This area is a unique suburban oasis in Bellingham, south London. Like other parts of south London, it boasts plenty of green space, such as Southend Park and Bellingham Green, while still offering affordable housing. However, what sets this neighbourhood apart is its particularly connected community. Families are drawn to the area for this reason exactly. Residents’ children are able to attend highly rated schools nearby, and safely explore the attractive suburban streets. Parents working in central London find that they can still have all of this without a painful commute. The neighbourhood is serviced by two Thameslink stations - Bellingham and Beckenham Hill. Still, this doesn’t mean that locals are quick to rush into central London during their days off either. Whether it’s catching up over a fry up at Parkview Cafe or volunteering at the Farmstead Road Community Garden, there’s plenty to do here.

The area of Bellingham initially served as a region for riverside farming. The local railway station opened at the end of the 19th century, but did little to jumpstart development in the neighbourhood. It wasn’t until after the First World War that large numbers of Londoners began to move into the area. In order to alleviate the housing pressure in central London, London County Council built a housing estate here in the 1920s. In the decades following, additional social housing estates popped up in the area. Later, during the 20th century, many of the estates and surrounding buildings began to deteriorate due to poor maintenance. However, by the start of the 21st century, local community groups have begun to refurbish major buildings.

Late heavyweight boxer, Henry Cooper, was a famous Bellingham resident. He’s well known for being one of the only fighters to defeat Muhammad Ali in 1963.

The area’s high street, Randlesdown Road, does have numerous modest shops and necessities but it doesn’t offer the higher end boutiques and independent eateries that other neighbourhood high streets do. Still, locals that live in the area feel that the street is more than sufficient in meeting their needs. They like the area’s modest and tight knit community feel.

This area has slowly been receiving more attention from housing developers. Most notable has been the recently completed £4 million renovation of the Fellowship Inn which transformed the listed pub into an entertainment centre with a theatre, cinema, cafe and even a microbrewery. The Crickett Corner development between 16 and 22 Brownhill Road is also currently under construction, taking advantage of the area’s industrial past to provide a selection of warehouse style apartments. Alternatively, the Bellingham Mews development will provide slightly larger residential properties with their own private gardens along Bellingham Road. Luckily these developments have not inflated property prices too much, with the postcode remaining relatively un-gentrified.