Northumberland Heath
| Northumberland Heath | |
| Kent | |
|---|---|
 Bexley Road | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ505771 |
| Location: | 51°28’22"N, -0°10’4"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 10,598 (2011) |
| Post town: | Erith |
| Postcode: | DA8 |
| Dialling code: | 01322 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Bexley |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Bexleyheath and Crayford/ Erith and Thamesmead |
Northumberland Heath is a suburban village of norther Kent, found to the south of Erith and north of Bexleyheath.
History
The area was once known as ‘Spike Island’ after the workhouse that was situated there; spike being the slang term for a workhouse at the time, taking the name from the implement used to unravel rope offcuts to be used for boat caulking, a chore undertaken by the able bodied inmates.[1][2] The area is mainly residential although there is a large industrial bakery in Belmont Road. Much of the housing stock is Victorian with some 1940s council developments and a Cottage estate built for local Vickers armaments workers in 1916.
A conservation area on Brook Street safeguards some terraces that represent early examples of municipal housing.
Churches
- Church of England: St Paul's, on Mill Road
- Roman Catholic: Our Lady of the Angels, on Bexley Road, which has a Capuchin friary attached
Community
Erith Rugby Club is based in Northumberland Heath
Northumberland Heath Science Fiction Group[3]