Bickley
Encyclopedia
Bickley is an affluent residential area and electoral ward
in the London Borough of Bromley
, England. It is a suburban development situated 10.4 miles (16.7 km) south east of Charing Cross
. It is part of the Bromley and Chislehurst
Parliament constituency.
Bickley lies between Bromley Town to the west, Chislehurst to the north-east and Petts Wood to the south-east, and Sundridge Park to the north. Bickley railway station
has regular trains to London Victoria and Kentish Town station
via London Blackfriars. However the only local shops are at the junction of The Fairway and Southborough Lane, and at Widmore Green. A medium sized Tesco has recently opened. Many residents also use the nearby Chislehurst railway station
which was originally named Chislehurst and Bickley Park, Petts Wood railway station
, and Elmstead Woods railway station
, as these have services directly into London Bridge station
and London Charing Cross.
In 2009 Network Rail and Bromley Council placed width restrictions outside Bickley station because of concerns about the weight limits on the bridge, causing anger among residents, because they were too narrow. Many vehicles were damaged and the road had to be closed for a time to resolve the issue. The resultant speed restrictions have led to a significantly safer environment for the station passengers.
Bickley has large and expensive houses on roads such as Oldfield Road, Southborough Road, Page Heath Lane and Blackbrook Lane. Bickley Park is the area between Chislehurst Road and Bickley Park Road extending to the railway at Chislehurst station. This area was the estate of Bickley Hall. Residential development started in the 1860s and was completed in the 1960s.
had been put aside for the building of 120 family homes. This caused anger amongst the residents of the road who had not been given any information about the planned development. The plan was put on hold and the fight is still continuing by the residents against the estate. However Bromley High School
and Bickley Manor hotel have both agreed that the estate may be needed to meet housing demands.
Not long before a similar situation occurred which ended with the result of the new private estate, named Aquilla Homes, causing worry among the residents that their fight may not be successful.
Nature Reserve.
stronghold and is currently represented on Bromley council by three Conservative Councillors:
Wards of the United Kingdom
A ward in the United Kingdom is an electoral district at sub-national level represented by one or more councillors. It is the primary unit of British administrative and electoral geography .-England:...
in the London Borough of Bromley
London Borough of Bromley
The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:...
, England. It is a suburban development situated 10.4 miles (16.7 km) south east of Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
. It is part of the Bromley and Chislehurst
Bromley and Chislehurst
-Elections in 2000s:-Elections in 1990s:-Further reading:*Cook, Chris and Ramsden, John. By-elections in British politics -See also:*List of Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London...
Parliament constituency.
Bickley lies between Bromley Town to the west, Chislehurst to the north-east and Petts Wood to the south-east, and Sundridge Park to the north. Bickley railway station
Bickley railway station
Bickley railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It lies between Bromley South and Swanley stations. The station and all trains are operated by Southeastern, and is in Travelcard Zone 5....
has regular trains to London Victoria and Kentish Town station
Kentish Town station
Kentish Town station is a London Underground and National Rail station in Kentish Town in the London Borough of Camden. It is at the junction of Kentish Town Road and Leighton Road...
via London Blackfriars. However the only local shops are at the junction of The Fairway and Southborough Lane, and at Widmore Green. A medium sized Tesco has recently opened. Many residents also use the nearby Chislehurst railway station
Chislehurst railway station
Chislehurst railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It is in Travelcard Zone 5, and the station and all trains are operated by Southeastern....
which was originally named Chislehurst and Bickley Park, Petts Wood railway station
Petts Wood railway station
Petts Wood railway station serves Petts Wood in the London Borough of Bromley, and is in Travelcard Zone 5. The station was built on the main line to the north of Orpington and opened on 9 July 1928, and the community now surrounding it developed from that date: now the railway divides Petts Wood...
, and Elmstead Woods railway station
Elmstead Woods railway station
Elmstead Woods railway station is in Elmstead in the London Borough of Bromley in south east London. It is in Travelcard Zone 4, and the station and all trains are operated by Southeastern.- Services :The typical off-peak service is...
, as these have services directly into London Bridge station
London Bridge station
London Bridge railway station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the London Borough of Southwark, occupying a large area on two levels immediately south-east of London Bridge and 1.6 miles east of Charing Cross. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the...
and London Charing Cross.
In 2009 Network Rail and Bromley Council placed width restrictions outside Bickley station because of concerns about the weight limits on the bridge, causing anger among residents, because they were too narrow. Many vehicles were damaged and the road had to be closed for a time to resolve the issue. The resultant speed restrictions have led to a significantly safer environment for the station passengers.
Bickley has large and expensive houses on roads such as Oldfield Road, Southborough Road, Page Heath Lane and Blackbrook Lane. Bickley Park is the area between Chislehurst Road and Bickley Park Road extending to the railway at Chislehurst station. This area was the estate of Bickley Hall. Residential development started in the 1860s and was completed in the 1960s.
Events
Every year, the local Conservative Party organises a Diwali dinner and dance for Hindu and Indian people in Bickley; this has been popular, and most Indian families in the area attend. The event is restricted to adults, which is controversial as Hindus consider that Diwali should be spent with their families.Blackbrook Lane Development
An area of greenbelt land on Blackbrook Lane, next to Bromley High SchoolBromley High School
Bromley High School is a girls' independent school located in Bickley, Greater London. The school is part of The Girls' Day School Trust and was founded in 1883...
had been put aside for the building of 120 family homes. This caused anger amongst the residents of the road who had not been given any information about the planned development. The plan was put on hold and the fight is still continuing by the residents against the estate. However Bromley High School
Bromley High School
Bromley High School is a girls' independent school located in Bickley, Greater London. The school is part of The Girls' Day School Trust and was founded in 1883...
and Bickley Manor hotel have both agreed that the estate may be needed to meet housing demands.
