Blackheath railway station

Blackheath railway station is Grade II-listed and is in the south-centre of Blackheath, a village in southeast London. In traditional terms the area immediately south-west of the station around Lee Terrace and Lee Park is part of Lee;[3] a status challenged by the station's naming, buildings such as the Blackheath Halls and the development of Blackheath Park to the south east. It is 8 miles 52 chains (13.9 km) measured from London Victoria.

This article is about the station in London, England. For the station in Blackheath, New South Wales, see Blackheath railway station, New South Wales.

Blackheath
Blackheath
Location of Blackheath in Greater London
LocationBlackheath
Local authorityLondon Borough of Lewisham
Managed bySoutheastern
Station codeBKH
DfT categoryC2
Number of platforms2
AccessibleYes
Fare zone3
National Rail annual entry and exit
2014–15 3.226 million[1]
– interchange  17,584[1]
2015–16 3.448 million[1]
– interchange  16,284[1]
2016–17 3.469 million[1]
– interchange  41,831[1]
2017–18 3.351 million[1]
– interchange  21,440[1]
2018–19 3.274 million[1]
– interchange  27,300[1]
Key dates
30 July 1849Opened
Listed status
Listed featureBlackheath Railway Station
Listing gradeII
Entry number1358479[2]
Added to list12 March 1973
Other information
External links
WGS8451.4658°N 0.0089°E / 51.4658; 0.0089
 London transport portal

The tracks run through the village and are crossed by a road overbridge on which the station buildings stand.

View eastward, towards Dartford in 1962

Much of the original station, dating back at track level to 1849 and at ticket office level to 1879, remains. It was built using London bricks to a design by George Smith (who also built Greenwich station). At the "country" end of the platforms the lines branch off to the North Kent and Bexleyheath lines. The former passes through the one mile long (1.6 km) Blackheath Tunnel immediately after the junction; the latter through the shorter Kidbrooke Tunnel after a short cutting.

Blackheath's station has two platforms which are partially covered with a weather canopy. Glass and metal waiting shelters were erected on the London ends of both platforms in April 2018. The downside platform has a disused platform face (bay platform) facing towards London, used in earlier days by commuter trains terminating here. Unusually, the track in the bay remains in situ, although it is now heavily overgrown and otherwise obstructed. The area to the north (now a car park) was formerly an area of railway sidings, where the commuter trains were stabled when out of service.

The bay platform used to come into its own when a circus was taking place on Blackheath. Many of the animals would arrive in railway box vans. The circus would then proceed through Blackheath Village on to the heath.

The station cannot be relied upon as a way of reaching Blackheath during November's traditional free fireworks display, as it is normally closed early on that day for safety reasons. Conversely, in April, on the Sunday of the London Marathon, it is crucial in enabling athletes and their supporters to reach the starting line, as on that day bus services across the heath are usually suspended as the roads are closed.

Blackheath Halls, run by Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and The Conservatoire are approximately 100m south of the station.

Services

The typical off-peak service from the station is:

Preceding station National Rail Following station
Lewisham   Southeastern
North Kent Line		   Charlton
  Southeastern
Bexleyheath line
& Victoria-Dartford Line		   Kidbrooke

Facilities

There is an adjacent car park to the north of the station (with 205 spaces) and another nearby off Blackheath Grove. Both are managed by the local authority. Charges apply 365 days a year at all times.

Connections

London Buses routes 54, 89, 108 and 202 and night route N89 serve the station.

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References
  1. "Station usage estimates". Rail statistics. Office of Rail Regulation. Please note: Some methodology may vary year on year.
  2. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1358479)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  3. https://www.achurchnearyou.com/search/?lat=51.463&lon=-0 St Margaret's, Lee, map of parish, Church of England, retrieved 2019-08-11.
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