Hayes offers two distinct ways to plan your visit: nature along the Ravensbourne Trail, and local history on the Hayes Trail and at individual buildings. The subjects range from Bronze Age activities on Hayes Common to the medieval parish church of St Mary the Virgin and the Parish of Hayes in 1914. When comparing the two trails, you can consider not only their themes but also their different lengths and layouts.
Protected areas and early history
Hayes and Keston Commons were designated a Local Nature Reserve by the London Borough of Bromley in 2011; a small part of Hayes Common is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The two designations cover different areas: SSSI status applies specifically to only a small part of Hayes Common.
Between 1000 and 700 BC, Bronze Age people ground grain and wove sheep’s wool on Hayes Common. These two activities give the nature theme a tangible human dimension and place it within a clearly defined period.
The Ravensbourne Trail
The Ravensbourne Trail passes rare heathland and wet meadow habitats, heathland, acid grassland and ancient coppice woodland. The route, about 2.5 miles long, is marked by numbered or signposted posts. The variety of habitat types gives the trail a distinct nature focus. Check route conditions before setting out for a walk.
The Hayes Trail: route and history
The Hayes Trail is about 6 miles long in total and is divided into five walks. This makes it longer than the Ravensbourne Trail while also giving it a clear structure. The circular route follows the surviving buildings of the Parish of Hayes from 1914. It explores who lived in the buildings, what happened to the residents and how the war affected Hayes. When choosing a route, there are therefore two different points of reference to consider: habitat diversity and a local history tour divided into sections.
Church and local landmarks
St Mary the Virgin is a medieval parish church dating from the 13th century and the oldest building in the village of Hayes. As a single building, it complements the two themed trails with a clearly dated perspective on the area’s architectural history. If you would rather explore local history through a building than a route, it offers a distinct point of reference.
If you organise the history by period, you will find three very different starting points: prehistoric work on Hayes Common, the 13th-century church, and the residents and effects of the war covered by the Hayes Trail. The reference to 1914 relates to the Parish of Hayes, whose surviving buildings the circular route follows.
The Millennium Rock in Hayes is outside the library, at the edge of the path. Hayes Library offers events and activities for all ages, including reading groups and Rhyme Time sessions. Check the current schedule if you want to plan for a specific event, as schedules and activities can change.
Discover more destinations: Chislehurst, Beckenham, West Wickham, Bromley, Biggin Hill
Go to the main travel overview: Bromley.
