Barmehurst / East Bexleyheath

[Housemovers1994]

Hi!

We're looking at putting an offer on a property in Barnehurst below Martens Grove Park and above Watling Street. We don't know the area very well, but all seems like a quiet, nice, family area.

We know it's not considered as "posh" as bexley village, petts wood etc, but if its safe and quiet then that's all good.

We probably won't use the Broadway shopping center that much, but its nice to know its there.

Any advice on the general area or anecdotes on specific streets would be very helpful!

Also can see Gravel Hill primary is the closest school if anyone's had any experiences of it?

Thanks!

The Broadway is best avoided at school kicking out time and there is often a dispersal order in place. Just letting you know that before you put an offer in!

My friends kids went to Gravel Hill and thought it was good. But a fair amount of people are a bit snobby about it.

Not a problem really, we both work full time in london most the week and would probably only go to the Broadway occasionally at weekends.

Good to know, thanks!

Any reason for the snobbiness? All the schools in the area seem good so seems like splitting hairs.

Maybe the better question is there any we should avoid!

Thanks!

I’m not sure really but I’ve heard some snobby comments about Gravel Hill but my friend thought it was good. Haberdashers also meant to be good but that’s more Crayford way.

Did you chose the house or the area first? It’s not somewhere I’d chose to live if I could afford it

Thanks for the feedback.

It would be interesting to hear why not?

It feels safe and the street was nice and quiet, so ticks a lot of boxes.

We couldn't afford something comparable in Sidcup / New Eltham which were our first choices, so were getting a lot more for our money.

Thanks!

What have you decided OP? I live down the road from there, moved from greenwich last year. It’s an area that’s pleasantly surprised me in many ways but I do have my moments where I am disappointed with it, mainly that’s when I compare it to greenwich though. I don’t have school aged kids yet but there’s great amenities for babies, activities are very spread out though so you’ll enjoy it better with a car. There’s a new sushi place that’s opened where you’re looking and a coffee van, perhaps Barnehurst is coming up in the world 🤣 The broadway isn’t that bad, I’d say it’s more pleasant on a weekday before 3pm. You’ll also be near Crayford which has some shops and is less busy with a nice library.

Meant to add, I don’t see much anti social behaviour in barnehurst, I’m near the station and really only it’s the pub that has some rowdy people, but nothing crazy yet. You won’t be near that anyway. There’s lots of parks in walking distance and even more of driving. Hall place gardens, martens Grove Park, barnehurst open space, burstead woods.

Hi, thanks for this! Super helpful and appreciated.

We had an offer accepted! We'll be below the park :)

Overall, we're very pleased, and feel the house was very good value for money compared to areas like sidcup and bexley village. (Which im aware are "nicer", but feel like 40-50% more expensive for a comparable house)

We don't have and kids yet and are coming from Brixton, so it almost feels like moving to middle of countryside in comparison!

It would be good to know what things have disappointed you though, so we can try and be aware?

Thanks!

It's a lovely area! A lot of people are snobby about it but they are wrong. Near you you'll have Marten's Grove Park, Bursted Woods and Hall Place for green spaces. You've also got Danson Park not too far which is lovely (I recommend the tea shop in Danson House!). Lots of good primary schools, you'll be in catchment for May place and Bursted Wood which are both great. The only downside I'd say is the Grammar system which means many of the non-grammar secondary schools struggle. I have a lot of friends who grew up here that chose to stay very local as adults, which says a lot I think. It's a lot less transitory than many parts of London.

Oops just seen your update! Welcome!!

Thanks so much! This is very reassuring and much appreciated.

We've also now been told by friends and friends who live in the area positive things, so are feeling good about the area!

Congratulations! It will be an adjustment from Brixton, i used to live there, it will definitely feel quieter and more spread out, think more chains than independents.

So positives are definitely the green space, there are so many parks local and also more a short drive/ bus ride away, I’ve been here 18 months and haven’t even managed to visit them all yet. The amenities for children are amazing, so many sports grounds, soft plays to choose from, the Broadway regularly has a fun fair and food market on, Erith close by has a theatre, Danson youth centre has lots of extra curricular activities for reasonable prices, Hall Place has a butterfly farm and an owl sanctuary. Broadway also has lots of shops which are handy so you don’t need to go far for necessities. Blue water is also on your door step. There’s also a little market in Danson park and also Abbey wood- another great park. Oh and how can I forget, the Kent coast is less than an hour away.

Negatives (on a superficial level) are the lack of independent coffee shops etc, the lack of a village feel that other parts of London have but you can get that in Bexley village and Sidcup which is a 10 minute bus/ drive away. You’re also not far from Woolwich/ Greenwich, Woolwich is very gentrified now, a mini Brixton I would say and the riverside is lovely.

The broadway seems to be the only area where you see a lot of teenagers running around with their little boyfriends wearing next to nothing, I haven’t really seen much of that up Barnehurst way, it’s very much families who keep to themselves, I also see really nice teenagers around Barnehurst station although I did notice their uniform said ‘something grammar’ so that might be telling. It’s also surprised me how multicultural it is, kids on our cul de sac play nicely together and are all from different races. I go to a play group which is mainly of black ethnicities which I didn’t expect before I move as I know it’s predominantly a white working class area- and it is, or at least used to be. I’ve heard some racist remarks on public transport from older generations. I’m in a Facebook group where there’s been praise for people putting up English flags on the lamposts recently but I haven’t seen them in Barnehurst just yet and I think Facebook attracts odd people either way so I’d take that with a pinch of salt. The older, narrow minded generations seem to be moving on and younger, more diverse families are moving in.

The flags are up are around Barnehurst now, such a shame as it’s a nice little community here; quite multicultural for a suburb.

Hi,

Thanks for all the detail! Super helpful and very appreciated.

Both the positives and negatives are exactly as we expected.

We knew there was a lack of more independent coffee shops, "brunchy" places etc, but not a big deal as Bexley villages is almost walking distance and can get all that there.

Shame to hear about the flags. It seems to be a bit of a national thing, and hopefully just the loud minority.

Still very much excited to move, and appreciate all the answers!