Herne Hill
Coordinates: 51°27′16″N 0°05′37″W / 51.4544°N 0.0936°W
| Herne Hill | |
 Herne Hill
Herne Hill shown within Greater London |
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| OS grid reference | TQ325745 |
|---|---|
| London borough | Lambeth |
| Southwark | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | London |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | SE24 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | Dulwich and West Norwood |
| London Assembly | Lambeth and Southwark |
| List of places: UK • England • London | |
Herne Hill is located in the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Southwark in Greater London. There is a road of the same name which continues the A215 north of Norwood Road and was called Herne Hill Road.
Contents |
[edit] History
The name Herne Hill initially appeared in 1798, when the area was farms and woodland. It has been suggested that it derives from previously being called Heron's Hill, as the River Effra attracted a large number of herons, but other explanations have also been suggested.
[edit] Geography
Herne Hill is situated between the more well-known areas of Brixton, Dulwich and Camberwell. It also straddles two boroughs, and is a community of just under 12,000 people, with a range of independent shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants. Famous Herne Hill residents from history include John Ruskin and the Lupino family, and actor Roddy McDowall was born there.
[edit] Local features
The area is home to Brockwell Park. Near a hilltop in Brockwell Park stands Brockwell Hall, which was built in 1831. The land surrounding it was opened to the public in 1891 after it was purchased by London County Council. Brockwell Park hosts the annual Lambeth Country Show and was the site of London's Gay Pride festival for several years in the 1990s. The park also houses Brockwell Lido, an open-air swimming pool built in 1937.
Situated in a park off Burbage Road, the Herne Hill Velodrome was built in 1891, is the only remaining cycle racing track in London, and hosted the track cycling events in the 1948 Olympic Games. Unlike most modern, steeply-banked velodromes, it is a shallow concrete bowl. It also has a football pitch, and was home of Crystal Palace F.C. from 1915 until 1918. The 'Save the Herne Hill Velodrome' campaign is currently seeking to find a way to secure the future of the site and make it a viable long-term facility for all, including local residents and schools.
The Grade II listed Half Moon Pub on Half Moon Lane has hosted a boxing gym for over 50 years, currently run by former British and European light welterweight champion Clinton McKenzie.[1] It is on the route of the River Effra.
St Paul's church on Herne Hill was originally built by G Alexander in 1843-4, at a cost of £4958,[2] but dramatically rebuilt after a destructive fire by the gothic architect G E Street in 1858, and is now listed Grade II*.
The lake in Sunray Gardens at the junction of Elmwood Road and Red Post Hill, was originally the fish pond in Casino house dating from 1796 to 1797 (now demolished), of which the adjoining Casino Estate still bears the name. Sunray Gardens is a Grade II Listed landscape.
[edit] North of Herne Hill
The Carnegie Public Library on the road now named Herne Hill Road opened in 1906 after a Lambeth Librarian got a grant from Andrew Carnegie for building a library within the Herne Hill area. It is also a listed Grade II building.[3]
A Blue Plaque at 51 Herne Hill (by the junction with Danecroft Road) marks the former home of author Sax Rohmer (a.k.a. Arthur Henry Ward), most famous as author of the series of novels featuring the master criminal Dr. Fu Manchu.
[edit] Notable former and current residents
- Harriet Harman MP. In 2008 there were two separate Fathers 4 Justice protests on the roof of her house.
- James Nesbitt
- Elly Jackson (La Roux)
- Roddy McDowall star of Planet of the Apes film series -born and raised in Herne Hill
- James Fielding journalist for the Sunday Express
- Bert Temple, founder of the Ancient Order of Froth Blowers was born and raised in Herne Hill
- Barney Geddes moved here in 2003 and considers the area a vital inspiration for his music and art
- Cathy Newman, news anchor for Channel 4.[4]
[edit] Distance from Charing Cross
Herne Hill is approximately four miles south of Charing Cross.
[edit] Transport
[edit] Nearest Railway Stations
- Brixton railway station
- Herne Hill railway station
- Loughborough Junction railway station
- North Dulwich railway station
- Tulse Hill railway station
- West Dulwich railway station
- Denmark Hill railway station
- West Norwood railway station
[edit] Nearest Tube Station
[edit] Nearest places
[edit] Nearest Bus Routes
Bus Routes 3, 37, 42, 68, 196, 201, 322, 468, P4 and Night Routes N3 and N68 all serve one part of the Herne Hill Area
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The Herne Hill Forum
- The Herne Hill Society
- Herne Hill Velodrome
- Save the Herne Hill Velodrome
- Old images of Herne Hill
- Herne Hill News and Message Board
- Carnegie Public Library
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