This area in east Bexley is an eclectic mix of the old and the new, the industrial as well as the homely. It covers the riverside part of Erith, the older Lessness Heath settlement of Victorian-style terraces, and parts of Northumberland Heath. Much of the area is newly developed and interest is not yet booming so there is a worthwhile opportunity for first-time buyers looking for a reasonable price per square meter deal. Locals benefit from a large Morrisons at their doorstep while the Erith Riverside shopping centre caters for most other everyday needs. The commercial presence is well-balanced by Frank’s Park – a beautiful 17 hectare wooded park and garden on the edge of Belvedere. Historical architecture amateurs will be impressed by the 12th century listed St John the Baptist Church, one mile west of the town centre. The area is home to the Bexley campus of the London South East Colleges offering vocational courses, and higher education courses linked with Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church Universities and apprenticeships. The local primary schools in the area are St Fidelis Catholic, Northumberland Heath and Belmont, all rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

The area cannot easily be attributed to a single key historical function. Furthermore, it followed neither the trend of the Bexley borough – agriculture prior to the 1930s, suburban development following the wars – nor that of Kent. In fact, Erith went through a number phases: from holiday town, through industrial centre during Victorian times to relative decline in the 20th century. Throughout this whole period, the area has stayed true to its historical nametag – the place name ‘Erith’ originates from the Saxon for ‘muddy harbour’, a crude identity which can still be felt walking up London’s longest pier. Unfortunately, and partly as a result of Erith’s 19th century industrial success, WWII brought devastation to the town which was strategically important during the war. It was not until a first round of redevelopment in the 60s and then another in the 90s, with the coming of various retail developments, that the area would pick itself up again.

Though not massively fond of her hometown, the much-adored radio star and comedian Linda Smith was born and raised in Erith. Most famed for her work on the show News Quiz, in 2002, the star was voted Wittiest Living Person by listeners of Radio 4. Smith drew her humour from a wide source of inspiration: her northern education at the University of Sheffield; the Jewish humour of her husband as well as the bible; and the hopelessness of Erith in the 60s and early 70s. She famously joked about the place that it is “not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham”.

In its earlier days, the Erith Playhouse did not have its own licensed bar. To keep up the spirits, audience members would visit neighbouring pubs during the intervals which rendered the tradition of sounding bells signalling the beginning of acts at these pubs as well as the playhouse – a tradition still intact today. Popular myth has it that after spending a night at Erith on his way to France, Henry VIII made the crucial decision to establish a dockyard in the town, where currently the Riverside Gardens are situated. It was here that his flagship vessel, ‘Great Harry’, was fitted out.

This decision would have the effect of shifting the town centre from where St John the Baptist stands to the current location. The fate of the former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher was equally hinged on the events of one special day in Erith. She would meet her future husband Denis while campaigning in the town.

The remnants of 19th century industry and the heavy presence of warehouse units (Europa Trading Centre) are part of the reason the locale has not attracted much attention until recently. The legacy of industrial decline has also given the area a rather ‘rough’ image, with some pockets within the area having a reputation for youth violence and child poverty levels having climbed above the regional and national averages.

Yet the area hardly suffers from a lack of character. The Thatcherite link to the area has, if anything, resulted in a ‘reverse-psychological reaction of a bold sense of community’, explains a local who has lived here for just over a year. Innovative street art, sculpture, the Erith Playhouse (the largest in the borough) are all manifestations of the area’s rich culture.

In addition to the regenerative developments commenced around 2014, such as Quadrant’s (completed) 61 new residential units at the former Erith Baths site or The Quarry (L&Q Shared Ownership and Help to Buy available), a number of sources of funding have been secured to revitalise various aspects of Erith town, including from the London Enterprise Panel and from TfL, with the aim of stimulating investment through face-lifting high streets and infrastructure. Bexley Council’s Growth Strategy expects to develop 6,000 new homes in Erith and in 2022 the Erith Riverside Shopping Centre was sold to BYM Capital with the likely plan to redevelop the shopping centre into a mixed-use commercial and residential development. Also in 2022, Bexley Council approved plans to redevelop the Riverside Gardens in Erith. The proposal, developed by Erect Architecture, involves the demolition of the existing ramp and stairs on the Thames Promenade and enhancements, which include a new playground, new pathways, light fittings, and a flagpole.

The grade-II listed Carnegie Building is also set to reopen after a £2 million redevelopment project will turn the building into a “cultural, artistic and designer” hub for creative business. It partially reopened in 2019 but the non-profit managing the building has been seeking further funds to secure the Library’s future and maximise its benefit to the community. The restoration will transform the upper two floors of unused space into a new community workshop, refurbish the main central hall for large community-led activities and a local garden will also be created.