The area of Slade Green encompasses a suburban swathe at the edge of Erith to the west, up to a large piece of marshland, known as Howbury Park, to the east. It is bisected by the River Derwent, as it flows through the middle of this neighbourhood, offering a welcomed site for relaxation. Some industry exists to the north of both areas along the banks of the Thames. The populated part of Slade Green itself is divided by the Southeastern railway line into the leafier west and south, and the more built-up east and north, which borders the industrial zones. The area has many warehouses and other industrial features, but otherwise is mostly residential, with a plethora of stores, ranging from florists to supermarkets, which are dispersed throughout the area. There is a small warehouse district located in the middle of this neighbourhood, and it is here that one can find a well-loved community centre. The architecture is mainly post-war terraced and semi-detached housing, and these houses are particularly popular with those looking to commute, as the railway station is located just to the south of Slade Green.

The Slade Green area was first written as ‘Hov’ in Domesday Book (meaning a ‘heel’ of land in Old English), which later became the manor of Howbury. The term Slade Green is slightly younger, being first mentioned in the 16th century. The ruins of Howbury Manor still exist around the area today, although they are rapidly deteriorating. The area remained agricultural up to the 19th century, which brought when the Milton Barracks opened in 1862. The town of Singlewell (originally Shinglewell) was named after an ancient well that was filled in during the First World War and began to be built up around in 1957.

Did you know that John Downton was born in Erith in 1906, and was educated at Erith Grammar School? He was an English artist, philosopher, musician and poet. He studied at Queens’ College Cambridge and later trained as a painter at the Slade. His subject matters and techniques were unfashionable; however, his legacy still lives on in the annual John Downton Award for Young Artists. It may also interest you to know that the Thames Ammunition Works was founded in 1870 along the River Darent, and initially transported materials from this area to the Royal Woolwich Arsenal, situated just down the river; it would remain active through both world wars, only closing down in 1962.

There are not many stores in Slade Green – the area is, as has already been mentioned, rather industrial in nature, and this brings with it heavy vehicular traffic and visual pollution. In addition, some parts of the neighbourhood can be more difficult to walk through; the riverbank has not been developed as per the Victoria and Albert Embankments in central London.

Slade Green has seen an increase in new construction activity in recent years, potentially prompted by recent developments in Erith and nearby Abbey Wood, where the Elizabeth Line currently terminates. Ratio, a development by Redrow, offers 2 bedroom apartments as well as 3 and 4 bedroom family houses. The development is already sold out! Another large residential complex in the area is Egerton Place by Abbey New Homes, which offers 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom houses on the northern end of Slade Green. Both projects were designed with a focus on landscaping and the provision of shared and private green outdoor space.