Bickley

For other uses, see Bickley (disambiguation).

Bickley
Bickley  Bickley shown within Greater London
Population	13,904  (ward, 2001 Census)
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
List of places: UK • England • London

The ward of Bickley (red) shown within the London Borough of Bromley (orange)

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. Well known for its large and expensive houses, Bickley boasts being one of the richest areas within London. It is part of the Bromley and Chislehurst Parliament constituency.

Geography

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 the bridge was structurally weak and in danger of collapse, which caused anger among many residents who thought that 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. Work is currently taking place on the bridge and is expected to be completed by the end of Fenruary 2012.

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 Hindu and Indian people in 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.

Notable residents

• Freddie van den Bergh (born 1992) cricketer
• 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 Jubliee Park and it is linked to National Trust countryside at Petts Wood and beyond that to Scadbury Park Nature Reserve.

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:

• 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

Main article: List of schools in the London Borough of Bromley

Transport and locale

Nearest places

• Bromley
• Chislehurst
• Elmstead Woods
• Petts Wood

Nearest railway stations

• Bickley railway station
• Chislehurst railway station
• Elmstead Woods railway station
• Petts Wood railway station

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

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