Chislehurst Guide
Local Area
Landmarks, services, schools, and everything you need to know about living in Chislehurst.
Landmarks
Chislehurst Highlights
Nature & Heritage
Chislehurst Commons
180 acres of ancient woods, grassland, heathland, and ponds — protected since 1888 under the Metropolitan Commons Act. Designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), the Commons are home to rare plants, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. In 2017, The Chislehurst Society purchased the freehold to secure its future for the community. Managed by up to 16 voluntary trustees.
History & Adventure
Chislehurst Caves
22 miles of man-made tunnels, originally chalk and flint mines mentioned in a 9th-century Saxon charter. During WWI: ammunition storage for the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. During WWII: air-raid shelter accommodating up to 15,000 people, with electric lighting, toilets, a chapel, and a hospital. In the 1960s, the caves became a legendary rock venue — Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin all played here.
Historic House
Camden Place
Home to the antiquary William Camden (1609–1623), and later to the exiled French Emperor Napoleon III (1871–1873) after his defeat at Sedan. Royal Parade was named in 1870 to commemorate Napoleon's residency. Now the Chislehurst Golf Club.
Nature Reserve
Scadbury Park
Over 300 acres of Local Nature Reserve and Site of Metropolitan Importance. Contains the moated manor house ruins of the Walsingham family — connected to Elizabeth I's spymaster Francis Walsingham and playwright Christopher Marlowe's patron Sir Thomas Walsingham. Home to 12 ponds with one of London's finest great crested newt populations.
Parish Church
St Nicholas Church
The medieval parish church and oldest standing structure in Chislehurst. Many former Kemnal Road residents are buried in its churchyard, including the Gould sisters (first residents of Woodheath), the Fords (builders of Hoblands), and Judge Hurst.
Memorial
Kemnal Park Cemetery
A 55-acre GreenAcres cemetery opened in 2013 on the former Kemnal Manor estate lands. Features a non-denominational chapel, 30,000 burial plots, and a dedicated Muslim burial ground. The site includes ancient woodland recognised for its diverse birdlife.
Local Democracy
Ward Councillors
Kemnal Road is in the Chislehurst ward of the London Borough of Bromley. All three ward councillors represent the independent local party Chislehurst Matters.
Education
Local Schools
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Health
Healthcare
The Chislehurst Partnership
GP surgery at 42 High Street, BR7 5AQ
📞 020 8295 8280
chislehurstpartnership.nhs.uk
Princess Royal University Hospital
Nearest A&E
Farnborough Common, Orpington, BR6 8ND
📞 01689 863000
Urgent Care Centre: 8am–8pm daily
Queen Mary's Hospital
Frognal Avenue, Sidcup, DA14 6LT
📞 020 8302 2678
Outpatients, day surgery, diagnostics
No A&E department
Getting Around
Transport
Rail
Chislehurst station (opened 1865) is served by Southeastern Railway, with direct services to London Charing Cross, London Bridge, and Cannon Street via Lewisham. Journey time to central London is approximately 25–35 minutes.
Bus
Local bus routes serving the area include: 61, 160, 161, 162, 269, 273, R7, SL3, and night bus N136.
Walking
The Green Chain Walk, a 50-mile network of linked paths across south-east London, passes through Chislehurst. The walk connects parks, woodlands, and open spaces from the Thames Barrier to Crystal Palace.
Amenities
Nearby Facilities
Post Office
60 High Street, Chislehurst, BR7 5AQ
Mon–Sat 08:30–17:30
Chislehurst Library
Red Hill, Chislehurst, BR7 6DA
📞 020 8467 1318
Mon–Tue 09:30–17:30, Thu 09:30–19:00, Sat 09:30–17:00
Chislehurst Pharmacy
59 Chislehurst Road, BR7 5NP
📞 020 8295 0017
Resources