Waymarked circular walking routes in Bromley usually take two to four hours and are suitable for walkers of all abilities. They are part of a large network that runs through parks, recreation areas, open countryside, the Green Belt and public rights of way. So walking here ranges from a manageable circuit to routes on a regional scale.

Walking Trails Between Town and Countryside

The Green Chain Walk is a 50-mile network of green trails in southeast London and crosses Bromley from Chislehurst Common to Crystal Palace Park. The London Outer Orbital Path follows a different route: this 150-mile circular trail runs around Outer London and passes through three Local Nature Reserves in Bromley as well as West Wickham Common. The Capital Ring, meanwhile, is 78 miles long, circles Greater London and passes through Cator Park and Crystal Palace Park. The different lengths and route types offer a practical guide when planning how long to walk.

A striking landscape feature is High Elms Country Park. On the North Downs ridge at the edge of the Thames Basin, it offers 250 acres of landscape to explore. High Elms is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve. Chalk grassland and woodland provide habitats for a variety of wildlife, including species that are rare in London. Here, protected nature areas and a varied landscape come together.

Traces of History and Distinctive Park Views

Crystal Palace Park brings together a range of discoveries. The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs comprise around 30 figures, including amphibians, reptiles and mammals; they are set on islands in the lakes on the Penge side of the park. The park also has a dinosaur trail. Its maze is 49 metres wide and has entertained visitors since the 1870s. Other features include the Italian Terraces. Crystal Palace Subway, meanwhile, is a Grade II*-listed relic of Victorian architecture.

Many areas of the park are accessible to people with disabilities. These include paths surfaced with asphalt or level, compacted gravel, as well as an accessible toilet and accessible parking. Accessibility arrangements may change during regeneration work in the park; check before your visit.

At Down House, history is closely connected with Darwin’s work: it was Charles Darwin’s family home for forty years. He worked on his theories there and wrote On the Origin of Species. The extensive gardens served as his “outdoor laboratory” and as the setting for many discoveries. The ground-floor rooms also tell the story of that period: using photographs from the 1870s and many original objects, they have been reconstructed to look as they did in Darwin’s time. The original objects were returned there after the house was converted into a museum in 1929.

Chislehurst Caves reveal a different history of use. Over the centuries, they were excavated to mine chalk for lime burning and brickmaking, as well as flint. During the Blitz, they served as a deep air-raid shelter, protecting more than 15,000 people each night. Today, they are a tourist attraction and educational centre; entry is only possible as part of a guided tour.

Museums and Other Historical Perspectives

The RAF Biggin Hill Museum tells the story of RAF Biggin Hill through the personal experiences of those who served there and the community that supported them. The RAF Biggin Hill Walking Trail is 1.6 miles long and suitable for walkers of all abilities. Bus route 320 departs from Bromley South and stops outside the museum; check the service before travelling. The Nightingale Café serves lunch, tea and cake; offerings may change.

Crofton Roman Villa also offers a glimpse into the past, with excavated, consolidated and preserved remains. Priory Gardens reflects a different historical influence. It was converted into a public garden in 1952 and shows the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. Together with Darwin’s working landscape, Victorian heritage and trails through open countryside, these sites create a varied picture of discoveries in Bromley.

Discover more destinations: Hayes, Chislehurst, Bromley, West Wickham, Biggin Hill, Beckenham, Lambeth, Bexley.

For the main travel overview: Greater London.