Abbey Wood

Wood, Forest in Essex

England

Abbey Wood

Old Boundary Marker on Kilmartin Way, Hornchurch Air Ministry Boundary Marker against the garden fence of No.87 Wood Lane or the northwest side of the junction with Kilmartin Way, Hornchurch. The Air Ministry existed from 1918 to 1964. RAF Hornchurch closed in 1962.

Milestone Society National ID: EX_AMHORN01em — Old Boundary Marker on Kilmartin Way, Hornchurch Credit: M Bardell

Abbey Wood is a suburban area located in the London Borough of Bexley, in the county of Greater London, England. Despite its name, it is not part of the county of Essex. It is situated approximately 11 miles east of Charing Cross and is adjacent to the southeastern boundary of the Thamesmead area.

Abbey Wood is primarily a residential area, characterized by a mix of housing styles including post-war council estates, modern developments, and some Victorian terraced houses. The area is known for its green spaces, with Bostall Woods being a prominent feature. This ancient woodland covers a considerable area and provides a haven for wildlife, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy leisurely walks and outdoor activities.

The area benefits from excellent transport links, making it a popular choice for commuters. Abbey Wood railway station, which recently underwent significant redevelopment as part of the Crossrail project, provides regular services into central London, with journey times to key destinations such as Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street reduced significantly. In addition, there are several bus routes serving the area, connecting it to neighboring towns and districts.

Abbey Wood offers a range of amenities to cater to the needs of its residents. There are several local shops, supermarkets, and restaurants, providing convenience and choice for everyday essentials. The area also boasts a leisure center, library, and a variety of community facilities, contributing to the overall quality of life for its residents.

Overall, Abbey Wood is a suburban area with a strong sense of community, offering a peaceful and green environment within easy reach of central London.

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Abbey Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.531778/0.21399342 or Grid Reference TQ5383. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old Boundary Marker on Kilmartin Way, Hornchurch

Air Ministry Boundary Marker against the garden fence of No.87 Wood Lane or the northwest side of the junction with Kilmartin Way, Hornchurch. The Air Ministry existed from 1918 to 1964. RAF Hornchurch closed in 1962. Milestone Society National ID: EX_AMHORN01em

M Bardell

Post Office

The Post Office in Cherry Tree lane Rainham

Glyn Baker

The London Loop

A new footpath, part of the London Loop to the south of the Hornchurch Country Park. Picture was taken looking north.

Glyn Baker

The Road to Hell?

A pub on South End Road serving the residents of the "Airfield Estate". The road to hell was paved with the good intent of Flying Officer Raimund Sanders-Draper an American airman posted to RAF Hornchurch. His exploits were the subject of a Musical Play produced at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch in 2003. Sanders-Draper was killed in 1943 during a crash landing, he stayed with his stricken aircraft so he could avoid crashing into the local school, he had sufficient height to bail out but chose to save the children. The school in Suttons Lane was renamed Sanders-Draper in his honour.

Glyn Baker

Swords into Ploughshares

One of the few parts of the old RAF Hornchurch that have survived. The concrete aircraft dispersal is surrounded with an air raid shelter in the blast protection mound, is now used as a car park for the country park. RAF Hornchurch opened in 1917 as Suttons Farm but closed at the end of WW1. A new station was opened in 1928. Spitfires from Hornchurch took part in the infamous Battle of Barking Creek in late 1939 when two Hurricanes from RAF North Weald were shot down, one of the pilots was killed Link

. Hornchurch was a one of the most important of 11 Group's Sector stations during the Battle of Britain. It remained an RAF fighter station until spring of 1945. From 1952-62 it was the Aircrew selection centre it finally closed in 1963. Much of the airfield was built over but there are some relics in the country park. You can see some unusual airfield defences at TQ5384 : Tett Turrets. To go to the next field in an alphabetical tour of Essex WW2 airfields click on TL5543 : RAF Little Walden. Much information was gleaned from Graham Smith’s book “Essex Airfields In The Second World Link

Glyn Baker

Jewish Cemetery Rainham

The cemetery is located on Upminster Rd North. See inside at TQ5482 : "House of the Living"

Glyn Baker

Berwick Pond

Yet another pleasant patch of water with private fishing rights, unsurprisingly on Berwick Pond Lane! Picture was taken from the road that divides the pond looking east.

Glyn Baker

For The Brylcreem Boys

This memorial is in the grounds of a primary school named after the chief designer of the Spitfire, R.J Mitchell. It reads "Site of RAF Hornchurch sector airfield for No 11 Group. To all aircrew & ground personnel who served here 1928-1962". Some of the famous names who served here include Douglas Bader, Bob Stanford Tuck and A.G "Sailor" Malan.

Glyn Baker

Broadband Available Here!

The TV and communications distribution (Voice/Data/TV) boxes are at the junction of Nelson and Trafalgar roads. The housing in the background is typical of Parker-Morris standard ex-council houses from the 1950’s that can be found all over the country.

Glyn Baker

Malan Square South Hornchurch

Low rise social housing built around a green, a large portion of which is now a car park.

Glyn Baker

St George's Hospital

St George's is now part of Havering Hospitals NHS Trust which was established in 1993. The North East London Strategic Health Authority is considering closing the hospital. The property developers must be drooling at the prospect of a brown-field site surrounded on two sides by countryside!

Glyn Baker

Recycling Centre, Gerpins Lane, Upminster

What we used to call the 'council tip' is now a 'Re-use & Recycling Centre' run by private contractors for Havering Council

John Winfield

Fishing Lakes, Warwick Lane, Rainham

This is a private fishing lake owned by Thurrock Angling Club. Like most lakes in this area, this was a gravel pit.

John Winfield

Ingrebourne Valley Green Way, Hornchurch, Essex

Part of the Hornchurch Country Park, the Ingrebourne Valley Green Way forms part of the London Loop urban footpath.

John Winfield

"Field Blockade", Berwick Pond Road, Hornchurch

A familiar sight around this area, is old heavy farm equipment blockading access to fields from the 'travelling' community.

John Winfield

"Destruction & Renovation", Little Gerpins Lane, Upminster

The familiar sight on the urban fringe of a 'burnt' out wrecked car. Ironically the car is dumped in front of a sign for the 'Little Gerpins Lane Renovation Project' - which I presume refers to the land and not the car!

John Winfield