Bexleyheath Explained

Official Name:Bexleyheath
Static Image Name:The Clocktower at Bexleyheath.jpg
Static Image Caption:The Clocktower in Bexleyheath
Coordinates:51.459°N 0.138°W
Population:15,600
Population Ref:(2021 Census)
Os Grid Reference:TQ485755
Charingx Distance Mi:12
Charingx Direction:WNW
London Borough:Bexley
Region:London
Country:England
Post Town:BEXLEYHEATH
Postcode Area:DA
Postcode District:DA6, DA7
Dial Code:020
01322 (eastern parts)
Constituency Westminster:Bexleyheath and Crayford

Bexleyheath is a town in south-east London, England, in the London Borough of Bexley. It had a population of 15,600 (rounded to the nearest 100) in 2021[1] and is 12miles south-east of Charing Cross. It is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in London.[2] Its post town takes in other surrounding neighbourhoods, including Barnehurst, West Heath and Upton.

History

For most of its history, Bexley heath was heath land. The Romans built a road through the heath, Watling Street, which connected Londinium (London) to Dubris (Dover). This Roman road still marks the spine of Bexley new town.[3]

Eighteenth and nineteenth centuries

In the early 19th century, Bexley heath was a broad rough pasture and scrubland with few buildings. Its windmill stood to the north east, where Erith and Mayplace Roads now meet. In 1766 Sir John Boyd had Danson House built in his enclosed land ("park").[4] The core of this remains as Danson Park between the southern halves of Bexleyheath and Welling. In 1814 most of the rest of what was Bexley heath, north of Bexley, became enclosed (privatised) with a fund of money given in compensation to trustees for the poor of the parish.[5]

In 1859 architect Philip Webb designed Red House for artist, reforming designer and socialist William Morris on the western edge of the heath, in the hamlet of Upton - before Upton became a suburb. The National Trust acquired the house in 2003. Morris wanted to have a "Palace of Art" in which he and his friends could enjoy producing works of art. The house is of red brick with a steep tiled roof and an emphasis on natural materials. It is in a brick-and-tile style to resemble cumulative generational additions. Its layout and geometrics are non-uniform and it is recognised and protected with highest category (Grade I) listed building status as it is avant-garde to influential Arts and Crafts architecture. Morris lived with wife Jane in the house for five years, during which time their two daughters, Jenny and May, were born. Needing to sell the house in 1865 to economise, Morris vowed never to return to it; he said that to see the house again would be more than he could bear.

Bexleyheath's parish church, Christ Church, dates from 1841; and the ecclesiastical parish from 1866; the building of the current church finished in 1877. Alfred Bean, railway engineer and one-time owner of Danson House, furthered the development of Bexleyheath as a London suburb by championing the Bexleyheath Line in the 1880s to support the growth of estates around Danson Park.

Twentieth century

The clock tower at the centre of the modern shopping area, built in 1912, commemorates the coronation of King George V and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 when a bust of the Queen was installed.[6]

The area was part of the historic county of Kent until the creation of Greater London in 1965, at which point Bexleyheath became the administrative base of the newly established London Borough of Bexley.[7] The town centre shops and road layout were redeveloped in the 1980s and 1990s. The latter decade saw the pedestrianisation of the road adjacent to the shopping centre having built two minor bypass roads, Arnsburg Way and Albion Way.

Demographics

According to the 2021 census from the ONS, Bexleyheath has a population of roughly 15,600, 21.8% of which are aged 65+, above the borough average of 16.5%. The largest ethnic group is White at 78.2%, higher than the borough average of 71.9%, with the second largest being Asian/Asian British at 10.7%. The largest religious group is Christianity at 49.7% of the population, followed by No religion at 33.8%, roughly the same as the borough average.

Town centre

The vast majority of restaurants and eateries are on Broadway. The south side of the central, pedestrianised section of Broadway hosts Broadway Shopping Centre, a covered example completed in 1984, and a substantial supermarket four years later, as in other urban places including New Towns. A cinema stands to the east facing a medium-sized supermarket.

A renovation in 2008 on "The Mall" gave the centre a more modern interior. The appending of "Bexleyheath Square" took place in the early 2000s, more retail units. Much of this investment provides local competition to Bluewater Shopping Centre, east in Greenhithe, Kent.

The statue outside the Broadway Centre is "Family Outing" by local artist John Ravera; it was commissioned by Norwich Union and unveiled in 1985.[8]

In May 2009 a major redevelopment scheme was approved by the local council following public consultation. This involved the redevelopment of the Bexley council buildings. The magistrates' court was to move to a new building where the library stands, which would be incorporated into the new development of 300 new homes. The work did not proceed as the shopping centre was sold.

