New Eltham
Encyclopedia
New Eltham is a commuter suburb
in the London Borough of Greenwich
, England
, although the Dulverton catchment area to the North side of Footscray Road falls within the London Borough of Bexley
.
The crossroads around the railway station are the hub of the area, with the library, post office and other shops along Footscray and Avery Hill Roads providing the area's amenities.
Neighbouring the area south west at the end of Green Lane is Chislehurst
, with Eltham and Sidcup
at either ends of Footscray Road.
The railway station was opened in 1878 as "Pope Street", and acted as a catalyst for growth. Less than a decade later in 1886, the station officially became known as "New Eltham". The redevelopment of land into housing had spread southwards from Eltham, the Pope Street area being rechristened as a new extension. On the main building of Wyborne School (Footscray Road) there is a sign, clearly identifying it as "Pope Street" School, built in 1904.
As part of the Cold War Civil defence, a rectangular windowless blockhouse was built in 1954 behind New Eltham library. It served
as the Woolwich Borough Control and when Woolwich merged with Greenwich in 1965 it took over the role as the Greenwich Borough Control. The control was part of the South East London Group reporting to the Regional Group War HQ at Chislehurst and later to Pear Tree House. Further information about the bunker can be found in the Subterranea Britannica, see the External Links section below.
Until the mid 1970's New Eltham had 3 butchers, 2 greengrocers, 3 grocers, 2 toy shops, a shoe repairer, 2 barbers, a radio and television repair shop, a clothing and material store, timber yard, cycle sales and repairs, 2 motor spares, hardware store, 2 dairys and a fishmongers. What is now The Co-operative supermarket was actually composed of smaller separate purpose shops (all CO-OP). From the station end, was a greengrocers, a chemist, butchers then the co-op grocery store. There was a fishmongers that later became a fish and chip shop (and still is as of 2008). Behind this, in what is now the car park was the CO-OP dairy, the other (Unigate) was in Green Lane near Fiveways in what is now a small business park
.
In 1974 the bridge (crossing the railway line) at Avery Hill Road was widened to allow buses to cross it. This replaced a narrow iron bridge which only had a separate path on one side for pedestrians.
There has not been any major developments or sprawl in the area. Extra housing has been built where factories were closed and demolished, notably in Hainault Street and more recently on the site of the Stanley factory at the junction of Avery Hill and Lannoy Road.
New Eltham Operatic Society is a member of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. As well as organising regular social events, they present one major production each year in April and one Autumn Concert, generally in September. See external links section below for a link to the society website for further details.
Footscray RUFC
is located on Footscray Road - a rugby club that proudly follows rugby traditions. The club is better known for its reputation off the pitch rather than its playing prowess. The Footscray 7s is a highly competitive annual Rugby 7s tournament held at the club on the first Saturday in May. The tournament attracts entries from across the country.
Newpark FC play in the South London Alliance Division 3 and are currently holders of the Beckenham Hospital Cup. Several other local football clubs and the League One side Charlton Athletic have their training ground in New Eltham, down Sparrows Lane.
RACS Cricket Club are based in the area.
New Eltham also consists of two football teams of the same name in different competitive leagues, one of those play in the London & Kent Borders League and are based at the STC Ground on Ivor Grove on Sunday mornings. The team has two published authors, Andrew Muckle and Daniel Harrison, who both live in New Eltham, wrote Don't Drink the Water a travel diary charting their exploits whilst Inter-railing around Western Europe. The other New Eltham play in the Woolwich & Eltham League, based at the London girls football club on Southwood Road who play on a Sunday morning.
and Bluewater are a short drive away. Dance classes are held above the Co-op store and a public house opposite was refurbished during 2009. It offers a limited range of food and drinks.
operate to London Bridge, Waterloo East, Charing Cross & Cannon Street terminals in Central London. Journey times average around 20 minutes. Connections are also made with Lewisham Station (10 minutes) where Docklands Light Railway services operate to the Docklands commercial district.
The following stations are adjacent stops on the line to Charing Cross
and Cannon Street
stations in London
known locally as the Dartford Loop
.
The following stations are adjacent stops on the line to Charing Cross
and Cannon Street
stations in London
known locally as the Bexleyheath Line
.
