Blackheath railway station

Blackheath
Blackheath Location of Blackheath in Greater London
Location	Blackheath
Local authority	London Borough of Lewisham
Managed by	Southeastern
Station code	BKH
DfT category	C2
Number of platforms	2
Accessible	Yes
Fare zone	3
National Rail annual entry and exit
2012–13	2.929 million[1]
– interchange	17,616[1]
2013–14	3.056 million[1]
– interchange	16,231[1]
2014–15	3.226 million[1]
– interchange	17,584[1]
2015–16	3.448 million[1]
– interchange	16,284[1]
2016–17	3.469 million[1]
– interchange	41,831[1]
Key dates
30 July 1849	Opened
Listed status
Listed feature	Blackheath Railway Station
Listing grade	II
Entry number	1358479[2]
Added to list	12 March 1973
Other information
Lists of stations	DLR Underground National Rail Tramlink
External links	Departures Layout Facilities Buses
WGS84	51°27′57″N 0°00′32″E / 51.4658°N 0.0089°E / 51.4658; 0.0089Coordinates: 51°27′57″N 0°00′32″E / 51.4658°N 0.0089°E / 51.4658; 0.0089
London transport portal UK Railways portal

Blackheath railway station is Grade II-listed and situated in the heart of Blackheath village in southeast London. It is 8 miles 52 chains (13.9 km) measured from London Victoria.

The track passes through the village and is crossed by a road overbridge on which the station buildings stand.

View eastward, towards Dartford in 1962

Much of the original station, dating back at track level to 1849 and at ticket office level to 1879, remains. It was built using London bricks to a design by George Smith (who also built Greenwich station). At the "country" end of the platforms the lines separate to the North Kent and Bexleyheath Lines. The former passes through the mile-long (1.6 km) Blackheath Tunnel immediately after the junction; the latter through the shorter Kidbrooke Tunnel after a short cutting.

Blackheath's station has two platforms which are partially covered with a weather canopy. Glass and metal waiting shelters were erected on the London ends of both platforms in April 2018. The downside platform has a disused platform face (bay platform) facing towards London, used in earlier days by commuter trains terminating here. Unusually, the track in the bay remains in situ, although it is now heavily overgrown and otherwise obstructed. The area to the north (now a car-park) was formerly an area of railway sidings, where commuter trains were stabled when not in use.

The bay platform used to come into its own when a circus was taking place on Blackheath. Many of the animals would arrive in train vans. The circus would then process through Blackheath Village on to the heath.

The station cannot be relied upon as a way of reaching Blackheath during November's traditional free firework show, as it normally closes early on that day for safety reasons. Conversely, in April, on the Sunday of the London Marathon, it is crucial in enabling athletes and their supporters to reach the starting line, as on that day bus services across the heath are usually suspended as roads are closed.

Blackheath Halls, run by Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and The Conservatoire are approximately 100m south of the station.

Services

The typical off-peak service from the station is:

• 4tph (trains per hour) to London Charing Cross
• 2tph to London Cannon Street
• 2tph to London Victoria via Denmark Hill
• 2tph to Barnehurst then returning to London Cannon Street via Greenwich
• 4tph to Dartford via Bexleyheath of which 2 continue to Gravesend
• 2tph to Dartford via Woolwich Arsenal

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Lewisham		Southeastern North Kent Line		Charlton
		Southeastern Bexleyheath Line & Victoria-Dartford Line		Kidbrooke

Facilities

There is an adjacent car park to the north of the station (with 205 spaces) and another nearby off Blackheath Grove. Both are managed by the local authority. Charges apply 365 days a year at all times.

Connections

London Buses routes 54, 89, 108 and 202 and night route N89 serve the station.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blackheath railway station.