Grove Park, Lewisham

infobox UK place
country = England
region= London
official_name= Grove Park
latitude= 51.4313
longitude= 0.0210
os_grid_reference= TQ404722
london_borough= Lewisham
post_town= LONDON
postcode_area= SE
postcode_district= SE12, SE9
dial_code= 020
constituency_westminster= Lewisham East

Grove Park is an area, a suburb and electoral ward in the south-eastern corner of the London Borough of Lewisham. Early development grew up around Grove Park railway station in the 19th century, though there has been settlements located here since Celtic times. Much of it consists of a housing estate built by the Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham 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, which has now been redeveloped as a housing estate. There are a small number of public parks in the area, the largest of which is Chinbrook Meadows, which the River Quaggy flows northward through.

Transport

The main road passing through Grove Park centre is called Baring Road, it runs north-south direction and is part of the A2212 road; to the south it carries traffic to Bromley, and to the north it connects Grove Park to Lee Green. Train services from Grove Park railway station, operated by Southeastern, go to Bromley North, London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street stations. London buses 261, 126 and school bus 638 [ [http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/638.htm Transport for London 638 bus times and route] ] serve the bus stop outside the station; there is also a bus terminus in Baring Road near the station served by routes 136, 181, 284, 273 and night bus N136; the 124 also passes through Grove Park near the station. [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/grovepark-2107.pdf Transport for London bus map] ] Grove Park centre including the railway station is within London Travelcard Zone 4, but the northern parts of Grove Park towards Lee are within Travelcard Zone 3. The Green Chain Walk and Capital Ring also pass through Grove Park.

Postal

Grove Park is mostly covered by the SE12 postcode; as Lee was originally the district name for SE12, residents and other localities in Grove Park sometimes include Lee as part of their address. About one tenth of the area of Grove Park ward in its southeast corner, containing Chinbrook Estate, is within the SE9 postcode. There are two post office branches in Grove Park, both are on the west side of Baring Road one near the train station and the other about 1.5 km (1 mile) to the north of the station near Northbrook Park.

Churches

There are four main churches in the area representing different denominational persuasions and worship styles.

Jubilee International Church and South London Christian College are both located at 72a Mayeswood Road in the Grove Park Estate (behind the train station), and backs onto Chinbrook Meadows. This is a lively Pentecostal church, part of the Assemblies of God, with a leadership training centre for international students. The leader is Rev Dr Femi Olowo. www.jubileechurch.org.uk.

St Augustine's Church is located at 336 Baring Road on the edge of South Lee and Grove Park. This is a Church of England. The leader is Rev Gavin Berriman. www.staugustines-grovepark.com

Downham Way Family Church is located at 20 The Green, Downham Way. This church is a charismatic church and part of the New Frontiers network. The leader is Pastor Roger Smith. www.downhamwayfamilychurch.org.uk

Burnt Ash Methodist Church is located on Burnt Ash Hill on the edge of South Lee and Grove Park. The leader is Rev Claudia Lupi. www.blmethodist.org/burntash

Famous former residents

*Edith Nesbit
*Desmond Tutu
*Keeley Hazell
*Matty Warner
*Khori Walker-John

External links

* [http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/LocalHistoryAndHeritage/HistoricalResources/LocalAreas/GrovePark.htm Short history of the area]

References