Six Lewisham parks have been named among some of the best in the capital in the London in Bloom awards 2024.

The London in Bloom campaign and awards celebrates London’s projects to improve the city through parks and greenspaces.

The awards focus on the aim to make London a greener place to live and recognises the work of volunteers to increase biodiversity across London neighbourhoods.

This year, six parks across Lewisham borough received awards, with three receiving the highly coveted gold award and a further three receiving silver awards.

This year, six parks across Lewisham borough received awards, with three receiving the highly coveted gold award.This year, six parks across Lewisham borough received awards, with three receiving the highly coveted gold award. (Image: Lewisham Council) Cllr Louise Krupski, Deputy Mayor of Lewisham, said: “I am incredibly proud to see Lewisham smashing it again at the London in Bloom awards!

“We are really proud of our borough’s award-winning parks and conservation areas, improving wellbeing for our residents and increasing vital biodiversity in our borough.”

We’ve rounded up all this year's winning parks in Lewisham and why we think you should pay them a visit this Autumn.

Beckenham Place Park

Beckenham Place Park received a Gold Large Park award this year, the park on the borders of Lewisham and Bromley measures 237 acres and dates back hundreds of years.

Beckenham Place Park received a Gold Large Park award this year.Beckenham Place Park received a Gold Large Park award this year. (Image: Lewisham Council) Today, the park is home to a historic Grade II* listed Georgian manor house, along with landscaped gardens, a lake and a woodland trail.

The park is home to landscaped gardens, a lake and a woodland trail.The park is home to landscaped gardens, a lake and a woodland trail. (Image: Lewisham Council) Runners can also take advantage of a 5km running circuit, as well as a bike trail and skate park, and the lake is also a great place for wild swimming, making it an ideal park for sports.

the park is home to a historic Grade II* listed Georgian manor housethe park is home to a historic Grade II* listed Georgian manor house (Image: Lewisham Council)

Forster Memorial Park

Another gold-winning park this year was Forster Memorial Park, this park located off Whitefoot Lane in Catford has remained similar to how it would have been 1,000 years ago.

Forster Memorial Park has remained similar to how it would have been 1,000 years ago.Forster Memorial Park has remained similar to how it would have been 1,000 years ago. (Image: Lewisham Council) The park, originally woodland, features a play area along with a cycle route, outdoor gym and two large football pitches, making it a popular location for families and sports.

​The park, originally woodland, is a popular location for families and sports.​The park, originally woodland, is a popular location for families and sports. (Image: Lewisham Council)

Devonshire Road Nature Reserve

This small nature reserve stretching over just 6 acres received a Gold for Small Conservation Area award this year.

This small nature reserve received a Gold for Small Conservation Area award this year.This small nature reserve received a Gold for Small Conservation Area award this year. (Image: Lewisham Council) The reserve forms part of the Forest Hill to New Cross Gate railway and has been created to provide homes and protection for London’s urban wildlife, with meadows, woodland areas and ponds making up the small scenery.

The reserve is open to the public to visit on the last Sunday of every month from 1pm until 5pm, if you fancy a chance to see how this space accommodates London’s wildlife.

The reserve has been created to provide homes and protection for London’s urban wildlife.The reserve has been created to provide homes and protection for London’s urban wildlife. (Image: Lewisham Council)

Brockmill Park

Winning a Silver Gilt award in the Small Park category, Brookmill Park is a small nature reserve stretching 9 miles, with the inclusion of the River Ravensbourne.

The park features a route for cyclists as well as a children’s play area and a lake, while it's also home to an ornamental garden and a nature reserve, making it a great place for lunchtime strolls and autumn walks.

Garthorne Rod Nature Reserve

Another Silver Gilt winner in the category of Conservation Area was Garthorne Road Nature Reserve, stretching over four kilometres in length this reserve is an integral site for wildlife habitats in London, consisting of woodland and grassland that remained after the construction of the London to Croydon Railway in 1839.

You can visit the reserve on the 3rd Saturday of every month between March and October, and with its woodland areas and trails it makes a great place for a picnic.

Frendsbury Gardens

The final park on this year's list is community gardens Frendsbury Gardens in Brockley, this park received a Silver Gilt award in the category of Small Park.

Starting off as a wasteland used by fly-tippers, this park was salvaged by locals who worked with Lewisham Council to turn the park into an oasis for nature, along with some help from lottery funding.

Today, the park is used as a place to learn about nature, along with monthly wellbeing and gardening sessions run by the volunteers to help maintain the upkeep of the gardens.

If you visit you’ll find a number of ornamental beds along with fruit and vegetable patches, a pond and two domes to explore, making it a great place for a picnic or casual walk.