to the public in 1952 by the Duchess of Kent. The famous topiary at Hall Place, the Queen's Beasts, were planted in 1953 in celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The former walled gardens include a tropical butterfly house and owl sanctuary. Specimen trees in the grounds include an Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides), a Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), and a Black Poplar (Populus nigra) - planted to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 by the local Mayor and the Deputy Lieutenant Of Bexley. The site has achieved a Green Flag Award for excellence in a public park or garden for 20 consecutive years 1996 - 2016, in recognition of the high standard of maintenance and cultivation at the site. References Bibliography External links Hall Place website Danson House website Old St Marys F.C. Welling Website Book review: "The House of Broken Fortunes: Hall Place in the Twentieth Century" Hall Place and The Queen's Beasts Houses in the London Borough of Bexley Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Bexley Grade I listed houses in London Grade I listed museum buildings Historic house museums in London Art museums and galleries in London Museums in the London Borough of Bexley Local museums in London History of the London Borough of Bexley Country houses in London Grade I listed buildings in the London Borough of Bexley Y service