| Forest Hill | |
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Forest Hill
Forest Hill shown within Greater London |
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| OS grid reference | TQ354736 |
|---|---|
| London borough | Lewisham |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | London |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | SE23 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | Lewisham West and Penge |
| London Assembly | Greenwich and Lewisham |
| List of places: UK • England • London | |
Forest Hill is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It situated between Dulwich and Sydenham. The area has enjoyed extensive investment since plans to extend the East London Line to Forest Hill were unveiled in 2004.
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Like many London suburbs, Forest Hill was only sparsely populated until the mid-19th century. The name Forest Hill came from 'the forest with a big hill', which was coined by a developer in the 1790s, and referred to the remaining area of Forest on Sydenham Hill which was originally part of the Great North Wood.
A canal, the Croydon Canal, was constructed through the area in 1809 but the large number of locks (28) meant it was not a commercial success, and it was bought by the London & Croydon Railway Company who constructed their railway along the same route, opening it in 1839. The retaining wall of the footpath opposite the station outside the pub is about the only physical evidence of the canal which still exists.
When the Crystal Palace was moved from Hyde Park to Sydenham, large homes were built on the western end of Forest Hill.
In 1884, what would become London's oldest swimming pool was constructed on Dartmouth Road.
The tea merchant Frederick Horniman built a museum to house his impressive collection of natural history artifacts. He donated the building and its gardens to the public in 1901 and this became the Horniman Museum.
As its population grew, two large secondary schools were built in the area - Forest Hill Boys and Sydenham Girls on the brink of Forest Hill.
Now in the 21st century, Forest Hill has a large residential population and the area is becoming increasingly desirable as a peaceful, leafy suburb with good transport links into the centre of town, and slightly lower-than-average property prices.
Forest Hill is home to the celebrated Horniman Museum. Despite a leaning toward anthropological and cultural collections, the museum is also home to a newly opened (July 2006) aquarium and one of the most varied collections of taxidermy in the northern hemisphere. It also houses one of the finest collection of musical instruments in the British Isles. Contained within its accompanying gardens is an animal enclosure, flower gardens, and a Grade II listed early 20th century greenhouse. Views from the gardens stretch out over central and north London.
The Hob Public House, opposite Forest Hill station, is a live music and comedy venue. Home to the E.D. Comedy Club, it has attracted acts such as Bill Bailey, Phil Jupitus, Daniel Kitson and Mark Lamarr. The Dartmouth Arms was named in 2007 by The Times newspaper as "one of London's very finest gastropubs".
Forest Hill Swimming Baths were closed in 2005 due to health and safety concerns surrounding its roof and plumbing. An intrusive survey in October 2006 suggested that a full refurbishment would cost £5.5 million. Lewisham Council green-lit the renovation, pledging to fully renovate whilst retaining the building's Victorian character and original features. Latest proposals no longer honour this pledge and invite suggestions incorporating the site with the adjacent Louise House, one-time industrial school and children's home, into a completely redeveloped leisure centre. Following a successful and widely supported campaign from local group 'Save The Face Of Forest Hill', Louise House was designated a Grade II listed building by English Heritage,[1] and this will have to be allowed for in any plans for redevelopment. Mayor of Lewisham Steve Bullock continues to support the project.
Forest Hill Library was built in 1901 to an Arts and Crafts design by local architect Alexander Hennell.[2] It is one of over 500 Grade II listed buildings in Lewisham Borough.[3][4] It was refurbished in 2008.[5]
With a range of architectural styles spanning the late 19th and 20th centuries, Forest Hill was described by Sir Norman Foster as "a delightful pocket of South London". Of particular note are The Capitol Cinema, the Horniman Museum, and classic art deco mansion blocks Forest Croft and Taymount Grange.
Forest Hill railway station is located on the South Circular Road (A205), and is served by frequent trains to London Bridge, Sydenham, Croydon, Shoreditch and Highbury and Islington. Forest Hill is also served by a number of bus routes these being: 122, 176, 185, 197, 356 and the P4.
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