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
in the London Borough of Greenwich
London Borough of Greenwich
The London Borough of Greenwich is an Inner London borough in south-east London, England. Taking its name from the historic town of Greenwich, the present borough was formed in 1965 by the amalgamation of the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich with part of the Metropolitan...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, although the Dulverton catchment area to the North side of Footscray Road falls within the London Borough of Bexley
London Borough of Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London...
.
The crossroads around the railway station are the hub of the area, with the library, post office and other shops along Footscray and Avery Hill Roads providing the area's amenities.
Neighbouring the area south west at the end of Green Lane is Chislehurst
Chislehurst
Chislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
, with Eltham and Sidcup
Sidcup
Sidcup is a district in South East London in the London Borough of Bexley and small parts of the district in the London Borough of Greenwich.Located south east of Charing Cross, Sidcup is bordered by the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bromley and Kent County Council, and whilst now part of...
at either ends of Footscray Road.
History
New Eltham grew up as a suburb of farmland to the south of Eltham in and around the small hamlet and crossroads of Pope's Street.The railway station was opened in 1878 as "Pope Street", and acted as a catalyst for growth. Less than a decade later in 1886, the station officially became known as "New Eltham". The redevelopment of land into housing had spread southwards from Eltham, the Pope Street area being rechristened as a new extension. On the main building of Wyborne School (Footscray Road) there is a sign, clearly identifying it as "Pope Street" School, built in 1904.
As part of the Cold War Civil defence, a rectangular windowless blockhouse was built in 1954 behind New Eltham library. It served
as the Woolwich Borough Control and when Woolwich merged with Greenwich in 1965 it took over the role as the Greenwich Borough Control. The control was part of the South East London Group reporting to the Regional Group War HQ at Chislehurst and later to Pear Tree House. Further information about the bunker can be found in the Subterranea Britannica, see the External Links section below.
Until the mid 1970's New Eltham had 3 butchers, 2 greengrocers, 3 grocers, 2 toy shops, a shoe repairer, 2 barbers, a radio and television repair shop, a clothing and material store, timber yard, cycle sales and repairs, 2 motor spares, hardware store, 2 dairys and a fishmongers. What is now The Co-operative supermarket was actually composed of smaller separate purpose shops (all CO-OP). From the station end, was a greengrocers, a chemist, butchers then the co-op grocery store. There was a fishmongers that later became a fish and chip shop (and still is as of 2008). Behind this, in what is now the car park was the CO-OP dairy, the other (Unigate) was in Green Lane near Fiveways in what is now a small business park
Business park
A business park or office park is an area of land in which many office buildings are grouped together. All of the work that goes on is commercial, not industrial or residential....
.
In 1974 the bridge (crossing the railway line) at Avery Hill Road was widened to allow buses to cross it. This replaced a narrow iron bridge which only had a separate path on one side for pedestrians.
There has not been any major developments or sprawl in the area. Extra housing has been built where factories were closed and demolished, notably in Hainault Street and more recently on the site of the Stanley factory at the junction of Avery Hill and Lannoy Road.
Sport and recreation
New Eltham Joggers is a running club based in the area. They claim to be the friendliest group of runners in the South East, and take part in many events wearing their distinctive green shirts. They have a website where full details of upcoming events and training are available. See external links below.New Eltham Operatic Society is a member of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. As well as organising regular social events, they present one major production each year in April and one Autumn Concert, generally in September. See external links section below for a link to the society website for further details.
Footscray RUFC
Footscray RUFC
Footscray RUFC is a rugby union club based in New Eltham, South East London. The club has three men's teams, a women's team and a mini rugby section....
is located on Footscray Road - a rugby club that proudly follows rugby traditions. The club is better known for its reputation off the pitch rather than its playing prowess. The Footscray 7s is a highly competitive annual Rugby 7s tournament held at the club on the first Saturday in May. The tournament attracts entries from across the country.
Newpark FC play in the South London Alliance Division 3 and are currently holders of the Beckenham Hospital Cup. Several other local football clubs and the League One side Charlton Athletic have their training ground in New Eltham, down Sparrows Lane.
RACS Cricket Club are based in the area.
