Sidcup & Blackfen Market Data

Sidcup Shopping

Sidcup High Street is well thought of by local residents and contains a mix of chain stores, big brands and independent retailers. Morrisons is Sidcup’s lead supermarket, although there is a large Tesco at nearby Foots Cray. All the big banks and the Post Office have branches on the High Street, while local residents make a beeline for the Walnuts café. There’s even an antiques auction house tucked away on Church Road. Away from the main thoroughfare are a number of smaller shopping parades that service the local neighbourhoods such as Lamorbey, Longlands, Burnt Oak, Blendon, Marlborough Park and The Hollies. Blackfen has its own High Street and further shops can be found at The Oval – a parade located partway between Sidcup and Blackfen.

Sidcup Attractions

The Hollies is home to a fine Victorian manor house that was built around 1853 and was part of a working farm but it became a children’s home in the early 20th century. Today, it has been converted into dwellings as part of The Hollies estate. Sidcup Manor House is another of the town’s architectural gems. Located on The Green and now the centre for births, deaths and marriages, Sidcup Manor House has been used as a residential dwelling, a school and a nursing home. Sidcup Place is home to tennis courts, a children’s playground, pitch and put, and plenty of open space, while Sidcup Leisure Centre is home to two swimming pools and an array of sporting facilities. Golfers can also join Sidcup Golf Course, with its nine challenging holes and 18 tee boxes.

A short drive away is Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, which is far more than just a plant shop. The café is outstanding and there’s also an on-site formal dining restaurant called The Coach House. Ruxley Manor is regularly visited by a touring circus, and it runs children’s workshops and events throughout the year. And don’t miss its fabulous Christmas extravaganza, featuring a grotto, an ice rink and real reindeers.

Sidcup’s alumni are impressive, given the town’s modest nature. It is reputed that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had a conversation about music at Sidcup’s railway station, leading to the formation of the Rolling Stones. Illustrator Quintin Blake, Olympic athletes Steve Backley and John Regis, and John Paul Jones – bass guitarist of Led Zeppelin – were all born or lived in Sidcup.

Sidcup Food and drink

Much of Sidcup’s dining experiences can be found on or just off of the High Street. The Pizza Express is a firm favourite among families and Cucarachas is one of the liveliest restaurants, with Mexican food and cocktails for high-spirited evenings. The Brewer’s Fayre chain has a large restaurant at Sidcup Place, while Sophie’s Choice has been the ‘go-to’ Italian restaurant for 30 years. Elsewhere there is a large selection of Indian and Chinese restaurants to choose from, as well as numerous take-aways representing every corner of the globe. Blackfen is a popular spot for good honest pub grub and real ale. The most popular establishments are The Three Blackbirds, The Jolly Fenman and The George Staples.

Sidcup History

Despite its very suburban feel, records relating to Sidcup actually date back to the thirteenth century when King Henry VIII was in power. What was a cluster of houses around The Black Horse Inn grew to a larger settlement from the late 1600s onwards. Sidcup became popular with gentry and substantial houses, including Foots Cray Place (1754), Frognal (c.1670), Sidcup Place (1743) and Lamorbey (1744 and now home to the Rose Bruford drama school) sprung up. The Victorian era saw Sidcup grow further as the railway line arrived but it was the post-war house building frenzy that most characterises the Sidcup of today.

Sidcup Council Tax

Sidcup and Blackfen are in the Bexley borough and the latest council tax charges can be found here

Sidcup Hospitals

The nearest hospitals to Sidcup are Queen Mary’s Hospital (in the town itself), Queen Elizabeth in Woolwich and Darent Hospital in Dartford.

Sidcup Transport Links

Sidcup train station is located on Station Road and it sits in Zone 5. Services run into London Bridge, Waterloo East, Cannon Street and Charing Cross (journey times from 18 minutes), via Woolwich Arsenal and Lewisham (both for the DLR). The A20 can be accessed at the Crittal’s Corner round-about giving easy access to the M20 and M25, while the whole of Sidcup is served by a number of bus routes. Blackfen is well placed for the A2/M25, with the Danson Interchange junction located at the Blendon roundabout.

Sidcup Education

Three prep schools (Benedict House, Merton Court, West Lodge) and access to Bexley Borough’s four grammar schools make Sidcup a popular choice among families looking for exemplary education. Unusually, two of the south east’s most sought-after performing arts schools are also in Sidcup – The Bird College and The Rose Bruford College – whose graduates have gone on to stage and screen fame. The town also boasts some excellent state comprehensive and primary schools.

Primary schools:

• Birkbeck Primary School
• Hurst Primary School
• Burnt Oak Junior School
• Days Lane Primary School
• Holy Trinity Lamorbey CofE (VA) Primary School
• Longlands Primary School
• Orchard Primary School
• Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School
• Royal Park Primary School
• Joyden’s Wood Primary School
• Sherwood Park Primary School

Secondary schools:

• Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School
• Cleve Park
• Townley Grammar School for Girls
• Bexley Grammar School
• Beths Grammar School for Boys
• Blackfen School for Girls
• Hurstmere School
• St Catherine’s Catholic Girls School
• St Columba’s Catholic Boys School
• Bexleyheath Academy

Private:

• Merton Court
• Benedict House
• West Lodge