Blythe Hill Fields

Blythe Hill Fields, also sometimes known as Blythe Hill is an area of elevated open land in the London Borough of Lewisham that commands panoramic views over Canary Wharf, the City, Kent and Surrey. The surrounding areas of Blythe Hill Fields involve Catford to the south and southeast, Crofton Park to the north, and Forest Hill to the west.

Blythe Hill Fields
Blythe Hill
Blythe Hill Fields provides panoramic views of Canary Wharf and the City
Typepublic park
LocationCatford and Forest Hill, London, England
Coordinates51°27′08″N 0°02′00″W
Created1935 (1935)
StatusOpen year round
Websitelewisham.gov.uk
The open space escaped development, partly due to its elevation photo: Malc McDonald, geograph.org.uk

The land stands at an elevation of 70 metres (230 ft) – which may be one of the reasons it escaped development – and was once part of Brockley Farm. A brickworks was also formerly on part of the site and a chimney remained there until 1938. Blythe Hill House was built to the south in 1842 and its grounds covered a large part of Blythe Hill Fields until it was demolished in 1895. The land where Blythe Hill Fields now stands was bought by London County Council and opened as a public park in 1935.[1]

Access

The park can be accessed from a number of different points:

  • Blythe Hill Lane
  • Montacute Road
  • Codrington Hill
  • Brockley View.[2]

The Transport For London buses you can take are the 171, 185, 122, 284, 172, P4 and P12.

Archaeology

Blythe Hill was traversed by the Roman road to East Sussex, known today as the London to Lewes Way.[3] It is classified as an area of archaeological priority.[1]

Blythe Hill Fields friends

The Friends of Blythe Hill Fields, formerly the Blythe Hill Fields User group, is an active group that exists to represent everyone living around or using Blythe Hill Fields. Their purpose is to achieve sustainable improvements and facilities for the benefit of the community. Since 2007, the Friends have organised an annual festival featuring local food traders, musicians, dance troupes and craftspeople.

The children’s playground is situated near to the Blythe Hill Lane entrance. It was refurbished following a grant. This has seen the introduction of educational planting and natural materials in the first upgrade of facilities for many years.[4]

In music

Blythe Hill Fields is the title of a track by singer songwriter Ceri James, of the Welsh group The Mountaineers.

References
  1. "London Gardens Online". London Gardens Online. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  2. "Lewisham Council - Blythe Hill". Lewisham.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  3. "Sydenham Town Forum: the community voice for London SE26 • View topic - London To Lewes Roman Road". Forum.sydenham.org.uk. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  4. "Mayor cuts ribbon to open Blythe Hill Fields Playground". London.groundwork.org.uk. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
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