Blackheath railway station
Encyclopedia
Blackheath railway station is situated in the heart of Blackheath
village in London
at . The track passes through the village and is crossed by a road overbridge on which the station buildings stand.
Much of the original station, dating back at track level to 1849 and at ticket office level to 1879, remains. It was built using London Brick
to a design by George Smith
(who also built Greenwich station
). At the "country" end of the platforms the lines separate to the North Kent
and Bexleyheath Line
s. The former passes through the mile-long (1.6 km) Blackheath Tunnel immediately after the junction; the latter through the shorter Kidbrooke Tunnel after a short cutting.
Blackheath's station has two platforms which are partially covered with a weather canopy. The downside platform has a disused platform face (bay platform) facing towards London, used in earlier days by commuter trains terminating here. Unusually, the track in the bay remains in situ, although it is now heavily overgrown and otherwise obstructed. The area to the north (now a car-park) was formerly an area of railway sidings, where commuter trains were stabled when not in use.
The bay platform used to come into its own when a circus was taking place on Blackheath. Many of the animals would arrive in train vans. The circus would then process through Blackheath Village on to the heath. There is a local legend that on one occasion an elephant took exception to a passing bus — and the bus lost!
The station cannot be relied upon as a way of reaching Blackheath during November's traditional free firework show, as it normally closes early on that day for safety reasons. Contrastingly in April, on the Sunday of the London Marathon
, it is crucial in enabling athletes and their supporters to reach the starting line, as on that day bus services across the heath are usually suspended as roads are closed.
Blackheath Halls, run by Trinity College of Music
, are close to the station.
Blackheath, London
Blackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
village in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at . The track passes through the village and is crossed by a road overbridge on which the station buildings stand.
Much of the original station, dating back at track level to 1849 and at ticket office level to 1879, remains. It was built using London Brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
to a design by George Smith
George Smith (architect)
George Smith was an English architect and surveyor of the early 19th century, with strong connections with central and south-east London....
(who also built Greenwich station
Greenwich station
Greenwich railway station is about 400 m southwest of the town centre of Greenwich, London, England. It is an interchange between National Rail trains between central London and Dartford , and the Docklands Light Railway between Lewisham to the south and the Docklands area and the City of London...
). At the "country" end of the platforms the lines separate to the North Kent
North Kent Line
The North Kent Line is a railway line which connects central and south east London with Dartford and Medway.-Construction:The North Kent Line was the means by which the South Eastern Railway were able to connect its system to London at London Bridge...
and Bexleyheath Line
Bexleyheath Line
The Bexleyheath Line runs for 8 miles from Blackheath to Dartford in Kent operating between the North Kent Line just to the east of Blackheath station and to the same line south of Slade Green in Dartford.-History:...
s. The former passes through the mile-long (1.6 km) Blackheath Tunnel immediately after the junction; the latter through the shorter Kidbrooke Tunnel after a short cutting.
Blackheath's station has two platforms which are partially covered with a weather canopy. The downside platform has a disused platform face (bay platform) facing towards London, used in earlier days by commuter trains terminating here. Unusually, the track in the bay remains in situ, although it is now heavily overgrown and otherwise obstructed. The area to the north (now a car-park) was formerly an area of railway sidings, where commuter trains were stabled when not in use.
The bay platform used to come into its own when a circus was taking place on Blackheath. Many of the animals would arrive in train vans. The circus would then process through Blackheath Village on to the heath. There is a local legend that on one occasion an elephant took exception to a passing bus — and the bus lost!
The station cannot be relied upon as a way of reaching Blackheath during November's traditional free firework show, as it normally closes early on that day for safety reasons. Contrastingly in April, on the Sunday of the London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
, it is crucial in enabling athletes and their supporters to reach the starting line, as on that day bus services across the heath are usually suspended as roads are closed.
Blackheath Halls, run by Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
, are close to the station.
Services
The typical off-peak service from the station is:- 4tph (trains per hour) to London Charing CrossCharing Cross railway stationCharing Cross railway station, also known as London Charing Cross, is a central London railway terminus in the City of Westminster, England. It is one of 18 stations managed by Network Rail, and trains serving it are operated by Southeastern...
- 2tph to
- 2tph to London Victoria via Denmark HillDenmark Hill railway stationDenmark Hill railway station is a railway station in the London Borough of Southwark in London, England, on the Inner South London Line. The station is managed by Southeastern and is served by trains of that company and Southern. It is in Travelcard Zone 2. It is located on Champion Park in the...
- 2tph to
- 4tph to DartfordDartford railway stationDartford railway station serves the town of Dartford in Kent, England. All train services from the station are operated by Southeastern, which also manages the station...
- 2tph to via and Dartford