Blackfen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Location
Blackfen

OS grid reference:	TQ455745


Administration
London borough:	Bexley
County level:	Greater London
Region:	London
Constituent country:	England
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Ceremonial county:	Greater London
Historic county:	Kent
Services
Police force:	Metropolitan Police
Fire brigade:	London Fire Brigade
Ambulance service:	London Ambulance
Post office and telephone
Post town:	SIDCUP
Postal district:	DA15
Dialling code:	020
Politics
UK Parliament:	Old Bexley & Sidcup
London Assembly:	Bexley and Bromley
European Parliament:	London
London \| List of places in London

Blackfen is a largely residential area of Sidcup in the London Borough of Bexley. It is situated 10.2 miles (16.4 km) east south-east of Charing Cross. The word "Blackfen" means a black, marshy area. The soil is dark and fertile and the area around Blackfen Road and Wellington Avenue is prone to flooding in extreme conditions.

The housing stock is almost exclusively owner-occupied houses of conventional British design. The sale of the Danson Estate in 1922 marked the beginning of a major period of house building in the area and most of the houses date from the 1930s.

1 Local Services
2 Nearest Places
3 Nearest stations
4 External links

[edit] Local Services

[edit] Churches

The Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary near the top end of Burnt Oak Lane was built in 1936. Originally part of the parish of St Stephen's, Welling, it became a parish Church in its own right in 1945.

The Anglican Church of the Holy Redeemer in Halfway Street was dedicated on 21 October 1933, built entirely of steel and concrete. The Church is part of "Affirming Catholicism" and describes itself as a "forward-looking, average Anglican congregation". The Good Shepherd Church on Blackfen Road is part of the parish of Holy Redeemer.

[edit] Pubs

At the junction of Blackfen Road and Westwood Lane, the Woodman pub is a recognisable landmark. The original Woodman pub dates from 1845; the present building was completed in 1931.The pub has undergone several changes of character, most recently being promoted as a "Sports Bar".

Half a mile west along the Blackfen Road, on the south side is the "Jolly Fenman", built in the 1930s. The Fenman was refurbished in February 2006 and offers table service for meals.

[edit] Library

The Blackfen Library moved from Cedar Avenue to newly refurbished premises on Blackfen Road in March 2005. There was some local controversy because of the character of the old library building and uncertainty as to whether the premises would be put to any use. The new library has computer facilities which are used extensively by local children.

[edit] Shopping

There are two principal shopping parades, on Blackfen Road and at The Oval.

At the Oval, there are three restaurants and a number of other small shops and businesses. There has been a considerable, and successful struggle, against graffiti, vandalism and anti-social behaviour with the aid of the local police and community services. The crescent-shaped parade of shops includes flats above and fronts an oval-shaped unfenced public garden with paths, flower beds and ornamental trees. Both the parade, with Tudoresque details to the frontage, and this small municipal garden are included in a designated Conservation Area.

The larger shopping centre of Blackfen lacks greenery or architectural finesse, but includes a large foodstore with free parking space next to a prominent flyover that carries the modern A2 Trunk Road. The Blackfen Road shops include Woolworths, several car sales showrooms and many small local businesses including several cafés and fast food outlets, banks, jewellers, clothing shops, hairdressers, building suppliers, cycle store and an independent funeral director. It benefits from direct bus links to larger shopping centres at Bexleyheath, Eltham, Sidcup, Welling and Woolwich.

[edit] Schools

Blackfen School for Girls is at the western end of Blackfen Road. Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School is in Holbeach Gardens. Days Lane Primary School and Sherwood Park Primary School are the major community primary school serving the eastern and western parts of Blackfen.

[edit] Nearest Places

[edit] Nearest stations

TfL contracted buses on routes N21, 51 and 132 serve Blackfen Town Centre whilst the B13 Hoppa bus route passes to its south. The main A2 trunk road between London and Dover defines the northern edge of the locality.

The main supermarket, for many years trading as a Safeway outlet, transferred to the Somerfield group during 2004, being too small to suit the format of the William Morrison chain.