Local Wildlife Site

Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

River Beck, including Langley Park Nature Reserve, Harvington Estate Woodland and Kelsey Park

Borough: Bromley

Grade: Borough Grade II

Access: Free public access (part of site)

Area: 30.67 ha

Description

This site follows the River Beck as it winds through Bromley. It also includes adjacent areas of nature conservation interest. These include woodland, grassland and wetlands in the Langley Reserve and more woodland in the park and old trees of the estate. There is open access to the Harvington Estate and (by day) to Kelsey Park, which are both owned by Bromley Council. There is controlled access for school parties and ranger-led groups to the Langley Waterside Educational Nature Reserve, but none to the land within the gated residential areas or on the GlaxoSmithKline site. Croydon Active Lifestyles project uses Kelsey Park as part of the a Walking the Way to Health (WHI)’ scheme.

Wildlife

The Beck is the longest river in Bromley and its water quality is generally good. It is joined by its tributary the East Beck at the southern end of the Langley Waterside Educational Nature Reserve. Habitats in the reserve include ancient woodland, plantation, damp grassland, ponds and reed beds, and the artificial lake within the adjoining housing development. Parts of the Beck here and within the GlaxoSmithKline site to the north have natural banks. Alder trees fringe both banks. The river flows under South Eden Park Road into woodland on what was once part of the Harvington Estate, where veteran oaks are still found. The river flows on into Kelsey Park. This is an attractive, mature park with some woodland and two lakes. The woodland supports some rare bats and stag beetles. The lakes and the river support diverse water bird communities, including the only heronry in Bromley borough.

Facilities

Playground; cafe; toilets (including baby changing facilities)

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More information on GiGL’s SINC dataset can be found here.

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