Lesnes Abbey Reviews Summary

Abbey Ruins

Pros:

• "Deep in history the Abbey Ruins is well worth a visit."
• "Fabulous space with full access to the Abbey ruins, which are really interesting."
• "The abbey ruin is also of interest."
• "You can see the ruins of a monastery from a few hundred years ago."
• "Historic Landmark. Ruined Abbey surrounded by woodland."
• "Interesting ruins (old abbey) then there are the fossil beds where you can have a dig for some fossils (mainly shark teeth)."
• "One of my favourite ruined abbeys, which is located in the Royal Borough of Bexley."

Cons:

• "People walk on the ruins with their children when we are asked not to... let's look after these ancient ruins."
• "Except for the abbey ruins and kiosk, there is not much to see, even the viewing point is barely noticeable."
• "It angers me no end that local idiots let their children climb over the ruins of the abbey built in 1178, which I would love to see better protected."
• "Its ruins..... shouldn't be climbed on but you can't stop the kids!"

Park and Woodland

Pros:

• "Old monastery remains set in acres of beautiful parks and woodland."
• "Great all around for a lovely walk and family outing."
• "Varied terrain, lovely woodlands, lots of flora and wildlife."
• "The woods themselves are lovely to explore with well maintained paths."
• "Beautifully cared for space that is half park, half woods."
• "Lovely local park/ woods to explore with the dogs and children."
• "Stunning park and forest."

Cons:

• "The place feels spooky even on a sunny day."
• "Woods are obviously very bumpy so be aware if you have a wheelchair or buggy."
• "There are lots of wooded area to explore as well but nothing exceptional here."

Cafe and Refreshments

Pros:

• "The cafe provides ice cream, hot drinks and hot foods (paninis bagels etc) plus very clean toilet facilities."
• "Good value coffee and light refreshments from the kiosk near the ruined Abbey."
• "There is also a very reasonably priced café and there are vegetarian and vegan options."
• "The cafe also does a nice selection and the toilet are very clean."
• "Nice little kiosk to stop for tea and cake as well."
• "Cafe offering all sorts of snacks, cold drinks & coffee, run by pleasant staff."
• "Lovely cafe serves toasted bagels, cakes and coffee including a tasty gluten free carrot cake and an iced vegan lemon sponge."

Cons:

• "The hot drinks service was slow and queue long."
• "The only thing that lets it down is that there is no indoor cafe during the worse weather or colder days."
• "Only criticism is the cafe is just a serving hatch No good in wet weather."
• "Shame the cafe isn't always open."
• "The cafe was closed (it was about 5pm at that point)."

Family and Children's Activities

Pros:

• "There's a playground and forest too along with a small cafe and pond."
• "Big massive place for kids and family, there is a big forest, small lake, and kid play ground, big grass and long path to run!"
• "Good park for the kids and an exercise gym too."
• "Fantastic place to fossil hunt with children."
• "A good playground for kids and lovely woods with beautiful bluebells in May."
• "Play park for kids with a small BMX/scooter track, a basketball/football court and also a Parkor course."
• "Large children's playground with equipment for a large range of ages."

Cons:

• "U will see people walk with dogs so if u go with kids just pay attention as some running dogs may come and scare kids."
• "Kids loves it as there is a huge playground with recreational equipments."
• "A minute walk away from the ruins it's a park for kids with a very big slide."

Accessibility and Parking

Pros:

• "There's also a bus stop right next to it so easy to access, and it's walkable from abbey wood station."
• "However the Elizabeth line station Abbey Wood is a five minute walk."
• "Just 5 minutes from Abbey Wood station."
• "Really close to the station, easy to get to."
• "Normally parking available on the road."

Cons:

• "No car park on site, so you have to park using a limited amount of parking spaces on the surrounding roads."
• "Finding parking on the main road is difficult as there is a limited number of spaces."
• "Parking is now an issue due to the increase of traffic with the Elizabeth line."

General Maintenance and Safety

Pros:

• "The new redevelopment has improved this place immensely."
• "Lottery renovation is now complete. Back to a picturesque beautiful space."
• "Lovely paths grounds and excellent maintenance being done."
• "Super walks in the woods with surprises."

Cons:

• "Get mixed info from the site building regarding public use."
• "Herb Garden needs some TLC."
• "Definitely since lockdown, this place has regularly had problems. Examples are: attempted knifings, burglary of Chestnuts Kiosk, motorbikes and quad bikes speeding across the estate, sexual crimes in the woods."
• "Hopefully people learn how to take their garbage with them, it wasn't a lot but it is sad to see such a precious place spoiled with garbage from some uneducated people."