Downham

Suburb, existing between 1926 and now.

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2020
The Downham Estate dates from the late 1920s.

The Downham Estate arrived on the scene in 1926, but its name originates in 1914 when the London County Council (LCC) agreed to build three large housing estates. The land was acquired in 1920. Downham covered the lands of two farms, Holloway Farm to the west and Shroffolds Farm to the north. Before the Estate was built, there had been little building south of Whitefoot Lane - many local residents took weekend walks over the ’Seven Fields’.

The name ’Downham’ derives from Lord Downham who, as William Haynes Fisher was a former chairman of the LCC. Many of the road took their names from Tennyson’s ’Idylls of the King’. Other roads took their names from places in Devon.

By summer 1930, 6000 houses had been completed by builders Holland, Hannen & Cubbits. An additional section of just over 1000 houses was developed at Whitefoot lane in 1937 by builders Higgs & Hill and generally known as ’North Downham’. On completion, some 30 000 people lived on Downham’s newly built Estate. Generally people commuted to work elsewhere. A cheap "workman’s ticket" from Grove Park station became available from November 1928.

Shopping facilities came to the the New Bromley Road in 1926, followed by centres at Grove Park, Burnt Ash Lane and one adjacent to the Downham Tavern. The Downham Tavern was the only public house built on the area owned by the LCC. It was for some years considered the world’s largest pub, containing a Dance Hall, Beer Garden, two Saloon Bars, a Public Lounge, a Lunchroom where service was by waiter only.

When Downham was first built, it was regarded as a showpiece. A Lewisham official guide from the 1930s described Downham as a ’Garden City’.

By 1960, the first LCC houses were being put up for sale as local policy changed. The area was split between two London boroughs in 1965 - the northern majority became part of Lewisham. Around Southover, the London Boroough of Bromley took over.




Main source: https://www.downhamonline.org.uk/
Further citations and sources


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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCALITY


   
Added: 4 May 2021 19:45 GMT   

V1 Attack
Elmscott Road, Bromley was the site of a V1 incident in 1944

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LATEST LONDON-WIDE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT

Comment
Wendy    
Added: 22 Mar 2024 15:33 GMT   

Polygon Buildings
Following the demolition of the Polygon, and prior to the construction of Oakshott Court in 1974, 4 tenement type blocks of flats were built on the site at Clarendon Sq/Phoenix Rd called Polygon Buildings. These were primarily for people working for the Midland Railway and subsequently British Rail. My family lived for 5 years in Block C in the 1950s. It seems that very few photos exist of these buildings.

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Steve   
Added: 19 Mar 2024 08:42 GMT   

Road construction and houses completed
New Charleville Circus road layout shown on Stanford’s Library Map Of London And Its Suburbs 1879 with access via West Hill only.

Plans showing street numbering were recorded in 1888 so we can concluded the houses in Charleville Circus were built by this date.

Source: Charleville Circus, Sydenham, London

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Comment
Steve   
Added: 19 Mar 2024 08:04 GMT   

Charleville Circus, Sydenham: One Place Study (OPS)
One Place Study’s (OPS) are a recent innovation to research and record historical facts/events/people focused on a single place �’ building, street, town etc.

I have created an open access OPS of Charleville Circus on WikiTree that has over a million members across the globe working on a single family tree for everyone to enjoy, for free, forever.

Source: Charleville Circus, Sydenham, London

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Comment
Charles   
Added: 8 Mar 2024 20:45 GMT   

My House
I want to know who lived in my house in the 1860’s.

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NH   
Added: 7 Mar 2024 11:41 GMT   

Telephone House
Donald Hunter House, formerly Telephone House, was the BT Offices closed in 2000

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Comment
Paul Cox   
Added: 5 Mar 2024 22:18 GMT   

War damage reinstatement plans of No’s 11 & 13 Aldine Street
Whilst clearing my elderly Mothers house of general detritus, I’ve come across original plans (one on acetate) of No’s 11 & 13 Aldine Street. Might they be of interest or should I just dispose of them? There are 4 copies seemingly from the one single acetate example. Seems a shame to just junk them as the level of detail is exquisite. No worries if of no interest, but thought I’d put it out there.

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Comment
Diana   
Added: 28 Feb 2024 13:52 GMT   

New Inn Yard, E1
My great grandparents x 6 lived in New Inn Yard. On this date, their son was baptised in nearby St Leonard’s Church, Shoreditch

Source: BDM London, Cripplegate and Shoreditch registers written by church clerk.

