Bellingham
Bellingham is an area in south east London, in the London Borough of Lewisham. Its neighbouring districts are Catford, Sydenham and Downham. The Ravensbourne River runs through the centre of Bellingham, also to the east and west it is bordered by railway lines running south from Catford.
The name Bellingham means ‘the water-meadow belonging to Beora’s people’, and was the real name of the medieval manor in the area. The name was preserved by the farm in the region, Bellingham Railway Station and the Bellingham Estate. Other historical names have already been preserved by the road names of the estate, which are linked with King Alfred, who was thought to have already been the lord of the manor of Lewisham, and were taken from the brands of mills, houses and fields in the certain area.
Bellingham was farmland before Bellingham Estate was built, between 1920 and 1923. London City Council built about 2600 homes and flats during this time period. Bellingham Estate was among the many large estates constructed by London City Council after the First World War to aid with slum clearance and reduce overcrowding. As there is lots of land available most of the dwellings built were two-story homes, and there was lots of green, open space.
Today, Bellingham is a localised city centre. Its traditional is Randlesdown Road, which has a supermarket, a gym, hairdressers and multiple restaurants and food outlets. It also has a sixth form college, and a church and a library. Bellingham boasts many famous former and present residents, like the singer/song-writer Kate Bush, the former Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan, and the footballer Ian Wright.
