Bexley Council have temporarily closed Hall Place and Gardens to the public after a recent surge in visitors since the lockdown was announced last week.

The council says that the increased visitor numbers at the formal lawns at Hall Place have, along with recent wet weather, "caused substantial damage to the ground."

Likely driven by residents looking for fresh air and a nice walk amid the current lockdown, the numbers also pose a health and safety risk to the visitors due to the risk of Covid-19, which is currently affecting as many as 1 in 30 in London right now.

In order to prevent further damage, and ensure the safety of visitors, the formal gardens to the north of the River Cray will be temporarily closed from Thursday, January 14, stated the announcement.

Bexley Council said they would re-open the formal gardens at the earliest opportunity.

Access to the south parkland will still be made available via the main stone gate, and you can follow the signs on site which allow for a circular path to ensure maximum social distancing on the route to and from the parkland via the Weir bridge. The gardens will close at 4pm.