Beckenham: A forgotten gem of south-east London

Beckenham is a quaint and pretty little suburb located in the heart of Bromley, South-East London.

It has a rich and varied history dating back to the stone age, which has also helped to add to its cultural heritage. It's green, leafy suburban surroundings, fantastic transport links and affordable homes make it an ideal area for young professionals and families who are increasingly drawn to the area.

Over the years, Beckenham has undergone significant regeneration. It is known for its great nightlife, amenities and restaurants, which have also improved over time.

Millions of pounds have been pumped into revamping the area and this has helped it to become an even bigger draw among Londoners.

It also has a number of fantastic educational facilities, including independent schools, academies, primaries and secondaries.

In addition, Beckenham is home to a number of parks and green spaces and has some of the most beautiful landscaped areas in the borough. 

This, along with its strong communities, has helped to give bit of a really village-like feel. It is one of the forgotten gems of South London, which is sandwiched between South Norwood and Bromley.

Properties

The architecture of Beckenham is simply amazing. It has everything from late Victorian and Edwardian houses to 1920s apartments.

It also has its fair share of modern properties, many of which were constructed in the sixties. Properties in the area range from quaint terraced cottages and detached homes to grand and magnificent six bedroom houses.

The great thing about the properties in the area is that they are more affordable than in most London equivalents.

Just to give you a slight idea, a five-bedroom family house in Beckenham is half the price of a similar house in Dulwich.

You will find some of the best deals around Downs Hill, New Beckenham, Village Way, Kelsey Lane, and the Park Langley conservation area. 

To find some of the lowest prices in the district, your best bet is to look for houses around Queens road, Cedars road, and Kings Hall road.

But perhaps the most surprising thing about properties in the area are the prices. You can find real bargains here.

For example, the average detached home in Beckenham would set you back around £660,000.

For a really grand home, you are looking at around £2.5 million. A terraced home would cost you somewhere in the region of £420,000-£550,000, while the average semi-detached property would fetch around £675,000, and up to £1.25 million for the more luxurious houses.

According to some of the advertised price lists on websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla, the typical three-bed flat would cost between £300,000-£450,000. On the other hand, a two-bed is priced between £225,000-£430,000, while a one-bed can be bought within the price range of £1500,000-£350,000, depending on how nice the flat is.

For many people, renting is probably the cheapest option. A decent studio flat can cost you between £700-£950 per month; while a three-bed house is in the region of £1,300-£1,800 per month.

When it comes to finding suitable accommodation in Beckenham, because of the sheer number of properties available and the reasonable prices, you are sure to find something you like, particularly if you are renting.

History

Beckenham has a very rich, cultural background. Very little is known about its written history, however some artifacts dating back to between 6000 BCE and 2000 BCE have been discovered in the area.

Ornaments from the period between 3300–1200 BC have also been discovered. In addition, a Roman camp has also been found there, along with a Roman road - the London to Lewes Way - which ran through the area.

It has also been highly influenced by the Norman era. Going forward into later history, Beckenham remained a small, rural village that used to be part of Kent, until the coming of the railway in the 1800s.

However, it was then developed by a wealthy family of entrepreneurs who built large villas in the district.

Since then, its popularity gradually soared from 2000 to 26,000 during 1850–1900 and beyond.

Amenities

Beckenham has a generous selection of amenities which suit a number of different tastes and requirements.

It also has a very busy high street, plus many well-known stores, along with independent stores. 

In addition, it boasts a cinema and a leisure centre, which includes a refurbished gym, fitness classes and a swimming pool.

For those who want to travel slightly further afield, Bromley and Croydon shopping centres are within easy reach.


Culture

There is plenty of cultural things to see and do in Beckenham. The architecture of the buildings there is a gem in itself - even the Odeon cinema is a grade II listed building.


In terms of entertainment, you have Beckenham Theatre which hosts a number of performances, readings and events throughout the year.


And who could forget the Beckenham Festival of Music and Dancing which takes place every November?

It is one of the biggest amateur competitive performing arts festivals in the south-east of England.

During the event, over 400 classes in music and dancing are held, while there are chances to win certificates, medals and trophies.

Published 8th August, 2014

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