Orpington Oatcake

Walnuts reopens and summer events begin

Published Thursday 2 July 2026

Visit the renewed Walnuts, have your say on dog controls and plan for library activities and Chelsfield Village Fair.

Top Updates

Walnuts Leisure Centre reopens today

The transformed Walnuts Leisure Centre reopens today after a £17m refurbishment. The Mayor of Bromley will cut the ribbon at midday in the marketplace off Lych Gate Road, with sports activities, stalls, refreshments and entertainment. Residents can look around the new pools, gym and sports hall before normal use resumes from 2pm. See the reopening-day programme and new facilities.

Have your say on dog controls in local parks

Bromley Council is consulting on keeping its dog-control rules for another three years. The proposals retain the four-dog limit, rules on leads, the ban on dogs in play areas and action against fouling; they would also exclude dogs from cemeteries. Residents and park users can respond until Monday 27 July. Read the proposals and complete the questionnaire.

Summer Reading Challenge starts on Saturday

Bromley Libraries begin their 2026 Summer Reading Challenge activities on Saturday 4 July. Families can use the children’s activity finder to check sessions at Orpington and other borough libraries; most regular activities are free, though some need booking. Find Summer Reading Challenge and children’s activities.

Summer activity bookings open on Monday

Bookings for Bromley’s summer Holiday Activities and Food programme open at 11am on Monday 6 July. The programme offers holiday-club places with activities and a healthy meal for children aged 5 to 16 who receive benefit-related free school meals, and for refugee children living in Bromley. Families can register their interest now. Check eligibility and prepare to book.

Dates For Your Diary

Saturday 11 July, noon-6:30pm

Chelsfield Village Fair returns to the cricket green

The village fair at Chelsfield Cricket Green will have flying displays, live music, a funfair, pony rides, food and more than 70 stalls. Entry is £5 for adults, £2 for children and free for under-fives, with proceeds supporting Guy’s Cancer Charity and other local causes. Check the fair programme and safety advice.

What's On

Thursday 2 July

Fitness dancing for seniors at Liberal Hall, 2pm-4pm. This friendly country-dancing class at Liberal Hall, 7 Station Road, uses easy dances at a steady pace to help with mobility and balance. No partner or previous experience is needed, and the session costs £7.50 on the door. Check the dancing class details.

Saturday 4 July

Orpington parkrun at Goddington Park, 9am. Walk, jog or run the free weekly 5k at Goddington Park. Register before your first visit and bring a scannable barcode if you want a timed result. Check the course and registration details.

Blues and Americana garden party, 1:30pm-5:30pm. Orpington Liberal Club’s summer garden party brings an afternoon of blues and Americana music to 7 Station Road. Entry is free for club and CAMRA members and £1 for other guests, with a suggested £7 cash contribution to the performers. The event will move into the hall if it rains. See the garden-party line-up and admission details.

Tuesday 7 July

Mark Newlove and Alien Love Experience, 6:50pm-9pm. Two south-east London acts play original songs and covers in Orpington Liberal Club’s garden at 7 Station Road. Entry is free for club and CAMRA members and £1 for other guests, with a suggested £6 cash contribution to the performers. The music ranges across folk, pop, rock, punk, country and more. See the live-music details.

Roadworks and Transport

Leesons Hill closure continues: The gas works road closure on Leesons Hill is scheduled to remain in place until Friday 10 July. Allow extra time around St Paul’s Cray and follow local diversion signs.

Ethelbert Road closes from Monday: Ethelbert Road is scheduled to close for gas works from Monday 6 July until Friday 31 July. Nearby traffic may be busier while the closure is in place.

Signals and short works around Orpington and Petts Wood: Multi-way signals are planned on Chipperfield Road through Friday 3 July, while Thames Water works on Petts Wood Road are scheduled from Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 July. Check the Bromley roadworks map before setting out.