Bellingham, London facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bellingham
St Dunstan's Church, Bellingham
Bellingham
Population	14,775 (2011 Census. Ward)
OS grid reference	TQ375715
London borough	Lewisham
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	SE6
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
EU Parliament	London
UK Parliament	Lewisham West and Penge
London Assembly	Greenwich and Lewisham
List of places UK England London 51°25′52″N 0°01′28″W / 51.4311°N 0.0245°W / 51.4311; -0.0245

Bellingham (pronounced BEL-ing-əm) is a friendly area in south-east London, England. It's part of the London Borough of Lewisham. You can find it south of Catford, east of Sydenham, and north of Beckenham. It's also part of the Catford postal district (SE6).

A Look at Bellingham's Past

According to historian Nick Barratt, Bellingham was home to a Saxon community a very long time ago. In old documents from the 10th century, the area was called Beringaham. By 1198, the name changed to start with 'Bel' because of Norman influence.

You might notice some street names in Bellingham that honor the famous Saxon king, Alfred the Great. These include King Alfred Avenue, Elfrida Crescent, and Arnulf Street.

How Bellingham Grew

For many centuries, Bellingham was mostly farmland. But between 1919 and 1923, the London County Council built a special neighborhood here. It was called a "cottage estate" and was finished before World War II.

This estate is surrounded by railway lines on its east and west sides. These lines run south from Catford. To the south, Southend Lane (a main road) forms a border. The River Ravensbourne also flows through Bellingham. Sometimes it's underground or part of a man-made section. The Greenwich Prime Meridian, an imaginary line that divides the Earth, passes just east of Bellingham.

Local Shops and Fun Places

Randlesdown Road is like a mini 'High Street' for Bellingham. It has many useful shops and services for local people. You can find a supermarket, hair salons, a dry cleaner, and a news agent. There are also places to grab a quick meal, like a fish and chip shop.

The Fellowship pub and cinema is a popular spot. You can also find a gym on the Bellingham playing fields. Bellingham is known for being a very diverse area, with people from many different backgrounds living there.

At the very center of the estate, you'll find Bellingham Green. This is a public park shaped like a hexagon, a six-sided figure. It's a great place to relax outdoors.

Getting Around Bellingham

Bellingham railway station makes it easy to travel from the area. Trains go to Kentish Town and Sevenoaks. You can also get to London Blackfriars during off-peak hours.

Many Transport for London buses serve Bellingham too. These buses connect the area to many other parts of London. You can reach places like Beckenham, Bromley, Catford, Greenwich, Lewisham, and Woolwich.

Schools in Bellingham

For younger children, there are several pre-schools and nurseries. These include Kindergarten Forest Hill on Bellingham Green and Umbrella House Day Nursery.

Primary schools in Bellingham include Athelney Primary School, St Augustines, and Elfrida Primary School.

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