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Comment
Vic Stanley   
Added: 24 Feb 2024 17:38 GMT   

Postcose
The postcode is SE15, NOT SE1

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NEARBY LOCATIONS OF NOTE
Downham The Downham Estate dates from the late 1920s.
Downham Tavern The Downham Tavern was for some years the world’s largest pub.

NEARBY STREETS
Ambleside, BR1 Ambleside is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Arcus Road, BR1 Arcus Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Ashgrove Road, BR1 Ashgrove Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Ballamore Road, BR1 Ballamore Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Bankfoot Road, BR1 Bankfoot Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Beachborough Road, BR1 Beachborough Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Bedivere Road, BR1 Bedivere Road is one of the Arthurian-named roads of Downham (Downham)
Beechmont Close, BR1 Beechmont Close is a cul-de-sac off Kendale Road (Downham)
Belgravia Gardens, BR1 Belgravia Gardens is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Bideford Road, BR1 Bideford Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Bonville Road, BR1 Bonville Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Boyland Road, BR1 Boyland Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Brockman Rise, BR1 Brockman Rise is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Bromley Hill, BR1 Bromley Hill is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Bromley Road, BR1 Bromley Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Brook Lane, BR1 Brook Lane is the southernmost road in the Downham Estate, lying on the border of Plaistow/Sunridge Park (Downham)
Butts Road, BR1 Butts Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Calmont Road, BR1 Calmont Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Camlan Road, BR1 Camlan Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Capstone Road, BR1 Capstone Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Chingley Close, BR1 Chingley Close is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Churchdown, BR1 Churchdown is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Cinderford Way, BR1 Cinderford Way runs between Churchdown and Downham Way (Downham)
Cotton Hill, BR1 Cotton Hill is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Cranmore Road, BR1 Cranmore Road runs south from Whitefoot Lane (Downham)
Cress Mews, BR1 Cress Mews is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Detling Road, BR1 Detling Road, like the remainder of the Downham Estate, dates from the late 1920s (Downham)
Downderry Road, BR1 Downderry Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Downham Lane, BR1 Downham Lane is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Downham Way, BR1 Downham Way snakes around the Downham Estate (Downham)
Durham Avenue, BR1 Durham Avenue is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Durham Hill, BR1 Durham Hill takes its name from on old road called Durham Hill Lane which disappeared after the Downham Estate was built (Downham)
Elmscott Road, BR1 Elmscott Road connects Rangefield Road and Goudhurst Road (Downham)
Farmfield Road, BR1 Farmfield Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Fieldside Road, BR1 Fieldside Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Flimwell Close, BR1 Flimwell Close is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Galahad Road, BR1 Galahad Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Gareth Grove, BR1 Gareth Grove is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Geraint Road, BR1 Geraint Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Gittens Close, BR1 Gittens Close is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Glenbow Road, BR1 Glenbow Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Goudhurst Road, BR1 Goudhurst Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Haddington Road, BR1 Haddington Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Headcorn Road, BR1 Headcorn Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Hildenborough Gardens, BR1 Hildenborough Gardens is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Ilfracombe Road, BR1 Ilfracombe Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Ivorydown, BR1 Ivorydown is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Jennifer Road, BR1 Jennifer Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Keedonwood Road, BR1 Keedonwood Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Knights Court, BR1 Knights Court is retirement housing consisting of 47 flats
Knights Court, BR1 Knights Court is a newer road of the Downham area (Downham)
Ladbrook Close, BR1 Ladbrook Close is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Lamerock Road, BR1 Lamerock Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Langthorne Court , BR1 Langthorne Court seems to be a recent road (Downham)
Lentmead Road, BR1 Lentmead Road connects Lincombe Road with Shaw Road (Downham)
Lincombe Road, BR1 Lincombe Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Medhurst Drive, BR1 Medhurst Drive replaced a council depot on an unknown date (Downham)
Merlin Gardens, BR1 Merlin Gardens is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Merlinmead, BR1 Merlinmead lies between Capstone Road and Moorside Road (Downham)
Moorside Road, BR1 Moorside Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Northover Centre, BR1 Northover Centre is a small side road (Downham)
Northover, BR1 Northover is a road in the SE6 postcode area (Downham)
Northover, BR1 Northover is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Nubia Way, BR1 Nubia Way is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Oakridge Lane, BR1 Oakridge Lane is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Oakridge Road, BR1 Oakridge Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Oakshade Road, BR1 Oakshade Road was a new road in the 1930s, connecting west from the Downham Estate (Downham)
Old Bromley Road, BR1 Old Bromley Road was an historic section of Bromley Road, bypassed by the newer road’s straightening (Downham)
Oldstead Road, BR1 Oldstead Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Pendragon Road, BR1 Pendragon Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Pontefract Road, BR1 Pontefract Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Rangefield Road, BR1 Rangefield Road is so-named because of a late nineteenth century rifle range near Holloway Farm (Downham)
Ravenscar Road, BR1 Ravenscar Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Reigate Road, BR1 Reigate Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Riverbank Road, BR1 Riverbank Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Roundtable Road, BR1 Roundtable Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Sandpit Road, BR1 Sandpit Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Shaw Road, BR1 Shaw Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Shroffold Road, BR1 Shroffold Road takes its name from the former Shroffolds Farm (Downham)
Sissinghurst Close, BR1 Sissinghurst Close is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Southover, BR1 Southover runs out of the Downham estate towards Burnt Ash Lane (Downham)
Southview Road, BR1 Southview Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Sudbury Crescent, BR1 Sudbury Crescent was developed as part of the Downham Estate (Downham)
Swiftsden Way, BR1 Swiftsden Way is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Tristram Road, BR1 Tristram Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Undershaw Road, BR1 Undershaw Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Valeswood Road, BR1 Valeswood Road crosses the boundary between the Downham Estate and its hinterland to the south (Downham)
Valley Road, BR1 Valley Road is a road in the BR1 postcode area (Downham)
Waters Road, BR1 Waters Road runs parallel with Whitefoot Lane, situated to its south (Downham)
Whitefoot Lane, BR1 Whitefoot Lane straddles the SE6 and BR1 postcodes (Downham)
Whitefoot Lane, SE6 Whitefoot Lane is a location in London (Downham)
Whitefoot Terrace, BR1 Whitefoot Terrace is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Winlaton Road, BR1 Winlaton Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Wittersham Road, BR1 Wittersham Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Woodbank Road, BR1 Woodbank Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)
Woodbury Gardens, BR1 Woodbury Gardens, off Baring Road, appears to date from the 1920s (Downham)
Woodbury Gardens, SE12 Woodbury Gardens is a location in London (Downham)
Wrenthorpe Road, BR1 Wrenthorpe Road is a road on the Downham Estate (Downham)

