Blackheath railway station

Blackheath railway station is Grade II-listed and is in the south-centre of Blackheath, a village in southeast London. In traditional terms the area immediately south-west of the station around Lee Terrace and Lee Park is part of Lee;[3] a status challenged by the station's naming, buildings such as the Blackheath Halls and the development of Blackheath Park to the south east. It is 8 miles 52 chains (13.9 km) measured from London Victoria.

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
2015–16	3.448 million[1]
– interchange	16,284[1]
2016–17	3.469 million[1]
– interchange	41,831[1]
2017–18	3.351 million[1]
– interchange	21,440[1]
2018–19	3.274 million[1]
– interchange	27,300[1]
2019–20	3.216 million[1]
– interchange	15,312[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
External links	Departures Layout Facilities Buses
WGS84	51.4658°N 0.0089°E / 51.4658; 0.0089
London transport portal

The tracks run through the village and are 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 branch off to the North Kent and Bexleyheath lines. The former passes through the one 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 the commuter trains were stabled when out of service.

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

The station cannot be relied upon as a way of reaching Blackheath during November's traditional free fireworks display, as it is normally closed 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 the roads are closed.

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