insideKENT Magazine Issue 42 - September 2015 | Page 93

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

Chislehurst Caves

S P O T L I G H T

Jubilee Country Park

O N

petts wood

BY LISAMARIE LAMB

Petts Wood lies on the outskirts of South East London and is close to Orpington. This village
is a perfectly picturesque example of Kentish life, with shops, restaurants, its own railway
station, and a history dating back to 1577. Walking around Petts Wood is almost like going
back in time to the 1930s, and that’s exactly why the place is so well loved and regarded
in the surrounding area. Suburban and comforting, Petts Wood is the place where the past
comes alive and the future is bright.

Jubilee
historyCountry
in briefPark
The name Petts Wood first appears in 1577 and
it literally means the wood belonging to the Petts.
The Pett family were shipbuilders, and their wood
was leased out to timber merchants. Although
a useful and well-known place – especially within
timber and shipbuilding circles – Petts Wood
didn’t become a village until the 1920s (when
the railway was built there in anticipation of a
London-led future) and '30s (when most of the
houses were built, and it became the ideal
commuter town). Not much has changed since
then; at least when it comes to the buildings,
which is one of the reasons Petts Wood is such
a popular place to live.

things to do
Jubilee Country Park – Jubilee Country Park is
62 acres of wildflowers meadows, hedgerows,
and semi-natural ancient woodland. It is a beautiful
spot to enjoy the countryside around Petts Wood.
It is possible to walk along a specially designed
‘wildlife corridor’ between this park and nearby
Scadbury Park Local Nature Reserve. Jubilee
Country Park is a Site of Metropolitan Important
for Nature Conservation Grade II, which means

it is protected by local environmental groups,
Natural England, and the Forestry Commission.
It contains chalk meadows that are an important
habitat for wildlife, and is also part of the London
Cycle Network.
Chislehurst Caves – The Chislehurst Caves are
probably the most famous attraction in
Chislehurst, and they are less than two miles
away from Petts Wood. Every day you can visit
the caves and take part in a guided tour, where
experts on both Chislehurst and the caves
themselves will give you an idea of the history
behind these six hectares of underground
passages that lie 30 metres below the ground.
Your guide will take you on a journey of true
discovery, with just a lamp lighting the way. It’s
atmospheric, fascinating, and creepy, and
shouldn’t be missed. The tours start at 10am
each day, and then continue on the hour until
4pm. They last for around 45 minutes. With free
parking, a café, and a gift shop, visiting the
Chislehurst Caves is an excellent way to spend
some time.

dining out

The William Willett Memorial – William Willett
was a staunch campaigner for daylight saving
time. Although he lived in Chislehurst (close by
to Petts Wood), there is a memorial to him in the

Rising Sun – This fantastic little gem of a
restaurant offers sushi in many different forms.
Located on Petts Wood’s Fairway, diners are
treated to exceptional dishes that, some have

93

form of a sundial in the wood itself. In 1907,
Willett published (using his own money) a
pamphlet entitled The Waste of Daylight. The
proposal that he put forward was that the clocks
should go forward by 80 minutes every April, and
back 80 minutes in September, although this
should be done in steps, at 20 minutes each
Sunday during those months.