Lesnes ruins and city of London

About Lesnes Abbey Woods

Get an overview of Lesnes Abbey Woods, get in contact and sign up for our newsletter and join our mailing list.

Aerial view of abbey ruins

About us

Lesnes Abbey is a unique green oasis, 10 minutes’ walk from Abbey Wood Train Station. At 88 hectares, this large site has lots of things to do and explore including woodland, heath, meadow and ponds, alongside formal parkland and gardens with views across the London skyline.

Visit the ruins of a 12th Century Abbey, dig in a prehistoric fossil pit or keep fit in our recreation and play areas.  Visitors can attend a range of activities, classes, events and workshops at Lesnes Abbey Lodge, which is also available for private hire (see What’s On and Hire Lesnes Abbey Lodge pages for further details).

Bexley Parks and Open Spaces

Lesnes Abbey Woods is managed by Bexley Council and is part Parks and Open Spaces.

Did you know that Lesnes Abbey is the second largest open space in the London Borough of Bexley? The largest is space is Foots Cray Meadows.

Lesnes Abbey Woods has been managed by the Council since 1986 and been a public park since 1930.  In 2014, Bexley Council Lesnes Abbey Woods was awarded Parks for People funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The grant enabled the site to be significantly developed, including:

  • Building a new Lesnes Abbey Lodge that hosts conferences, school workshops, leisure activities and meetings
  • A catering kiosk concession for park users
  • Improved park facilities including landscaping, way finding and gardens
The Lodge on a clear day
View of Woods and abbey

Lesnes Abbey Woods Film

Check out our film here to see what activities you can do, where to explore and find out about our amazing volunteers

Where to find us

Email:

Address:  Lesnes Abbey Lodge, Lesnes Abbey Woods, New Road, London SE2 0AX

Download the Lesnes app

Access lots of information about the history and ecology of this beautiful site.

Lesnes Abbey visitor survey

We value your opinion and would like to hear what you think about Lesnes Abbey Woods.