Discover Beckenham Place Mansion
Beckenham Place Mansion is an elegant Palladian-style mansion, situated in Beckenham Place Park in the London Borough of Lewisham. After years of neglect this Grade II* listed Georgian building has been revived, and now serves as an arts and cultural centre, offering a range of activities. It houses artist studios, a yoga and wellbeing centre, arts and crafts classes, a record shop, and a café. Regular special events such as food and vintage markets, pop-up cinemas, and concerts ensure there's always something happening for visitors of all ages.
The restoration project was run by Copeland, known for transforming disused buildings into thriving community spaces. The company actively encourages the community to host events, share ideas, and support the businesses and events at the mansion, believing that is how it will become a core feature of the community.
History of Beckenham Place Mansion in London
Originally known as 'Stumps Hill,' Beckenham Place Mansion was built between 1760 and 1762, as a grand family home for John Cator, a prominent English timber merchant, landowner, and politician. Cator, born on 21st March 1728, and serving in the House of Commons from 1772 to 1793, also acquired estates in Blackheath, Addington, Croydon, and Waltham Forest. From 1773, he began developing the mansion’s surrounding parkland.
Cator's father-in-law, botanist Peter Collinson, was a frequent visitor and praised the estate in 1762 for its thriving plantations and beautiful setting. Cator himself had botanist interests and introduced many exotic tree species. Today the estate has around 60 species of trees.
The mansion remained with the Cator family until the 20th century, though it was primarily rented out during the 19th century. It served various purposes, including as a boys' school and sanatorium in the early 20th century. In 1927, London County Council purchased the estate, and by 1929, the golf course, established in 1907, became England's first municipally owned course. During World War II, the park was used as a prisoner of war camp and for defensive measures. Since 1972, the mansion has been managed by Lewisham Borough Council.
Features of Beckenham Place Mansion and Park
Covering 96 hectares (237 acres), Beckenham Place Park is the largest parkland in the London Borough of Lewisham. The park is divided into two sections, east and west, by a railway line. The only connections between these sections are a bridge north of the Ash Plantation woodland and the paths near Ravensbourne railway station. This separation makes the mansion and its parkland unique, creating distinct areas with varied features and attractions, including a sensory garden designed for visitors with sensory impairments.
Incorporating ancient woodlands and a variety of habitats, Beckenham Place Mansion and the surrounding parkland is one of the finest wildlife sites in Lewisham. As a result it has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. It is also integrated into the Green Chain Walk and Capital Ring, which are networks of walking routes connecting green spaces across London.
Some of the area’s important tree species include oak, wild service tree, sweet chestnut, an old mulberry tree, and an ancient Turkey oak tree. This Turkey oak, reputedly the second oldest in Britain, survived an arson attack in the 1990s but eventually succumbed to wind, age, and vandalism in 2002.
Renovating Beckenham Place Mansion
In November 2016, a new chapter began for Beckenham Place Mansion as a dedicated team took on the roles of resident caretaker managers. Their initial efforts culminated in a relaunch of the mansion in April 2017, but even before this official reopening, they kept the cafe operational, ensuring the community had a space to gather.
Prior to the changeover, the golf club used the mansion's basement for their pro shop, cafe, and changing rooms. The ground floor had limited use: one room was designated for the Friends of Beckenham Place Park, while the remaining spaces were used for Lewisham Council department meetings. This underutilization was why the project was picked up by Copeland.
Repairs and Improvements
In 2019, Beckenham Place Park underwent a significant £6.8 million regeneration project, supported by Heritage Lottery funding. This project included the closure of the public golf course and the opening of new attractions such as a wild swimming lake and a BMX track.
The Copeland team also repaired broken windows, addressed minor electrical issues, and fixed the boiler, which were all necessary to make the mansion safe and functional. Additionally, they installed WiFi throughout the building to support the needs of resident artists and tenants.
To increase the mansion's visual appearance, festoon lighting was hung around the balcony and along the park path. This lighting installation not only improved visibility and safety but also made the mansion more inviting for visitors and resident artists.
Things to Do at Beckenham Place Mansion
Art and Culture
The Mansion contains art studios where local artists can create and showcase their work. There is also a sewing school, “Know How You”, offering a range of creative classes for all abilities. From taster sessions to comprehensive courses, participants can learn skills like embroidery, dressmaking, rag rug making, and knitting. The supportive and relaxed environment ensures that everyone is attended to and can develop their skills at their own pace.
Special Events
Beckenham Place Park offers a year-round program of events, including food and vintage markets, workshops, open-air cinema, music festivals, and free community events. Yoga and wellbeing classes cater to various levels and are designed to help participants find balance and relaxation in a serene setting.
One special event is Peckish 2024, which runs from June 13th to August 15th every Thursday evening from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm. This event features a variety of pop-up food outlets, quality DJs playing summertime tunes, and the Mansion Bar serving cocktails and local craft beers. It's a perfect way to enjoy a summer evening with great food, music, and drinks.
Dining and Relaxation
With cosy indoor seating in the Garden Room and a sunlit outdoor beer garden, the Mansion Bar and Café provides fantastic views over Beckenham Place Park. The café serves a daily menu of sandwiches, soups, toasties, and baked treats from The Blackbird Bakery. The coffee is supplied by local coffee makers, Hundred House Coffee, and there's a selection of craft beers to enjoy. Standard opening hours are 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday, and 9:00 am until 6:00 pm on weekends.
Shopping
Verso Vintage Shop is a popular destination for treasure hunters, looking for antique and vintage pre-loved items. From mid-century furniture and homewares to men's and women's clothing, the shop specialises in decorative glass, ceramics, and jewellery from various eras. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, and the friendly team, Alison and Carola, are always happy to chat with young collectors, advise on items, and buy from customers.
Community and Venue Hire
Beckenham Place Mansion is a multi-use venue with several spaces available to rent. It is an ideal location for weddings, parties, classes, workshops, and a range of public-facing events such as markets, concerts, exhibitions, and performances.
Outdoor Activities
The newly restored lake in Beckenham Place Park, managed by PTP Coaching, is a fantastic spot for outdoor activities. The lake provides a natural space for wild swimming and wetlands that support birdlife.
Visiting Beckenham Place Mansion
Beckenham Place Mansion operates primarily through pre-booked classes and public events. Visitors interested in exploring the mansion should check the "What’s On" page for specific event times and dates. For those looking to book the venue for weddings, private events, photoshoots, or filming, prior booking is essential.
Beyond Beckenham Place Mansion with CityDays
If you’re interested in exploring other mansion and gardens throughout London, we think you will enjoy one of our CityDays Food Hunts and in particular, the Taste of Soho Mystery Picnic, London.
This unique scavenger hunt allows you to discover the vibrant tastes of Central London. Follow a trail of puzzles around the area's best cafes, delis and bakeries, collecting free picnic bits along the way.
Along the way, you and your teammates will solve clues that interact with the streets themselves to unlock fascinating facts along with your delicious prizes. The food hunt culminates in the enjoyment of your delicious picnic, in a charming secret garden!
We think you’ll love it but for more information on this tour, and our other London Scavenger Hunts click here: Top 12 Immersive London Treasure Hunts & Scavenger Hunts | CityDays.