New Eltham also consists of two football teams of the same name in different competitive leagues, one of those play in the London & Kent Borders League and are based at the STC Ground on Ivor Grove on Sunday mornings. The team has two published authors, Andrew Muckle and Daniel Harrison, who both live in New Eltham, wrote Don't Drink the Water a travel diary charting their exploits whilst Inter-railing around Western Europe. The other New Eltham play in the Woolwich & Eltham League, based at the London girls football club on Southwood Road who play on a Sunday morning.
Amenities
Near the Railway station is the Library, the Co-operative Food Store, a cluster of small shops and restaurants and the Post Office. Larger chain stores may be found in nearby Eltham High Street and the larger shopping areas of BromleyBromley
Bromley is a large suburban town in south east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Bromley. It was historically a market town, and prior to 1963 was in the county of Kent and formed the administrative centre of the Municipal Borough of Bromley...
and Bluewater are a short drive away. Dance classes are held above the Co-op store and a public house opposite was refurbished during 2009. It offers a limited range of food and drinks.
Education
- For education in the portion of New Eltham in Greenwich, see the main London Borough of Greenwich article
Neighbouring areas
- ChislehurstChislehurstChislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
- Eltham
- MottinghamMottinghamMottingham is a district of south London, England; located at the convergence of the London Borough of Bromley, the London Borough of Lewisham and the London Borough of Greenwich...
- Sidcup
Railway stations
Frequent services from New Eltham railway stationNew Eltham railway station
New Eltham railway station is in the London Borough of Greenwich in south-east London, in Travelcard Zone 4. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Southeastern. Originally opened in 1878 as Pope Street Station, it was intended to be a luxurious station for first class season...
operate to London Bridge, Waterloo East, Charing Cross & Cannon Street terminals in Central London. Journey times average around 20 minutes. Connections are also made with Lewisham Station (10 minutes) where Docklands Light Railway services operate to the Docklands commercial district.
The following stations are adjacent stops on the line to 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...
and Cannon Street
Cannon Street
Cannon Street is a road in the south of the City of London. It runs roughly parallel with the River Thames, and about 250 metres north of it. It is the site of the ancient London Stone.-Etymology:...
stations 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...
known locally as the Dartford Loop
Dartford Loop Line
The Dartford Loop Line is one of three lines linking London with Dartford in Kent, England. It lies to the south of the other two: the North Kent Line and the Bexleyheath Line.-Construction:...
.
- Mottingham railway stationMottingham railway stationMottingham railway station is a suburban railway station situated on Court Road between Eltham and Mottingham, in the London Borough of Greenwich, south-east London. The station is located in Travelcard Zone 4, between Lee and New Eltham. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by...
distance: 1 mile - Sidcup railway stationSidcup railway stationSidcup railway station is a railway station located in Sidcup in the London Borough of Bexley in south-east London. It is in Travelcard Zone 5.-Services:These are operated by Southeastern, who also manage the station.* 2tph to * 2tph to...
distance: 1.5 miles
The following stations are adjacent stops on the line to 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...
and Cannon Street
Cannon Street
Cannon Street is a road in the south of the City of London. It runs roughly parallel with the River Thames, and about 250 metres north of it. It is the site of the ancient London Stone.-Etymology:...
stations 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...
known locally as the 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:...
.
- Eltham railway stationEltham railway stationEltham railway station is a railway station in Eltham, in the London Borough of Greenwich and on the Bexleyheath Line. The station and all trains serving it, are operated by Southeastern...
distance: 1.5 miles - Falconwood railway stationFalconwood railway stationFalconwood railway station is situated in the suburb of Falconwood, London Borough of Bexley, and is served by the Bexleyheath Line: it is about 10 miles from Central London. The station was opened much later than the remainder of the line, on 1 January 1936, to serve a growing area...
distance: 1.5 miles
External links
- Community Association of New Eltham
- New Eltham Residents Association
- New Eltham Operatic Society
- Dominic Drive Residents Association
- New Eltham Joggers
- The Green Chain
- Suburbia in Focus
- Kent Rail - New Eltham
- This is New Eltham
- Subterranea Britannica - New Eltham
- As featured in Hidden London book
- Let's move to Eltham - article in the Guardian