Moving to Bexleyheath

[RosyJ]

Hello!

We are planning on moving to Bexleyheath in the next couple of months, and just wanted a bit of info about the area and things to do! We are looking at a place not far from danson park. I know there is a sure start centre just up the road from it so I'm going to check it out for stuff to do with my 14 month old and I have found the library not far off too. I mostly wondered about shops, ie high street ones and where they are but also any nice independent shopping areas etc. The other thing is schools as we may be there for a few years- are there any really good ones or ones to avoid? We are in Brixton at the moment and schools seem to be a bit hit or miss around here! Is there a leisure centre with a pool/sports clubs/yoga etc nearby?

Also, what are the best/worst things about Bexley/Bexleyheath and is there anything I should specificly look out for/avoid!

Thanks in advance!

There is a leisure centre opposite the eastern end of Danson Park. Not sure of exactly what's on offer but it certainly has a pool etc.
There are good play areas in Danson Park, it's a very pleasant open space. In the summer it has a fab water play area.
Down at the bottom of Gravel Hill near Bexley Village is Hall Place, which is a pretty park centred round a medieval building (houses the local history archives, a small museum etc). A lot of work is going on there to transform an outbuilding into a reasonable cafe.
For independent shopping you are a bit stuffed, sorry - for me the huge downside of affordable Bexley (and SE9 Greenwich which is where we live) is the lack of desirable shopping - compared to e.g. Dulwich Village, East Dulwich, Crystal Palace etc
Bexley village has some nice shops but suffers from heavy traffic
Bexleyheath has a TK Maxx and all the usual chainstores in reasonable sized branches, but I really find it a bit at school chuck-out time. Like a 1970s football crowd. It is sauve qui peut at the bus-stop I can tell you.
Schools are generally good to excellent in Bexley - at primary and at secondary level. They tend to be large-scale though - often 3 form entry in primary and 1000 plus at secondary. Not sure if Days Lane or Longlands would be near to you, they are both highly rated.
Good points in a nutshell IMO - good schools, lots of open space and greenery (loads of allotment sites for example), affordable housing.
Less good points: bit of a white lower-middle class monoculture, so you don't get all the lovely fresh veg and fruit in ethnic delis and grocers, although this is changing; shopping is uninspiring, I end up at Bluewater tbh, or up in town; boring architecture

Hi, and welcome to the area. You are soo going to miss the multicultural vibe that you currently enjoy, echo what Marina said....we too moved from Dulwich area .

Plus points though you are moving to a nice area, plenty of woodland/nature walks that LO love.

Defo look up Surestart as they offer a range of excellent activities, I've managed to do Baby massage, yoga, music & movement all for free!

I second avoiding b'heath shopping centre at the end of school - it is heaving wirh kids. Te police are always there though.

Crook Log will be near you, a nice swimming pool. The new one in Sidcup is also great for little kids.

Also agree with boring architecture, although you can go to William Morris's house, The Red House near Danson Park.

Belvedere has a good splash park too.

Hi,

I live in Welling and I am looking for a nanny (either qualified or unqualified) to come to my house between 3 and 5 days a week starting in October. My daughter will be 10.5 months by then and I also have a 9 year old son who would potentially need to be dropped off and collected from school. We have a puppy Labrador, so would like him to be taken out each day if possible.

Please let me know if anyone knows of anyone.

Many thanks,
Holly