NEARBY PUBS
Downham Tavern The Downham Tavern was for some years the world’s largest pub.


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LOCAL PHOTOS
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Whitefoot Lane, BR1
TUM image id: 1466526348
Licence: CC BY 2.0
The Downham Wall: Alexandra Crescent Alexandra Crescent was built as a private (unadopted) road in late 1925 by the developer Albert Frampton. In a last-minute change of name, it was called after Queen Alexandra of Denmark who had just passed away in November of that year. As the Downham Estate was being built to the north in 1926, those who were just moving into the new Alexandra Crescent appointed Frampton to build a dividing wall. Frampton made a formal application to Bromley Council on 16 February 1926 to build the dividing wall. The council refused to take a decision but the seven-foot-high brick wall was built nonetheless. The ’class wall’ was the forerunner of the gated communities, barrier-walls and the use of private security which became more common decades later. The wall was removed in 1950.
Credit: Bromley Archives
TUM image id: 1600876518
Licence:

In the neighbourhood...

Click an image below for a better view...
Whitefoot Lane, BR1
Licence: CC BY 2.0


The Downham Tramway Change Pit, photographed on 17 November 1951
Old London postcard
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The Downham Wall: Alexandra Crescent Alexandra Crescent was built as a private (unadopted) road in late 1925 by the developer Albert Frampton. In a last-minute change of name, it was called after Queen Alexandra of Denmark who had just passed away in November of that year. As the Downham Estate was being built to the north in 1926, those who were just moving into the new Alexandra Crescent appointed Frampton to build a dividing wall. Frampton made a formal application to Bromley Council on 16 February 1926 to build the dividing wall. The council refused to take a decision but the seven-foot-high brick wall was built nonetheless. The ’class wall’ was the forerunner of the gated communities, barrier-walls and the use of private security which became more common decades later. The wall was removed in 1950.
Credit: Bromley Archives
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Exterior of Shroffolds Farm, c.1910
Credit: London Borough of Lewisham
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