There are two orchards in High Elms Country Park which we supported as part of the Celebration of Orchard project: High Elms (Beeche) and Clockhouse Orchards.
Beeche Orchard (in High Elms) is a community planted orchard in the heart of the country park. Apples, pears quince and medlar grow here next to the parks’ beehives.
Clockhouse is also a community planted orchard of mainly apples and some plums and medlars. Both orchards were planted in the 1990s, although Clockhouse orchard marks the site of an older orchard from the 1850s. A few veterans and phoenix trees remain. The old orchard once provided fruit for the High Elms Estate. John Lubbock, of the Lubbock Family who once owned the High Elms estate, was a friend of Charles Darwin and was a keen advocate of biology, heritage sites and archaeology – on which he published one of the most influential books of the nineteenth century.
Where you can find it?
High Elms Country Park, Shire Lane, Orpington BR6 7JH. The orchard at High Elms is a short walk from the Green Roof Café, next to the beehives.
Clockhouse orchard is a 5 minute walk from the Green Roof Café down High Elms Road.
How do you get there: Nearest stations are Bromley South and Orpington. You will need to take a bus and walk from either station.
Can I visit: Yes
Orchard owner and carer: The orchard is owned by LB Bromley and supported by the Friends of High Elms, who together organise an Apple Day for the site’s orchards.
Biodiversity features: High Elms is a local nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest
Learn more about our restoration work and Celebration of Orchards project here.
To the best of our knowledge, the information on this webpage is correct, but it is possible that some of it is out-of-date.