In work commencing 2012, the Borough's Civic Offices were converted from the former main office of The Woolwich, which had been vacant seven years.[9] For the resultant vacant site in June 2018, housebuilder Bellway was approved to build 518 homes, of which 110 affordable. The development will include Bexleyheath's tallest building (13 storeys), public realm improvements and offices/retail.[10]

Given cumulative retail investment, Bexleyheath draws many customers particularly from Erith, Thamesmead, Plumstead and Woolwich which adjoin the River Thames.

Leisure and culture

Bexleyheath has leisure facilities including the Edward Alderton Theatre, Cineworld cinema, hotel, the Central Library, Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre, five-a-side football centre, bingo hall and ten-pin bowling alley (Ten Pin).

Bexleyheath and Belvedere Hockey Club are based in Welling, but play some home matches at Erith School.[11]

Cultural events include regular concerts by the Sidcup Symphony Orchestra held in the hall of Townley Grammar School. The town's theatre, founded in 1976, produces many amateur productions.

Education

Bexleyheath has eight primary schools and four secondary schools.

Primary schools[12]
NameTypeMixStatusEnrollment
Barrington PrimaryMixedAcademy210
Brampton Primary PrimaryMixedAcademy420
Bursted Wood PrimaryMixedAcademy630
Crook LogPrimaryMixedCommunity School413
Gravel Hill PrimaryMixedAcademy420
Pelham Primary MixedAcademy420
St Thomas More RC Primary MixedVoluntary Aided420
UplandPrimaryMixedAcademy420
Secondary schools[13]
NameTypeMixStatusEnrollment
Bexleyheath AcademySecondaryMixedAcademy1144
St Catherine's Catholic School for GirlsSecondaryGirlsVoluntary Aided1015
St Columba's Catholic Boys' SchoolSecondaryBoysVoluntary Aided815
Townley Grammar SchoolSecondaryGirlsGrammar1631

Places of worship

There are 15 churches in Bexleyheath:[14]

Transport

Rail

The town is served by Bexleyheath railway station, NaNkm (-2,147,483,648miles) north-west of the centre on Station Road. The station is on the Bexleyheath Line, the middle of three lines connecting London and Dartford. Rail services connect the station to London Victoria via Peckham Rye, London Charing Cross, London Cannon Street, Barnehurst, Gravesend and Dartford.

Buses

Bexleyheath is an important hub for Transport for London bus services. There are services connecting it with Bromley, Crayford, Dartford, Eltham, Erith, Lewisham, North Greenwich, Orpington, Sidcup, Thamesmead, Welling and Woolwich.

