Bickley

thumb|right|252px|The ward of Bickley (red) shown within the London Borough of Bromley (orange)

Bickley is a district and a local government electoral ward in South East London, within the London Borough of Bromley. It is located 10.4 miles (16.7 km) south east of Charing Cross, bordering Elmstead to the north, Chislehurst to the north-east and east, Petts Wood to the south-east, Southborough to the south, Bromley to the south-west and west and Widmore to the north-west. Until 1965, it was in the historic county of Kent.

History

The area's name is first recorded in 1279, the 'ley' or 'lea' referring to a forest clearing, and 'Bicca' either meaning a pointed ridge, or else a personal name. The area remained rural, save for a small hunting lodge belonging to the Wells family dating to 1759.

Whitehall Recreation Ground

A large play area on Southlands Road with a children's playground.

Widmore Recreation Ground

A small local park with a children's playground which has entrances in Pembroke Road, Lewes Road and Tylney Road.

Education

Schools in Bickley

Bickley Park (Independent)
Bickley Primary School
Breaside Preparatory School (Independent)
Bromley High School (Independent)
Bullers Wood School for Boys
Scotts Park Primary
St. George's Bickley Primary

Transport

Bickley station serves the area with services to London Victoria, Kentish Town, Orpington and Sevenoaks via Swanley. Bickley is also served by several Transport for London buses, connecting it with areas including Beckenham, Bexleyheath, Bromley, Catford, Chislehurst, Eltham, Locksbottom, Orpington, Petts Wood and Sidcup.

Politics and government

Bickley is part of the Bickley and Sundridge ward for elections to Bromley London Borough Council.

Places of worship

St George's Church
St. Augustine's Church
Southborough Lane Baptist Church

Notable residents

David Bowie (1947-2016), musician, lived at 106 Canon Road from 1953 to 1954.
Colin Cowdrey, Baron Cowdrey of Tonbridge (1932–2000) Cricket player, lived on Hawthorne Road until about 1965.
Florence Farr (1860–1917), religious writer and playwright, was born in Bickley.
Norman Fulton (1909–1980), composer, lived in Bickley.
Evelyn Hellicar (1862–1929), architect.
Gertrude Hermes (1901–1983) wood engraver, print maker and sculptor, born in Bickley.
Ethel Hurlbatt, principal of Bedford College, London, born in Bickley.
Pixie Lott (born 1991), singer-songwriter, spent part of her childhood in Bickley.
Ernest Newton (1856–1921), architect who designed many houses in the area.
Peter Quennell (1905–1993), biographer, literary historian, editor, essayist, poet, and critic, son of CHB Quennell.

File:'One Chimney', Bickley, Kent - geograph.org.uk - 137095.jpg|A typical house in the area

File:Bickley station building.JPG|Bickley rail station

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