Mayow Park

Mayow Park is a Victorian-era public park on Mayow Road in Sydenham, south-east London, and the oldest municipal park in the London Borough of Lewisham. It holds a Green Flag Award and remains one of the most active local green spaces in this part of the capital.

What is Mayow Park and where is it?

The park covers roughly seven hectares in Sydenham, in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is managed by Lewisham Council and is open from 8am until sunset. Originally called Sydenham Recreation Ground, it was later renamed after Mayow Wynell Adams, linked to the family that once owned the land. After Blackheath, it is the second oldest public open space in the borough.

What is the history of the park?

The park was created in the second half of the 19th century on former Mayow family land. Reverend William Taylor Jones of Sydenham College played a leading role in raising money and securing the site, and a granite drinking fountain commemorates his efforts. The fountain is of historic interest but no longer works. The layout has changed little since Victorian times. A bowling green and tennis courts were added on the southern side in the middle of the 20th century, and the park once had an aviary.

What can you do in Mayow Park?

Lewisham Council lists a play area, a café, an outdoor gym, tennis courts, a cricket pitch, a meadow area and a small nature reserve. Other listings mention table tennis and community growing projects. The park toilets are open only on limited days, currently Thursdays and Sundays from 11am to 4pm, so plan ahead if you are visiting with children.

The former bowling green is now home to Sydenham Croquet Club, which moved in during 2022.

Who looks after the park?

The Friends of Mayow Park, founded in 1993 as a users' group and renamed around 1998, support the park throughout the year. They run a community orchard planted in 2012, with around 18 trees, and hold an Apple Day in mid-October. The group also organises tree walks, bat walks and volunteer workdays. The Grow Mayow community garden, next to the café, occupies the site of a former park keeper's depot and has herb beds and fruit bushes.

How do you get to Mayow Park?

Sydenham station on the London Overground is a short walk away. Buses 75, N75 and 356 also serve the area. The main entrance is on Mayow Road.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mayow Park free to enter? Yes. It is a public park with no entry fee.

Does Mayow Park have a café? Yes, there is a café in the park, next to the Grow Mayow community garden.

Is it good for children? The park has a dedicated play area, open lawns and a meadow, which makes it a practical stop for families.

Are there sports facilities? Tennis courts, a cricket pitch, an outdoor gym and table tennis are listed, and croquet is played on the former bowling green.

Does Mayow Park have an award? Yes, it has a Green Flag Award, given to well-managed parks in the UK.

When is the best time to visit? Mid-October is a good choice for the Apple Day at the orchard, while summer suits the meadow and the café terrace.

Why visit?

Mayow Park combines Victorian heritage with a lively community scene. It is an easy green stop on a trip through south-east London, whether you want a quiet walk, a game of tennis or a look at the orchard and community garden.