View of the Old Stable Block, across the Golf Course at Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham
The situation regarding the Stable and Homesteads has radically changed since the fire of 2011. These buildings used to be home to several employees in the park: Gardeners, Golf green keepers, Park managers. Prior to that there would have been some estate workers living in rooms above the stables. During the periods when the estate was a school and a sanitorium, employees, inmates and pupils may have been resident in the buildings. The 1911 Census lists medical staff, servants and patients/inmates from the sanitorium period. There were some remaining rooms in the Stable Block with cast iron fireplaces and some original features. Some of the buildings seem to have been 'renovated' with crittal windows and other features that probably date to about the time the park was purchased by the London County Council (pre-Greater London Council). The clock tower, bell and weather vane may have come from Clockhouse nearby which was another Cator property. These parts are in storage following the demolition of the clock tower for safety reasons prior to the fire. The clack was largely destroyed by the fire as was most of the central part, most interesting architecturally, of the Stable Block. The Homestead Cottages, three terraced cottages to the north of the Stable Block seem to have been greatly altered from the original Georgian with crittal windows and apparent rebuilding of the brickwork. Although the foundation below the damp course appears to be original Georgian and of the same appearance as the foundations of the Stable Block. There used to be a timber building in the stable yard known as the 'horse hospital' but this was left unmaintained and collapsed due to decay. Unfortunately our historic heritage allows for landlords to neglect buildings without penalty and perhaps a mechanism whereby buildings can be confiscated and put into the hands of considerate owners should be made law.
Size: 4064px × 2704px
Location: Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham, London, UK
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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