Grove Park, Western Kent
| Grove Park | |
| Kent | |
|---|---|
 Downham Way, Grove Park | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ404722 |
| Location: | 51°25’53"N, -0°1’16"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 14,648 (2011) |
| Post town: | Bromley / London |
| Postcode: | BR1, SE9, SE12 |
| Dialling code: | 020 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Lewisham |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Lewisham East |
Grove Park is a residential suburb in Kent, in the north-west of the county and deep within the metropolitan conurbation. It is to be found to the north-east of Bromley and south-east of Lewisham.
Known for its green spaces, Grove Park is flanked by the Grove Park Nature Reserve and Northbrook Park, and Downham Fields to the west, Horn Park to the East, as well as Chinbrook Meadows, Kings Meadow and Sundridge Park to the south. Various sports grounds and fields spread out around Grove Park too.
Name
There was a farm named Grove Farm, where Sometrees Avenue is now located, around 400 yards north of Grove Park railway station.[1][2][3]Grove Farm appeared named on maps from at least 1870,[1] and it is thought this farm gave its name to Grove Park railway station, Grove Park Road, the road built to join Grove Park to Mottingham,[2] and also gave its name to Grove Park itself.[2][3] It is presumed the word "Grove" in the place name was simply derived from a grove of trees that existed in the area.[4]
Grove Park railway station opened in 1871; The name "Grove Park" referring to the station, appeared on maps from at least 1884, but the name Grove Park referring directly to the place itself appears on maps slightly later, from as early as 1896.[5]
History
Though settlement in this area can be traced back to the Iron Age, up to the farms of modern times, the Grove Park seen today was developed as a metropolitan suburb in the 1870s.[6] More development grew up around Grove Park railway station in the 19th century, Much of it consists of a housing estate built by the local council in the 1920s.
A workhouse was built in the area in 1902. After use by the Army during the First World War it became Grove Park hospital. There are multiple public parks in the area, the largest of which is Chinbrook Meadows, through which the River Quaggy flows northward. The Quaggy runs through and joins the second park known as Mottingham playing fields (colloquially known as 'Foxes') which borders the neighbouring Mottingham area. Grove Park is also home to part of the Green chain walk, linking London's green spaces as well as Elmstead woods.
In recent times the area has received a facelift: the area around the station being completely modernised.
Churches
- Church of England: St Augustine's Church. (Desmond Tutu, later Archbishop of Cape Town, ministered at St Augustine's between 1970 and 1974.)[7]
- Methodist: Burnt Ash Methodist Church, on Burnt Ash Hill[8]
- Elim Pentecostal: Word of Life Church, on Mayeswood Road[9]
- Charismatic Pentecostal: King's Church Downham, on Downham Way (part of the New Frontiers network)[10]
About the village
- Baring Hall Hotel, an elegant Grade II listed building of the 1870s.[6]
The Archbishop Desmond Tutu Peace Garden was opened in 2009, in Chinbrook Meadows. Tutu lived nearby, at 29 Chinbrook Road, in the 1970s.[11]
Grove Park Nature Reserve was opened in 1984.
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Template:Cite map
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "History of Grove Park". www.ideal-homes.org.uk. 2010-09-29. https://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/lewisham/assets/histories/grove-park.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Grove Park, Lewisham". Hidden London. 2010-01-01. https://hidden-london.tripod.com/grovepk.html.
- ↑ Mills, A. D. (2004). Dictionary of London Place Names. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP: Oxford University Press. p. 96. ISBN 0-19-860957-4).
- ↑ Template:Cite map
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 National Heritage List 1456451: Baring Hall Hotel and associated stable block (Grade II listing)
- ↑ "Home". http://www.staugustines-grovepark.com/.
- ↑ Burnt Ash Methodist Church
- ↑ Word of Life LLC
- ↑ King's Church Downham
- ↑ "Desmond Tutu opens peace garden". 14 July 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8149726.stm.