Car Hire Belvedere

Cradled between Abbey Wood and Erith, Belvedere sits on the outer edge of southeast London, with a quieter feel than its busier neighbours with a population count of 12,000. It’s within easy reach of the A2016 and A206—roads that curve along the Thames and connect to the A2. You’ll find parking near most parks and open spaces and driving here is straightforward, especially if you’re planning to explore more than one spot in a day.

The weather tends to be breezy thanks to the nearby marshlands, so it’s worth having something windproof on hand—particularly if you’re heading out along the Thames Path. Visit in spring to catch birdsong echoing through the trees and wildflowers starting to push through or aim for early autumn when the parks turn golden and the air sharpens just a little.

Attractions In Belvedere

From a car hire point of view, Belvedere is low-stress. There’s space to manoeuvre and most destinations are only a few minutes’ drive from one another—a handy feature if you’re hopping between nearby neighbourhoods like Woolwich or Thamesmead.

The View

Approaching from Plumstead, this was an easy first stop. Tucked off Ruskin Road, The View lives up to its name. A steep drop-off reveals sweeping vistas towards central London on a clear day. It’s popular with dog walkers at dawn but we had it mostly to ourselves by mid-morning. The air felt crisper here, somehow, even in summer. Open 24 hours.

Frank’s Park

A little uphill from the main road, Frank’s Park is more than its name suggests. It’s layered—there’s formal planting, wild slopes and a children’s play area that doesn’t scream for attention. We parked along Poplar Mount and wandered in from there. The older trees curve overhead and benches are dotted along a path that winds naturally with the slope.

What made this spot stand out was how used it felt—not worn down but lived in. Parents on benches, footballs being kicked around the flatter stretches and a few people just reading quietly in the shade. It’s especially golden in autumn. Open 24 hours.

Lesnes Abbey Woods

We nearly missed the sign for this one—it’s easy to walk past. But once inside, the space opens wide: ancient trees, raised boardwalks and the weathered ruins of a 12th-century abbey resting quietly under moss and sky. The layout encourages slow wandering. Paths loop through quiet woodland, then open up around the ruins where kids climb stone steps and couples picnic under the old arches.

It’s not just for walkers—there’s real depth here for anyone interested in local history or botany. The woods are home to diverse plant life and in spring, wild garlic floods the lower slopes with its sharp scent. We also saw school groups here on educational visits, notebooks in hand. Open 24 hours.

The Chalk Pit

Tucked within easy reach of Kidbrooke, this odd, open bowl is part of the Lesnes Abbey landscape. It’s got a stillness about it and on quiet mornings, you can hear the flap of birds circling overhead. There’s no formal entry, just a path that dips in without fanfare. We walked through in under 10 minutes but lingered longer than we meant to.

Lesnes Abbey Wood Fossil Park

A rare find for fossil fans, this compact dig site near the abbey is especially popular with families. It’s one of the few places in London where you can legally fossil-hunt and children love scrabbling through the gravel for fragments of prehistoric shells and shark teeth.

There’s a café on the edge of the site offering bagels and decent coffee—ideal if you’re waiting out your child’s final triumphant find. Interpretive signs explain the area’s geological past and it’s surprisingly accessible for prams and wheelchairs too. Open 24 hours.

Crossness Nature Reserve

While driving in from Blackfen, we decided to take a detour and found ourselves at this quiet patch of wetland near the Thames Water facility. Raised hides let you peer across the reed beds and in early spring, the light plays beautifully on the water’s surface.

The mix of habitats—wetlands, grasslands, scattered scrub—means you’re just as likely to spot a kestrel as a frog darting across the trail. It’s small but rewarding. Open 8am–6pm.

Bostall Heath And Woods

We planned a morning outing from Eltham and stopped off here on the way. This one’s shared with Abbey Wood and it sprawls—a mix of open sports fields, shaded glades and small food huts. We grabbed a toastie from Chestnuts and wandered through with coffee in hand. If you’re driving, parking’s easier at the southern edge off Bostall Hill. Open 24 hours.

Thames Path

This spot draws a lot of interest from people in Greenwich who want to avoid the busy central sections of the trail. We followed Route 4 west, where the concrete gave way to reeds and gravel and glimpsed cormorants skimming low over the water. It’s quieter, for one and more rugged—less polished, more real. Open 24 hours.

Crossness Pumping Station

Tucked down Bazalgette Way behind industrial fencing, Crossness Pumping Station is far more spectacular than its surroundings let on. This Victorian feat of engineering was part of London’s 19th-century answer to its sewage crisis and what’s left today is jaw-dropping. Inside the Beam Engine House, cast-iron columns soar upwards, covered in polychrome decoration and fretwork that wouldn’t look out of place in a cathedral.

We timed our visit with one of the heritage open days, which meant live demonstrations of the restored machinery. The volunteer guides were deeply knowledgeable, sharing stories about Victorian innovation, public health and how this one building helped reshape modern London. Booking ahead is a must—it’s rarely open for casual drop-ins.

Southmere Lake

We found time to circle Southmere Lake before heading home. A heron stalked the shallows while kids cycled the perimeter path. No frills but full of small, satisfying details—the ripple of wind on water, the rattle of reeds in the breeze. A good place to pause between stops.

While You’re Here

Spending a day or two in Belvedere brings a slower rhythm—one that pairs well with decent coffee and straightforward food. We liked Golden Fry on Nuxley Road for its classic fish and chips served without fuss and The Village Sandwich Bar just a few doors down offers quick breakfasts and lunch bites with a steady stream of regulars. If you’re staying overnight, the Bexleyheath Marriott Hotel is a convenient base just a short drive away, offering secure parking, spacious rooms and a solid breakfast before another day on the road.