Falconwood
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Falconwood | |
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| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| London borough | Bexley |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | London |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WELLING |
| Postcode district | SE9 |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Dial code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| London Assembly | Bexley and Bromley |
| European Parliament | London |
| List of places: UK • England • London | |
Falconwood is a suburban area of London, England and forms part of the London Borough of Bexley.
Contents |
[edit] History
The estate - named Falconwood Park when first built in the late 1930s - occupied the site of former farmland. Falconwood railway station was opened in 1936 to serve this area. The Falconwood Community Centre was built for use by everyone living locally in 1954, used by the Falconwood and District Horticultural Society for the Annual Fruit Flower and Vegetable Show on the third Saturday in August.
Originally a large council housing estate, Falconwood has 2 postcode areas. The area surrounding the train station and Mable Crout Court comes under SE9, and the area surrounding Falconwood Park comes under DA16. Also near to Falconwood in nearby Avery Hill (Eltham) is Crown Woods School. Crown Woods School was built in the 1960’s in a large ‘H’ block typical of the concrete based architecture of the time in the United Kingdom. It was an inexpensive form of building, indicating that government funding was restricted for capital building projects at this time. There was an area adjacent to the school referred to as the mound. The mound was the spoil from the dig out from foundations from the building works and was subsequently grassed. The mound ultimately was removed because of the health and safety liabilities associated with a four metre high monolith in a school environment. At one stage there was a large ornamental pool and fountain in the main courtyard. The fountain was a statue depicting the Phoenix tearing its own flesh out to feed its young. The ornamental pool was ultimately filled in to prevent children from getting wet during the school day. Crown Woods School is located in the centre of a middle class suburb with two large public housing estates within the catchment area. This led to a mix of students from different ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds resulting in a rich learning environment. Linked with the school was a boarding facility and before the reduction in the British armed forces worldwide in the 1980’s there was a boarding school attached for children whose parents were serving overseas. This later became a centre for children with behavioural problems who could not be accommodated within the main school. The unit ultimately was closed down. Originally named the Falconwood Park Estate, it was by far the largest estate in the area. In the 1930s, Ideal Homesteads built the estate, making it around 300acres in size, and housing around 2250 dwellings. Falconwood is also a main part of the Green Chain Walk.
[edit] Transport
[edit] Rail
The nearest railway stations in the area are Falconwood railway station, situated just off the A2 (East Rochester Way) and on Lingfield Cresent, and Welling railway station situated just off the A207 (Bellegrove Road). Trains from these two stations runs to London Charing Cross and London Victoria via Lewisham to the west. In peak hours there is also a Cannon Street service. To the east the trains go to Dartford and a limited service to Gravesend and Gillingham.
[edit] Roads
Falconwood is on the route of the A2 which driving on either of these roads into London soon results in congestion, although the A2 does connect through to the Blackwall Tunnel under the Thames, and thus into East London, all on dual carriageway. Driving eastwards allows access to the Dartford Tunnel, and the Kent countryside, in as little as 20 minutes in off-peak hours.
Also Rochester Way leads to Eltham and Welling via Welling Way.
[edit] Buses
The B16 bus contracted by TfL runs between Kidbrooke Station and Bexleyheath Bus Garage; The B16 has a frequency of 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and at evening and Sundays the B16 has a frequency of 30 minutes.
The B15 bus which is also contracted by TfL runs between Eltham Station and Joydens Wood; The B15 has a frequency of 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and at evening the B15 has a frequency of 30-60 minutes. The B15 does not run on Sundays
[edit] Nearest places
- Avery Hill
- Bexleyheath
- Blackfen
- Eltham
- Shooter's Hill
- Welling
[edit] Natural areas
- Oxleas Wood
- Eltham Park
| Section 1: | Capital Ring Walking Route | Section 2: |
|---|---|---|
| Woolwich | Falconwood | Grove Park |
