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Hilly Fields

Greenwich

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Hilly Fields is a spacious hilltop park between Brockley and Ladywell, known for broad London views, open grass, mature trees, sports facilities, a children’s play area and a small nature reserve. It is a practical local park for walking, play, exercise, picnics and community events.

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About Hilly Fields

Hilly Fields is a large public park on the high ground between Brockley and Ladywell in Lewisham. Its open slopes and elevated position give it a more expansive feel than many inner-London parks, with views across south-east London towards the City on a clear day. The park is used throughout the week by local residents, dog walkers, runners, families, sports groups and people crossing the neighbourhood on foot. The landscape combines broad lawns with mature trees, wilder edges and areas managed for wildlife. A small nature reserve sits within the park, alongside meadow and scrub habitats that support common urban birds and insects. Near the summit, a millennium stone circle provides a distinctive landmark and a useful meeting point, as well as a place to pause and look across the surrounding rooftops. Facilities include a children’s play area, tennis courts, a bowling green, basketball provision, football and cricket space, table tennis and seating. The cricket facilities include both a grass pitch and a synthetic option, while tennis is included in Lewisham’s public Play Tennis network. A café, Pistachios in the Park, provides an on-site refreshment stop with indoor and outdoor seating and is particularly useful after a walk, run or visit to the playground. Hilly Fields has a strong community character. Friends of Hilly Fields have supported improvements including play equipment, signage, an orchard and other features, while the park hosts recurring activities such as Parkrun and seasonal local events. It has also retained an important place in the history of Brockley and Ladywell because the open land was saved from development in the late nineteenth century and formally opened as a public park in 1896. The park is not a formal ornamental garden or a destination with a single headline attraction. Its appeal is the combination of open views, everyday facilities, informal nature, sporting space and a well-used local atmosphere. Allow extra time if arriving with young children, using the sports facilities or exploring the quieter edges around the nature reserve.

Worth knowing

Why visit?

Go for the elevated views, generous open space and unusually varied mix of facilities. Hilly Fields works equally well for a short walk, a family playground visit, a picnic, a run or an organised game of tennis, cricket or basketball. The stone circle and wilder habitats add interest beyond the main lawns, while the park café makes it easier to turn a quick visit into a relaxed stop. It is especially useful for visitors exploring Brockley or Ladywell who want a substantial green space without travelling to central London.

History & character

Hilly Fields was once open land known as Vicar’s Hill, with rough grazing, former brickmaking activity and an area used for game shooting. In the late nineteenth century, the land was threatened by development. A campaign involving local residents, the Kyrle Society, the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association and the Commons Preservation Society helped secure it as public open space, with Octavia Hill playing an important role in the campaign. The London County Council acquired and laid out the land, and Hilly Fields opened as a public park on 16 May 1896. The original Victorian layout included perimeter railings, a refreshment house, shelters, a drinking fountain and a bandstand, although most of these structures have disappeared. The park was laid out under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel J. J. Sexby, the London County Council’s chief parks officer. A nature reserve was established in 1992, and a stone circle and sundial were added near the summit for the millennium in 2000. The park remains an important part of the Brockley and Ladywell landscape and is associated with the surrounding Brockley Conservation Area.

Gallery

Images are shown with source/photographer credit where supplied.

Lewisham Council - Green Flags still flying high in Lewisham's parks · Public Body

Lewisham Council - Access to information · Public Body

Useful visitor tips

Use the hilltop for the broadest views across London.

Choose an entrance carefully: the park stretches across several surrounding roads.

Bring a ball or racquets if you intend to use the sports facilities.

Allow extra time for gradients if visiting with a buggy or young children.

Check the ground after rain before planning a picnic or informal sports.

Look for the stone circle near the summit.

Keep dogs away from play, sports and wildlife-sensitive areas.

Check organised events before visiting if you prefer a quieter walk.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hilly Fields free to visit?

Yes. Hilly Fields is a public park with unrestricted general access and no admission charge. Some activities, sports bookings or organised events may have their own arrangements, but walking, sitting, playing informally and enjoying the views are free.

What is there to do at Hilly Fields?

Visitors can walk, picnic, enjoy the views, use the children’s play area, visit the stone circle, watch or take part in sports, and explore the park’s wilder habitats. Facilities include tennis courts, cricket and football space, basketball, table tennis, a bowling green and a park café.

