The land stands at an elevation of 70 metres (230 ft) – which may be one of the reasons it escaped development – and was once part of Brockley Farm.

The land where Blythe Hill Fields now stands was bought by London County Council and opened as a public park in 1935.

Blythe Hill was traversed by the Roman road to East Sussex, known today as the London to Lewes Way.

Since 2007, the Friends have organised an annual festival featuring local food traders, musicians, dance troupes and craftspeople.

[5] Blythe Hill Fields is the title of a track by singer songwriter Ceri James, of the Welsh group The Mountaineers.