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Petts Wood and Hawkwood
An oasis of peace and tranquillity only 13 miles south-east from the centre of London. Pedestrian access to Petts Wood and Hawkwood through the Hazlemere Road underpass.
Chislehurst, Kent, BR5 1NZ
Opening times for 17 December 2024
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We maintain an extensive network of paths, rides and a bridle path across the estate. There is no right of access across the pasture or arable fields, which form part of a working farm. Cyclists and horse riders are asked to use only the bridle path as indicated by blue and white markers on trees. Information panels about the site and leaflets about our walks are available.
Steps/uneven terrain
By road
Situated to the east of Bromley (A21), to the south of Sidcup (A20) and to the north of Orpington (A21/M25), Petts Wood and Hawkwood is 13 miles south-east of central London.
The estate is situated with the A222 to the north, the A208 running along the eastern boundary and railway lines forming Chislehurst and St Mary Cray junctions to the south.
Parking: there is no on-site parking.
On foot
Petts Wood – footpath entrance situated on Hazelmere Road, 30m from junction with Towncourt Crescent. TQ447683. Access from A208 Chislehurst Road via Birchwood Road.
Chislehurst – footpath entrance situated at end of Gosshill Road. TQ436690. Access from A222 Bickley Park Road via Blackbrook Lane/Barfield Road or Coates Hill Road (unmade road).
St Paul’s Cray – various footpath entrances off A208 Orpington Road/St Paul’s Cray Road to Petts Wood or adjoining St Paul’s Cray Common. TQ454690
By train
Nearby there are 3 stations, with easy access from London and Kent.
Petts Wood (approx 0.6 miles / 0.9 km) - turn right at the top of the footbridge and exit to the east side of the station. At bottom of steps turn left into Station Square and follow the road around past the parade of shops. Turn left out of the Square and continue on to Woodland Way. Turn right into Towncourt Crescent. At end road turn left into Hazelmere Road for 30m. There is a signed footpath on the right-hand side of that leads to the woods via an underpass. TQ447683
Chislehurst (approx 0.33 miles / 0.5 km) – on leaving station turn right into Station Approach. Cross Summer Hill (A222) via the footbridge. Follow Gosshill Road, an unmade roadway, until the end of the public road. On the left-hand side is a footpath that leads to the estate – cross bridge over the Kydd Brook to Pond Wood, or turn right and follow footpath alongside the Kydd Brook. TQ436690.
St Mary Cray (approx 1 mile / 1.5 km) – turn left and exit to the north side of the station. Turn left into Sayes Court Road. At the end of the road bear right and turn left into Lessons Hill. At the top of the hill cross Orpington Road and enter woods via St Pauls Cray Common. TQ 454690.
By bus
Services 61, 162, 269, 273, R1, R2 and R3 run close to Petts Wood and Hawkwood.
No.61 Chislehurst – Bromley North Station. Alight Orpington Road stop and enter woods. TQ453683
No. 162 Beckenham Junction – Eltham Station. Alight Chislehurst Station. Turn into Gosshill Road (unmade road), and follow until the end of the public road. On the left-hand side is a footpath that leads to the estate – cross bridge over the Kyd Brook to Pond Wood, or turn right and follow footpath alongside the Kyd Brook. TQ436690.
No. 269 Bexleyheath - Bromley North Station. Alight Chislehurst Station. Turn into Gosshill Road, an unmade roadway opposite Station Approach, and follow until the end of the public road. On the left-hand side is a footpath that leads to the estate – cross bridge over the Kyd Brook to Pond Wood, or turn right and follow footpath alongside the Kyd Brook. TQ436690
No. 273 Petts Wood Station - Lewisham (Tesco). Alight St Pauls Cray stop and enter woods via St Paul’s Cray Common. TQ453691. R1 Green Street Green – St Paul’s Cray (Grovelands). Alight Bridgewater Close, walk to top of Lessons Hill, cross Orpington Road and enter woods via St Pauls Cray Common. TQ453690
R2 Petts Wood Station – Biggin Hill Valley. Alight at Crossway stop. Walk along Crossway, turn left into Hazelmere Road. 60m ahead there is a signed footpath on the right-hand side that leads to the woods via an underpass. TQ447683
R3 Locksbottom (Princess Royal Hospital) - Chelsfield Village. Alight at Crossway stop. Walk along Crossway, turn left into Hazelmere Road. 60m ahead there is a signed footpath on the right-hand side that leads to the woods via an underpass. TQ447683
By bicycle
View local cycle routes on the NCN website . On site please remember cyclists should only use the bridlepath as indicated by blue and white markers on trees
Planning your visit
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Petts Wood & Hawkswood Map
Take a look at the map of Petts Wood and Hawkwood to help plan your visit
Highlights
Wood
Over 300 acres of peace and tranquillity, only 13 miles from the centre of London in the south east.
Things to see and do
Article
Escape and explore Petts Wood and Hawkwood
Explore this woodland haven for wildlife, enjoy the peace and quiet here – so close to central London – and discover the plants and animals that live in this idyllic spot.
Article
Points of Interest Trail at Petts Wood and Hawkwood
Admire the tranquillity of countryside only 13 miles south-east from the centre of London on this circular walk of Petts Wood and Hawkwood.
Upcoming events
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About Petts Wood and Hawkwood
Full of natural history, the area is a haven for all kinds of bird, butterfly, amphibian and plant life.
William Willett, the leader of the movement to have British Summer Time recognised, is remembered in the woods with a stone memorial sundial. A similar stone memorial can also be seen in the Edlmann Memorial Wood for our donors Robert and Francesca Hall and for Colonel Edlmann, who saved this part of the estate from development.
The eastern part of Petts Wood - the Willett Memorial Wood - came to us in 1927. The Hawkwood Estate and the remainder of the woodland was donated to us in 1957, with the entire estate now covering 136 hectares or 338 acres.
History
Article
The history of Petts Wood and Hawkwood
Although it's just 13 miles from central London, the rural feel of Petts Wood and Hawkwood has been preserved since the woodland was saved from development before the Second World War.
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