Car Hire Blackfen

Sitting just northeast of Sidcup and edging into the broader Bexley area, Blackfen is a suburban fold of South East London that feels more village than capital with its 10 thousand residents—modest in size but not short on character.

Driving in is straightforward, with the A210 running through town and easy links to the A20 making it a smooth approach from both central London and the Kent side. Most days feel breezy or brisk depending on the season and a waterproof never goes amiss—especially if you’re heading for the open spaces. Spring is a good time to visit, when the greens begin to lift and roadside blossoms start to show. For bearings, Blackfen sits not far from Eltham, where the bustle picks up a touch.

Attractions In Blackfen

There’s a slow charm to how things unfold here. You won’t find big signs telling you what to see—it’s more about meandering into spaces, spotting something tucked behind a hedge or following a quiet road to a nearby green.

Foots Cray Meadows

Just a few minutes from the centre, we started our day with a long walk across Foots Cray Meadows. This stretch of parkland runs alongside the River Cray, with winding trails under old bridges and open grass that rolls out far beyond what you expect.

In places, you feel like you’ve left London altogether. It’s a space for thinking, running, chatting or just being quiet—and that flexibility makes it a standout. The park is open daily from 7 am to 8 pm and sees just enough foot traffic to stay lively without being busy.

Lamorbey Park (The Glades)

There’s a lake, plenty of space for running about and just enough tree cover to break up the skyline. Families tend to favour it and it’s open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. This isn’t the kind of place you seek out on a map—it’s the one you end up staying in longer than planned.

It’s a familiar weekend stop for families from Chislehurst looking for open space without the crowds.

Danson Park

Spilling out around the edge of Danson House, this park blends the manicured and the wild. We saw kids darting between splash zones and paths lined with low hedges, while couples circled the lake or lay back under maples. There’s a model railway on some weekends and boats for hire in summer—a comfortable mix of activity and ease.

Sidcup Caves

They’re hard to find and even harder to predict but these chalk caves hold local lore. The openings are narrow and often fenced off but when they’re accessible—typically after midday until 5:30 pm—they offer an unusual way to see what lies beneath familiar streets.

Hall Place & Gardens

We strolled past topiary hedges and red-brick wings of Tudor design, then found ourselves ordering a second round of coffee beside the river. It’s peaceful but never dull, with art exhibitions and plant sales regularly appearing on the schedule.

Open from 9:30 am to 5 pm and worth planning a few hours for—especially if you’re making a loop through Woolwich or further into Bexley.

St Mary The Virgin Church, Bexley

Old and quietly striking, this church on Manor Road feels more like a resting point than a destination. We walked through just after a rain shower—the paving still wet, birds chirping from trees nearby.

Bexleyheath Clock Tower

You don’t really plan to visit the Clock Tower—you just end up near it. That’s how central it is to the flow of Market Place. On market days, the pavements pulse with shoppers and kids dragging scooters.

We stood by with flat whites and watched the square do its thing. A familiar stop for people coming in from Plumstead.

Red House (National Trust)

Built by William Morris, Red House mixes domestic simplicity with a creative kind of idealism. The walled garden is particularly restful and we lingered there longer than we meant to. It’s a peaceful break before heading on toward Lee.

Danson House

Pale, perfectly proportioned and often busy with couples and families, it’s as much a civic hub as a historical site. You’ll probably see the house before you realise you’ve entered the park. It’s open Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm—and yes, there’s coffee inside.

Before heading back toward Sidcup, we stopped in for a 1final walk around the lake.

Bexley’s Charter Oak

It’s just a tree. But like so many things in suburban London, the quiet ones carry the longest stories. This one has stood in Danson Park for hundreds of years, tied into local rights and old boundaries. You probably will pause here too, especially if you’re looping east toward Belvedere.

Train Shed

Not signposted. Not restored. Just… there. This low-slung industrial relic sits off the tracks near old allotments and feels more like an accidental museum piece than a listed site. We only stopped for a minute before looping back toward Abbey Wood but that was enough.

Stevens Park

Stevens Park is reliable. It’s always open and there’s always someone walking a dog, kicking a ball or finding an excuse to stay out a little longer. We came at dusk and caught the last of the light.

A Good Place To Linger

Blackfen keeps things steady. No rush, no performance—just everyday spaces that make room for pauses. For food, Peking Garden on Wellington Parade is a local go-to for Chinese takeaway, while The Broken Drum, a micropub just off Westwood Lane, offers a laid-back pint with community spirit. If you’re after something sweet, The Bakery on Blackfen Road does strong coffee and warm pastries without fuss.

For a stay nearby, The Crown Inn offers comfortable rooms above a classic pub—handy if you’re driving through or circling back the next day.