Visit Blackheath, London Places

Welcome to Visit Blackheath, London Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Blackheath, London

  

Blackheath, London Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Blackheath, London

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Blackheath, London history

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Etymology

Blackheath was recorded in 1166 as Blachehedfeld which means “dark, or black heath field” The name is from Old English spoken words ‘blæc’ and ‘hǣth’ The name gained independent official boundaries by the founding of an Anglican parish in 1854.

Archaeology

A key Celtic trackway (becoming a Roman road and later Watling Street) scaled the rise that is shared with Greenwich Park and a peak 1 mile (1.6 km) east-by-southeast, Shooters Hill. In the west this traversed the mouth of Deptford Creek (the River Ravensbourne) (a corruption or throwback to earlier pronunciation of deep ford) Other finds can be linked to passing trade connected with royal palaces.

Royal setting

The Pagoda is a notably exquisite home, built in 1760 by Sir William Chambers in the style of a traditional Chinese pagoda. It was later leased to the Prince Regent, principally used as a summer home by Caroline of Brunswick. Ranger’s House was the Ranger of Greenwich Park, a royal appointment.

Meeting point

Blackheath was a rallying point for Wat Tyler’s Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 and for Jack Cade’s Kentish rebellion in 1450. Cornish rebels were defeated at the foot of the west slope in the Battle of Deptford Bridge. In 1400 Henry IV of England met with Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos who toured western royalty to seek support.

Mineral extraction

The Vanbrugh Pits, known locally as the Dips, are on the north-east of the heath. A former gravel workings site, it has long been reclaimed by nature.

Vanbrugh Park

Vanbrugh Park, a north-east projection of Blackheath with its own church, is named after Sir John Vanbruggh, architect of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. The house which was originally built around 1720 remains, remodelled slightly, Vanbuggh Castle. In his estate he had ‘Mince Pie House’ built for his family, which survived until 1911.

Blackheath Park

Blackheath Park occupies almost all of former 0.4-square-mile (1.0 km) Wricklemarsh Manor. Built up in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it contains large and refined Georgian and Victorian houses.

Other churches

The Church of the Ascension was founded by Susannah Graham late in the 17th century. Its rebuilding was arranged about 1750 by her descendant, the 1st Earl of Dartmouth. Further rebuilding took place in the 1830s leaving parts of the east end from the earlier rebuild.

Ownership and management of the heath

In 1871 the management of the heath passed by statute to the Metropolitan Board of Works. It is held in trust for public benefit under the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1886. It passed to the London County Council in 1889, then to the Greater London Council, then in 1986 to Greenwich and Lewisham.

Blackheath, London geography / climate

Blackheath is one of the largest areas of common land in Greater London. Highlights include the Long Pond (also known as Folly Pond), close to the main entrance of Greenwich Park. Extensive mineral extraction in the 18th and early 19th centuries left large pits in many parts.

You can visit Blackheath, London places with Walkfo Blackheath, London to hear history at Blackheath, London’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Blackheath, London has 273 places to visit in our interactive Blackheath, London map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Blackheath, London, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Blackheath, London places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Blackheath, London & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 273 audio facts unique to Blackheath, London places in an interactive Blackheath, London map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Blackheath, London Places Map
273 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

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Blackheath, London historic spots	Blackheath, London tourist destinations	Blackheath, London plaques	Blackheath, London geographic features
Walkfo Blackheath, London tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Blackheath, London

  

Best Blackheath, London places to visit

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Blackheath, London has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Blackheath, London’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Blackheath, London’s information audio spots:

Deptford Park Deptford Park is a public park in Deptford south-east London . It is owned by London Borough of Lewisham and owned by the London boroughs .

Evelyn (ward) Evelyn is an electoral ward in the northernmost part of the London Borough of Lewisham . It covers the northern part of Deptford on the south bank of the River Thames . Evelyn borders wards from three other London Boroughs, Greenwich West, Surrey Docks and Southwark .

Aragon Tower Aragon Tower on the Pepys Estate in Deptford, is one of London’s tallest privately owned residential towers at 92 metres with 29 floors . It contains 158 residential apartments ranging from 2 to 3 bedrooms .

Gilbert’s Pit Gilbert’s Pit is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Charlton . It was notified in 1985 and was formerly known as Charlton Sand Pit . It adjoins Maryon Park and is close to Maryon Wilson Park .

Charlton cemetery Charlton cemetery is a cemetery, opened in 1855, covering 15 acres of ground in Charlton, south-east London . Situated in Cemetery Lane to the east of Charlton Park, features two 19th-century chapels and numerous military graves .

Victoria House, Greenwich Victoria House, Greenwich on Shooter’s Hill in Greenwich is the former officers mess’ and living quarters for the Royal Army Medical Corps . It is a “Building of Local Architectural or Historic Interest”

Greenwich Cemetery Greenwich Cemetery is a cemetery in the Royal Borough of Greenwich in southeast London . It is situated on the southwestern slopes of Shooter’s Hill, on the western side of the A205 South Circular, Well Hall Road .

Mycenae House Mycenae House is a community centre housed in a former convent building adjacent to the Georgian villa, Woodlands House, in Greenwich, London .

Severndroog Castle Severndroog Castle is a folly designed by architect Richard Jupp . The first stone was laid on 2 April 1784, with the first stone laid in 1784 .

Ladywell Fields Ladywell Fields is a public park in the London Borough of Lewisham created from three historic fields . It is located near Ladywell railway station at the northern end of the park, and Catford Bridge at the southern end .

Visit Blackheath, London plaques