Danson Park, Bexley
A historic parkland site and surrounding suburban development, situated west of Bexleyheath and south of Welling
Danson’s stable block has been converted to a pub and restaurant
The estate was first recorded as ‘Dansington’ in 1294. The 18th-century mansion at its heart was designed by Robert Taylor, architect of the Bank of England, and the park was landscaped in the style of Capability Brown. In 1881 Alfred Bean, then owner of the Danson estate, began to develop the neighbouring suburb of Welling.
Bean died in 1890 but his widow survived for another 31 years, whereupon the Danson estate was divided into lots and sold. Bexley council bought the mansion and 224 acres of parkland for £15,000 in 1924 and spent another £3,500 converting the park for public use. The remainder of the estate was sporadically developed for housing over a period of nearly 15 years with a variety of styles and sizes from semi-detached bungalows to mock-Tudor mansions, plus a handful of modernist villas. Danson junior school opened on Dansington Road in 1933.
Post-war change in the Danson locality has mostly been limited to the improvement and enlargement of existing properties. The grade I listed mansion has been restored from a state of near ruin by leaseholders English Heritage and the stable block has been converted to a pub and restaurant.
The park is probably the borough’s finest open space and boasts extensive sporting facilities. The lake is used for boating and windsurfing.