Not long before a similar situation occurred which ended with the result of the new private estate, named Aquilla Homes, causing worry among the residents that their fight may not be successful.
Notable residents
- Freddie van den BerghFreddie van den BerghFrederick Oliver Edward van den Bergh is an English cricketer. van den Bergh is a gifted right-handed batsman who bowls left-arm orthodox. He was born in Bickley, London and educated at Whitgift School. While attending Whitgift School he was fondly known as Casper.van den Bergh made his...
(born 1992), cricketer - Gertrude Hermes (1901-1983)Gertrude HermesGertrude Hermes, RA OBE was a British wood engraver, print maker and sculptor..She was born in Bickley, Kent.She studied at Leon Underwood School of Painting and Sculpture, from 1921 to 1925.She won the Prix de Rome in 1925....
, wood engraver, print maker and sculpturist - Peter Courtney Quennell (1905-1993)Peter QuennellSir Peter Courtney Quennell CBE was an English biographer, literary historian, editor, essayist, poet, and critic....
, biographer, literary historian, editor, essayist, poet, and critic. - Ernest NewtonErnest NewtonErnest Newton, FRIBA, ARA was an English architect and President of Royal Institute of British Architects.-Life:Newton was the son of an estate manager of Bickley, Kent. He was educated at Uppingham School. He married, in 1881, Antoinette Johanna Hoyack, of Rotterdam, and had three sons...
(1856–1921), architect. - Charles Henry Bourne Quennell (1872–1935), architect and writer.
- Marjorie Quennell née Courtnay (1884–1972), artist, writer and museum curator.
- Evelyn Arthur Hellicar (1862–1929), architect.
Jubilee Country Park
With entrances in Thornet Wood Road and Blackbrook lane, there are 62 acres (25 hectares) of wildflower meadows, hedgerows and semi-natural ancient woodland. There is a cycle route through this park to Petts Wood. The London LOOP footpath also goes through Jubliee Park and it is linked to National Trust countryside at Petts Wood and beyond that to Scadbury ParkScadbury Park
Scadbury Park is a Local Nature Reserve in Chislehurst in the London Borough of Bromley. It is a Site of Metropolitan Importance. It is over 300 acres, and is part of an extensive wildlife corridor together with Petts Wood and the Jubilee Country Park....
Nature Reserve.
Widmore Recreation Ground
A small local park with a children's playground which has entrances in Pembroke Road, Lewes Road and Tylney Road.Significant Roads in Bickley
- Bickley Park Road
- Blackbrook Lane
- Chislehurst Road
- Logs Hill
- Southborough Lane
- Southborough Road
- Sundridge Avenue
- Bickley Park Road
- Page Heath Lane
- Northumberland Gardens
- St George's Road
Bickley Councillors
Bickley has traditionally been Conservative PartyConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
stronghold and is currently represented on Bromley council by three Conservative Councillors:
- Kate Lymer
- Colin Smith (Portfolio Holder for Environment)
- Catherine Rideout (Executive Assistant to Portfolio Holder for Adult and Community)
Education
Schools in Bickley- Bickley Park
- Bickley Primary School
- Breaside Preparatory School (Independent)
- Bromley High SchoolBromley High SchoolBromley High School is a girls' independent school located in Bickley, Greater London. The school is part of The Girls' Day School Trust and was founded in 1883...
(Independent) - Bullers Wood SchoolBullers Wood SchoolBullers Wood School for Girls is a comprehensive, all-girls' secondary school based on St Nicolas Lane in Chislehurst, part of the London Borough of Bromley.-Admissions:...
- Scotts Park Primary]
- St. George's Bickley Primary
Nearest railway stations
- Bickley railway stationBickley railway stationBickley railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It lies between Bromley South and Swanley stations. The station and all trains are operated by Southeastern, and is in Travelcard Zone 5....
- Chislehurst railway stationChislehurst railway stationChislehurst railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It is in Travelcard Zone 5, and the station and all trains are operated by Southeastern....
- Elmstead Woods railway stationElmstead Woods railway stationElmstead Woods railway station is in Elmstead in the London Borough of Bromley in south east London. It is in Travelcard Zone 4, and the station and all trains are operated by Southeastern.- Services :The typical off-peak service is...
- Petts Wood railway stationPetts Wood railway stationPetts Wood railway station serves Petts Wood in the London Borough of Bromley, and is in Travelcard Zone 5. The station was built on the main line to the north of Orpington and opened on 9 July 1928, and the community now surrounding it developed from that date: now the railway divides Petts Wood...
Bus routes through Bickley
See timetables in the External links below- 162 Beckenham to Eltham (Stops in Bickley Road and Bickley Park Road)
- 208 Orpington to Lewisham (Stops in Southborough Lane)
- 269 Bexleyheath to Bromley (Stops in Bickley Road and Bickley Park Road)
- 314 Eltham to Addington (Stops in Orchard Road, Sundridge Avenue and Elmstead Lane)
- 336 Catford to Locksbottom (Stops in Southborough Road and Southlands Grove for Bickley Station)
- N47 Orpington to Lewisham night bus (Stops in Southborough Lane)
- R7 Bickley to Orpington (through Southborough Lane past Bickley Station to Aquilla)
Places of Worship
- St George's Church
- St. Augustine's Church
- Southborough Lane Baptist Church