As the largest and greenest London borough, Bromley has over 28 square kilometers of green space including a range of habitats, many of which have several different conservation designations.
To celebrate this, a large network of walking routes have been developed across the borough that take in its highlights including its parks, recreation grounds, open spaces, green belt countryside and public rights of way.
Walks across the borough
Bromley’s Circular walks have been developed to allow you to discover Bromley’s countryside at your own pace, using way marked signs. They cater for walkers of all abilities and are usually between 2 to 4 hours long.
The walks are available as 1 laminated pack with 14 individual route cards available from the BEECHE Centre at High Elms Country Park at a cost of £5. Individual route maps are also available to download.
In addition to the circular walks, many walking trails have been developed including:
- 'Darwins Footsteps’ which are a series of trails that take in the countryside in and around Downe that helped to inspire the works of Charles Darwin.
- Trails around our Local Nature Reserves developed in conjunction with our Friends Groups.
These trails can also be purchased from the BEECHE centre at High Elms Country Park from £2, a small amount of copies are available at our libraries, or are available for individual download.
Walks further afield
Parts of the borough are also linked to longer distance paths including:
- The Green Chain Walk: a 50 mile network of ‘Green’ paths across South East London that crosses the borough from Chislehurst Common to Crystal Palace Park).
- The Capital Ring Walk: 78-mile circular walk around Greater London that crosses Cator and Crystal Palace Parks.
- The London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP): A 150 Mile circular walk around Outer London that takes in three of our Local Nature Reserves and West Wickham Common.
Walking groups and tours
There are also a series of walking groups that operate throughout the borough:
- Many of our Parks Friends Groups offer guided walks around their parks. Contact details can be found on their respective webpages or social media channels.
- The Trustees of Chislehurst Commons hold several walks throughout the year around the local area.
- Our Wellbeing in Bromley’s green spaces page highlight walks and Parkruns within the borough, alongside other resources.
- The Crystal Palace Museum runs guided tours around the site of the Crystal Palace within the Grade II listed park on the first Sunday of every month (April to October).
- Enbro (Environment Bromley) provide a year-round programme of 400 plus walks in the borough, as well as in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and London. These vary from gentle strolls to more strenuous walks of up to 10 miles.
- The Ramblers’ Association have a Bromley Branch, with free wellbeing walks and paid membership walks available.
Further information
Whilst the Council in conjunction with its partners has aimed to create and promote a range of walks that cater to all abilities, please note the following:
- Bromley Bylaws and the Countryside Code apply to these walks.
- There are stiles and gates in more rural areas and paths can be very muddy, so please ensure that you are appropriately dressed for the walk in question.
- Ensure that you stay safe, plan ahead and follow any arrows or signs. Please keep to the main paths where possible.
- You may encounter livestock on some of the walks.
- Please leave gates and property as you find them, and help us to protect the boroughs native plant and animal species by taking litter and dog mess home with you.
- Please ensure that you keep your dog under control in line with the borough’s Responsible Dog Ownership policy
If you come across a problem with one of our circular routes, trails or public rights of way, please report it online.