Foots Cray Meadows is a 97-hectare (nearly 250 acres) area of grassland, woodland and wetland in the London Borough of Bexley, with the River Cray forming a central feature of the landscape. At either end of the site the clear waters of the Cray run across a pebbly substrate, with a large somewhat silted lake forming the centrepiece of the area, dammed back at the attractive Five Arches bridge. There are a number of tree-covered islands in the lake and reasonable amounts of fringing vegetation. Much of the site has been designated as a local nature reserve. The site is controlled and managed by Bexley Council. Address: Foots Cray Meadows, Rectory Lane, Sidcup, Kent DA14 5NG (Map:; OS grid reference TQ478715)

Contents 1 History 2 Habitat 3 Species 3.1 Birds 3.2 Other vertebrates 4 Practicalities 4.1 Directions 4.2 Access 4.3 Facilities 5 Listings

HistoryEdit

The area was originally part of the estate of Footscray Place, an elegant 18th century Palladian-style mansion. The house was requisitioned during the 1939-45 war for use as a naval training establishment ("HMS Worcester"), but was left in poor condition. After the war it was bought by Kent County Council for development as a museum, but in 1949 it was destroyed in a fire. The ruins were demolished and the grounds were renamed Foots Cray Meadows and made over as a public park.

Habitat Edit

The site is an informal open space with a variety of wildlife habitats. The rolling landscape includes ancient woodland and the River Cray, with its adjacent woodlands and wildflower margins. Large areas of the site are managed as wildflower meadows, but large swathes of amenity grassland remain for recreational pursuits.

Several new ponds have recently been dug to help build the population of Great Crested Newts.

Fishing is not allowed.

Further information needed, please

Species Edit

BirdsEdit

Information needed, please

Other vertebratesEdit

Common Toad, Great Crested Newt, Grass Snake, a Terrapin of an unidentified species (2010), various kinds of fish.

Invertebrates

White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly has been recorded. Various Dragonflies and Damselflies including the Banded Demoiselle.

More information needed, please

PracticalitiesEdit

DirectionsEdit

Foots Cray Meadows is accessible from North Cray Road (A223) and from Rectory Lane (which runs from Bexley Lane, Sidcup, through to Foots Cray High Street). The nearest railway station is Albany Park. The 492 bus route passes the site on North Cray Road. The London Outer Orbital Footpath (London Loop) passes through the site, following the River Cray.

AccessEdit

Information needed, please

FacilitiesEdit

Information needed, please

ListingsEdit

Tuesday 7 February 2012 (10.30-12.45): 8 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, Little Egret, pr Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 prs Shoveler, 6 prs Gadwall, 33 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 13 Moorhen, 14 Coot, 94+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull, Stock Dove, 19+ Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 11+ Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, 5 Wren, Dunnock, 6 Robin, 13 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, Redwing (3 flocks – 12, 36 and 4), 3 Mistle Thrush, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, Jay, 6 Magpie, 18 Jackdaw, 39+ Carrion Crow, 3 Starling, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch (Ralph Todd).

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