Are dogs allowed at Hilly Fields?

Dogs are commonly allowed in the park, but some dog-free zones apply. Keep dogs under control and away from the play area, sports facilities and wildlife-sensitive sections. Check signs at entrances and around the park for any local restrictions.

Is Hilly Fields suitable for families?

Yes. The park has a children’s play area, large open lawns and a café, making it suitable for a family visit. The site is hilly, so families with buggies may find the main paths more manageable than rougher routes around the edges.

Are there toilets at Hilly Fields?

Toilets are listed in regional open-space information, but current opening times and accessibility arrangements are not clearly confirmed. It is sensible to check on arrival or ask at the café rather than rely on published toilet hours.

How do I get to Hilly Fields by public transport?

Brockley station is the most useful nearby Overground and rail station, while Ladywell station is another option. Bus information associated with the park includes routes 484, 122, 273, 584 and P4. Check the TfL journey planner before travelling for current stops and service changes.

How long should I allow for a visit?

Allow around 45 minutes for a walk and the main views, or one to two hours if you are visiting the playground, using sports facilities, stopping at the café or exploring the quieter nature areas. Local events and organised runs can extend the visit or make the park busier.

Good to know

£0 Free to visit

Dog-friendly information verified

Family-friendly information verified

Hilly Fields, Brockley/Lewisham, London SE4

Facilities

Facilities include open grass areas, paths, a children’s play area, tennis courts, a bowling green, basketball facilities, football and cricket space, table tennis, seating, a nature reserve, a millennium stone circle and an on-site park café. The park also includes meadow, scrub, mature trees and an orchard area. Tennis is part of Lewisham’s Play Tennis network, and cricket provision includes grass and synthetic facilities.

Getting there

The park has several pedestrian entrances and is bordered by Hilly Fields Crescent, Adelaide Avenue, Montague Avenue, Vicar’s Hill and Eastern Road. Entrance choice depends on which part of the park you need: the eastern and western roads give access to the hilltop and main open areas, while Montague Avenue and Hilly Fields Crescent serve the northern and western edges. The park is best approached on foot from Brockley, Ladywell or nearby residential streets. Cycle access is possible via surrounding roads, but dedicated cycle parking has not been confirmed.

Public transport

Brockley station is the most useful nearby rail and London Overground station, with a walk across the surrounding streets to the park. Ladywell station is another practical rail option, with onward bus or walking connections. Public transport information for the park lists buses 484, 122, 273, 584 and P4 in the surrounding area. Check the current TfL journey planner before travelling, as routes and stopping patterns can change.

Toilets

Toilet facilities are listed in regional open-space data, but current opening arrangements and accessibility details have not been clearly confirmed. Visitors should check locally or use the café for information rather than relying on published hours.

Dogs

Dogs are commonly brought to Hilly Fields, and park information identifies dog access with some dog-free zones. Keep dogs under close control around the children’s play area, sports facilities, wildlife areas and other busy sections, and follow signs on site. Dog owners should bring waste bags and avoid allowing dogs to disturb meadow or nature-reserve habitats.

Families

The park has a children’s play area and substantial open grass suitable for informal play and picnics. The café provides a nearby refreshment stop, and the open layout makes it easy for families to combine play with a short walk or visit to the stone circle. The site is hilly, so buggies may be more comfortable on the main surfaced paths than on rougher or steeper edges.

Access / opening

The main public park is described as having unrestricted access. The nature reserve has more limited access and may be locked for environmental education and use by schools or local residents. Café opening times are separate from park access and may vary, including on bank holidays.

Practical information

Hilly Fields is a large, sloping park rather than a compact formal garden. The summit and several routes involve gradients, and conditions may be muddy after wet weather. Sports areas may be in use or require booking. The café is a useful refreshment stop, but visitors planning a longer walk should not assume every facility is open at all times. Community events and organised runs can make parts of the park busier than usual.

Accessibility

Hilly Fields is a sloping site, and some routes and edges may be uneven or steep. Specific step-free routes, accessible toilets, parking arrangements and detailed accessibility information have not been confirmed.

Find it on the map

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Information last checked 26 Sept 2026.