Bexleyheath: Architecture, Garden Culture and Water Sports

Bexleyheath can be discovered through two distinctive travel themes: historic architecture and a wide range of activities on the water. In addition, there are gardens with their own individual character and good transport links to central London. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Bexleyheath can therefore choose between cultural discoveries, a stay surrounded by greenery and active days by the lake.

Experience Architecture and History Consciously

A prominent landmark is the Clock Tower at the western end of Market Place on Broadway in Bexleyheath. The Grade II listed building was constructed in 1911 by architect Walter Epps using stone and red brick. The tower thus connects a clearly identifiable historical era with a specific place in the townscape of today.

Danson House also offers an insight into architectural history: Sir John Boyd had the house built in 1766 for his second wife, Catherine Chapone. It was originally designed by architect Sir Robert Taylor. This provides a cultural focus for your trip, centred on individual buildings and the stories behind their creation.

Red House adds the Arts and Crafts tradition to this focus. The house was designed by Philip Webb for William Morris in 1859. The garden features Arts and Crafts-style planting, an apple orchard and a rose arch. From May to October, Red House is open for tours that can be booked in advance. If you would like to include this visit in your plans, you should allow for the tour as a fixed part of your day.

Danson Park: Gardens, Lake and Activities

Danson Park is open around the clock, 365 days a year. The park includes a 12-acre lake that provides the setting for a range of activities. Danson Park Adventures offers water- and land-based activities as well as courses for people aged eight and over and for all ability levels. Options include sailing, kayaking, canoeing, bell boating, stand-up paddleboarding, rowing, motorboating, bouldering and orienteering.

Public rowing boats and small pedal boats can also be hired. This means that a stay by the water can be enjoyed in different ways: you can choose a supervised activity or a course, or explore the lake by rowing or pedal boat. For families with children aged eight and over, the wide range of options makes it possible to combine shared interests without limiting the day to just one activity.

Transport and Choosing Your Accommodation

Bexleyheath is the borough's most important bus transport hub. From Bexleyheath railway station, trains reach central London in around half an hour. This information is particularly useful if, when choosing your accommodation, you are considering not only your stay in Bexleyheath but also a trip into central London.

When searching for a suitable holiday apartment, it is worth deciding on your preferred travel focus in advance: culture enthusiasts can include the Clock Tower, Danson House and Red House in their plans, while water sports and lake activities create a different daily rhythm. For further destinations to help with your planning, see Bexley, Erith and Sidcup. This allows you to compare which location best suits the discoveries you have planned.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bexley.