Panoramic views aren’t just for postcards. Here at Blythe Hill Fields, they’re a daily reality. This elevated park in the London Borough of Lewisham gives you vistas stretching over Canary Wharf, the City, Kent and Surrey.
Blythe Hill Fields is also sometimes simply called Blythe Hill. It’s an area of elevated open land. Catford sits to the south and southeast. Crofton Park is to the north. Forest Hill lies to the west.
The land rises 70 metres above sea level. This height may have saved it from development. It was once part of Brockley Farm. A brickworks also stood here. Its chimney remained until 1938. Blythe Hill House was built to the south in 1842. Its grounds covered much of what is now Blythe Hill Fields. The house was demolished in 1895.
The London County Council bought the land. It opened Blythe Hill Fields as a public park in 1935.
You can get to the park from several points. These include Blythe Hill Lane, Montacute Road, Codrington Hill, and Brockley View.
Blythe Hill’s history goes back further than you might think. The Roman road to East Sussex passed through here. It’s known today as the London to Lewes Way. This area is an archaeological priority.
The Friends of Blythe Hill Fields are very active. They work to improve the park for the community. Since 2007, they’ve held an annual festival. It features local food, music, dance and crafts.
Near the Blythe Hill Lane entrance, you’ll find a children’s playground. It was upgraded with educational planting and natural materials. A tiny forest has even been planted recently.
Blythe Hill Fields isn’t just a place it’s also a song. Ceri James, of the Welsh group The Mountaineers, wrote a track called “Blythe Hill Fields”.
Today, Blythe Hill Fields is still developing. New trees are being planted. Most of the park is open and grassy. It’s especially pleasant on summer evenings. From the top, you can see Brockley Cemetery. You can also view Hilly Fields, Lewisham’s new flats, Canary Wharf, the Shard, and the City.
On the lower slopes towards the River Ravensbourne, young trees are growing. The plan is to develop a woodland. There are many sycamore and ash trees.
Around the park’s edge, there’s a Trim Trail with outdoor gym equipment. There’s also a table tennis table. The Friends of Blythe Hill Fields are protective of their local park. They organise events. Blythe Hill Fields is a lovely place to relax. Visit it as the sun sets over the City. You might be surprised by what you discover.