Adrian Burch

Beautiful old Parkland with a children’s playground, bowls club, War Memorial and small woodland area. Queens Mead Recreation Ground was purchased by public subscription in 1887 to celebrate the 50th year of Queen Victoria’s reign. It then became the traditional site of Bromley fairs and gatherings. Up to the 1930’s it was the scene of all the main open air events in the town including Broom Day when it is reported that thousands of people flocked to the Mead to celebrate the day. It is in the flood plain of the River Ravensbourne, which once meandered across here, shaded by an army of fine elm trees. Time has treated the area savagely. Following the floods of 1969 the river was put into a concrete trench three years later and the elms all died from Dutch elm disease. Having been stripped of its picturesque elements what is left is a flat playing field. It used to be the site of some cricket matches during the summer but is now only used for football matches, official or impromptu. Improvements to this area are part of the long-term Ravensbourne Valley Restoration Scheme. Thanks for visiting. If you find this helpful please press the thumbs up button and consider following me - I will follow you back 😀 thank you.