Notable residents

See also: List of people from the London Borough of Bexley.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Build a custom area profile - Census 2021, ONS . 2024-03-18 . www.ons.gov.uk . en.
  2. Web site: London Plan (Consolidated with Alterations since 2004) . Mayor of London . Mayor of London . . February 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100602000714/http://www.london.gov.uk/thelondonplan/docs/londonplan08.pdf . 2 June 2010 . dmy .
  3. Book: Mercer . John . Bexleyheath A History . 15 April 2012 . Amberley Publishing Limited . 978-1-4456-2478-5 . en.
  4. Web site: Danson House and Register Office London Borough of Bexley . www.bexley.gov.uk . London Borough of Bexley . 27 December 2022.
  5. Web site: McKeon . Simon . Allen . Lucy . Changing Times: The Broadway, Bexleyheath 1812-1912 . London Borough of Bexley . 2012 . 27 December 2022.
  6. Web site: PICTURED: Commemorative bust of the Queen is unveiled at Bexleyheath Clock Tower . www.newsshopper.co.uk/. 11 June 2013 .
  7. Web site: London Government Act 1963 - Latest Available . 2022-12-27 . legislation.gov.uk.
  8. Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project, https://archive.today/20070623011822/http://pmsa.cch.kcl.ac.uk/UEL/BE013.htm (Accessed: 28 November 2011)
  9. Web site: Fowler. Joshua. Redevelopment of former Woolwich building in Bexleyheath approved. Bexley Times, 17 July 2012. 5 September 2012.
  10. News: Morby . Aaron . Bexleyheath's 518-home town centre scheme approved . 27 June 2018 . Construction Enquirer . 27 June 2018.
  11. Web site: BBHC Hockey Club. 16 March 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121031125938/http://www.bbhockey.co.uk/index.php. 31 October 2012. dmy-all.
  12. Web site: Admission to Primary Schools in Bexley 2023-2024 . www.bexley.gov.uk . London Borough of Bexley . 27 December 2022.
  13. Web site: Admission to Secondary Schools in Bexley 2023-2024 . www.bexley.gov.uk . London Borough of Bexley . 28 December 2022.
  14. Web site: Find a church . 27 December 2022.
  15. Web site: Allen, Marjory Gill (1897–1976). Birth Control International. 23 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161124095406/http://beta.birthcontrol-international.org/items/show/169. 24 November 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  16. Web site: Profile for Harry Baker. doverathletic.com. 23 November 2016.
  17. Web site: Stunning Steph . Southern Daily Echo . Newsquest . 19 December 2000 . 18 January 2009 .
  18. Web site: Jimmy Bullard - back to my roots. clubwebsite.co.uk. 13 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114083217/http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/news/2014/05/22/jimmy-bullard-back-to-my-roots/. 14 November 2016. dead.
  19. Web site: Surnames beginning with C. bexley.gov.uk. 26 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161127024640/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3308/Surnames-beginning-with-C. 27 November 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  20. News: The Globe. 23 November 1889. 6.
  21. Book: Allen. Vivien. Hall Caine: Portrait of a Victorian Romancer. 1 July 1997. A&C Black. 172. 9781850758099. 26 November 2016.
  22. Web site: David Daniels. ESPN Cricinfo. 19 August 2017.
  23. http://www.edp24.co.uk/lifestyle/poor_suffolk_boy_to_formula_one_billionaire_1_818525 Poor Suffolk boy to Formula One billionaire
  24. News: Henry. Alan. The Guardian profile: Bernie Ecclestone. 13 November 2016. The Guardian. 10 December 2004.
  25. Web site: May. Luke. From Danson Road to Abu Dhabi - Bexleyheath's Bernie Ecclestone sells-off Formula One for £6billion - find out about his local links HERE. Bexley Times. Archant Community Media Ltd. 27 December 2017. 27 January 2017.
  26. News: Haggith. John. Obituary: Frank Farmer. 23 November 2016. 27 August 2004.
  27. Web site: Colin Gill (1892-1940) - British artist. Fascinating Facts of the Great War. 16 July 2016. 23 November 2016.
  28. News: Cawley. Richard. Jake Goodman: FA Cup tie gives me another chance at achieving Den dream. 23 November 2016. London News Online. 13 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170305094814/https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/10335/jake-goodman-fa-cup-tie-gives-another-chance-achieving-den-dream-never-achieved-millwall-career/. 5 March 2017. dead. dmy-all.
  29. Web site: Surnames beginning with H. bexley.gov.uk. 13 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114003826/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3351/Surnames-beginning-with-H. 14 November 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  30. Book: Schoeman . Chris . Angels of Mercy: Foreign Women in the Anglo-Boer War . 1 April 2013 . Penguin Random House South Africa . https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAxbDwAAQBAJ&dq=mary+kingsley+%22southwood+house%22&pg=PT95 . 5 September 2021 . 5. 9781770225008 .
  31. Web site: Greenwell . Bill . Mary Kingsley . billgreenwell.com . 5 September 2021.
  32. [1881 United Kingdom census]
  33. Web site: Neal Lawson. morebooks.de. 13 November 2016.
  34. News: Marks. Kathy. East End send-off for a 'diamond geezer'. 13 November 2016. The Independent. 6 August 1998.
  35. Web site: Malone biography. 22 November 2015.
  36. Web site: Surnames beginning with M. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114002312/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3362/Surnames-beginning-with-M. dead. 14 November 2016. bexley.gov.uk. 13 November 2016.
  37. News: Melita Norwood ... Seemingly innocuous south London clerk.... John Cunningham. The Guardian. 28 June 2005. 1 June 2015.
  38. News: Noye linked to more killings . London . The Guardian . Tony . Thompson . 16 April 2000.
  39. Book: Krueger. Christine L.. Encyclopaedia of British Writers, 19th and 20th centuries. 1 July 2014. Infobase Publishing. 312. 9781438108704. 13 November 2016.
  40. News: Bacon. Jake. Bexleyheath mum to cheer on son Liam Ridgewell in America's biggest football match - the MLS cup final. 13 November 2016. News Shopper. 4 December 2015.
  41. News: Lezard. Nicholas. Profile Delia Smith: Simmer gently, do not boil. 13 November 2016. The Independent. 11 December 1999.
  42. Web site: Delia Smith: Television cook and food writer. cooksinfo.com. 13 November 2016.
  43. Web site: Player profile. 15 November 2010. Oz White LUFC. https://web.archive.org/web/20120816232551/http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/players_profiles/S/StephensonJE.php. 16 August 2012. dead.
  44. Web site: Surnames beginning with T. bexley.gov.uk. 13 November 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114001941/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3378/Surnames-beginning-with-T. 14 November 2016. dmy-all.
  45. Phillip . Buckner . TUPPER, Sir CHARLES . 14 . 17 September 2015.

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