you can see over into the Shortlands area of Bromley. There's a whole load of benches dotted around the gardens and a kind of roman patio area too. This isn't really a picnic place; more of a ramble around spot. Really quaint and pretty.

For a local theatre, this is a great venue. Although ticket prices aren't cheap, you can get a…read morecultured night out and save on train fares and the expense of drinks in London. A huge variety of shows play here, from Christmas pantomimes to the comedy to opera. The seats are comfortable and spacious and the quality of the performances is usually high. Unfortunately, shows aren't on all year round but the website is kept up to date so it's always worth a look when planning a night out. Get on the mailing list for regular updates. Discounts are available for friends of the theatre.

This centre is so unexpected - you'd never think to find somewhere this flash on the Downham…read moreestate! There's a huge pool, a very new gym, classes and Costa Coffee. Downham library is also in the building, and a Health Centre. The creche is the best - great value for money and amazing staff - both my children have to be dragged out of there. My favourite classes are spinning with Ellie and Hi-Lo Aerobics. The only down side is the car park - you can only park for 2 and a half hours - be careful as it's done by camera and if you go over you get slapped with a fine automatically. With so much to do in there, it's easy to spend a lot longer there - I always have to run out and re-park!

I would have to say that the swimming pool at the Downham Health and Leisure centre is the best…read morepublic swimming pool in the borough of Lewisham! It's still pretty new as it was built nearly three years ago and has been maintained well ever since. The swimming pool has got a great viewing gallery and the swimming pool looks out onto the the green fields of Durham Hill! The gym facilities are of a good standard too - I was pleasantly surprised! They do not have a sauna, steam room or jacuzzi though, but they do have fitness classes. I recommend the Spinning sessions - they are very popular, but very punishing for the legs! I would recommend that you travel there by bicycle (there are lots of places to lock your bicycle outside the Centre) or use public transport, because the parking is very limited. If you're lucky to get a space, the you only have two and a half hours otherwise you get fined £90 - so be warned!