Bickley
Coordinates: 51°24′01″N 0°02′48″E / 51.4003°N 0.0466°E
| Bickley | |
 Bickley
Bickley shown within Greater London |
|
| Population | 13,904 (ward, 2001 Census)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | TQ423688 |
| London borough | Bromley |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | London |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BROMLEY |
| Postcode district | BR1,BR2 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | Bromley & Chislehurst |
| London Assembly | Bexley and Bromley |
Bickley is an affluent residential area and electoral ward in South East London, and is a part of the London Borough of Bromley, England (formerly in Kent). It is a suburban development situated 10.4 miles (16.7 km) south east of Charing Cross. Well known for its large and expensive houses, Bickley boasts being one of the richest areas within London.
Geography and Local Area
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 has large and expensive houses on roads such as Oldfield Road, Southborough Road, Page Heath Lane and Blackbrook Lane. Bickley Park contains a range of large houses, making it one of the most expensive areas within the Capital to live, it 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, and eventually became a gated community in 2008.
Events
Up until 2008, the local Conservative Party organised a Diwali dinner and dance for the growing Hindu and Indian population of Bickley; this was very popular and a lot of local Indian families in the area attended.
Blackbrook Lane Development
In early 2010, the owners of an area of greenbelt land on Blackbrook Lane, next to Bromley High School applied for planning permission the building of 120 family homes. This caused anger amongst the local residents of the road who had not been given any information about the planned development. All three of Bickley's local counsellors opposed the plans and they were rejected at a planning meeting on 15 April 2010.
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.[2]
Notable residents
- Peter Thompson - Philanthropist, bon viveur, enthusiast
- Gertrude Hermes (1901-1983) wood engraver, print maker and sculpturist
- Evelyn Arthur Hellicar (1862–1929), architect.
- Ethel Hurlbatt principal of Bedford College, London
- Ernest Newton (1856–1921), architect.
- Peter Courtney Quennell (1905-1993), biographer, literary historian, editor, essayist, poet, and critic.
- Charles Henry Bourne Quennell (1872–1935), architect and writer.
- Marjorie Quennell née Courtnay (1884–1972), artist, writer and museum curator.
Parks in Bickley
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 Jubilee Park and it is linked to National Trust countryside at Petts Wood and beyond that to Scadbury Park Nature Reserve.[3]
Whitehall Recreation Ground
A large play area on Southlands Road with children's playground.
Widmore Recreation Ground
A small local park with a children's playground which has entrances in Pembroke Road, Lewes Road and Tylney Road.
Bickley Councillors
Bickley has traditionally been Conservative Party stronghold and is currently represented on Bromley council by three Conservative Councillors:[4]
- 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 School (Independent)
- Bullers Wood School
- Scotts Park Primary
- St. George's Bickley Primary
Railway
Bickley Station serves the town with stopping services to London Victoria Via Herne Hill and to Kentish Town/London Blackfriars Via Catford railway station. As well as services to Orpington and Sevenoaks Via Swanley and Otford.
Bus Routes
Bickley is served by a number of Transport For London Buses.
- 162 Beckenham to Eltham
- 208 Lewisham to Bickley
- 269 Bromley to Bexleyheath
- 314 Eltham to Addington
- 336 Catford to Locksbottom
- R7 Bickley to Orpington
- N47 Trafalgar Square to St Mary Cray
Places of Worship
- St George's Church
- St. Augustine's Church
- Southborough Lane Baptist Church
References
- ^ Bromley.org 2001 Census information for the Bickley ward "Bickley ward population - 13904"
- ^ "Green belt homes in Bickley an 'affront' (From News Shopper)". Newsshopper.co.uk. 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Bromley Council
External links
- Bickley Park Cricket Club
- Bromley Councillors
- 162 bus timetable
- 208/N47 bus timetable
- 269 bus timetable
- 314 bus timetable
- 336 bus timetable
- R7 bus timetable
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