Located in the London Borough of Bromley and 12 miles South-East from Central London, Chislehurst is popular with commuters and their families due to it’s rather lovely village feel and selection of high-end independent shops, bars and restaurants.
So what do I need to know about Chislehurst?
The name “Chislehurst” is derived from the Saxon words cisel, “gravel”, and hyrst, meaning “wooded hill”. Largely a residential area now, a well-known attraction is the famous Chislehurst Caves. Originally used to mine flint and chalk, they were put to good use during World War II, when they were used nightly as an air-raid shelter. The caves have also been used as a cult venue for live music, with Jimi Hendrix, the Who, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie , Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin all playing there.
Chislehurst is also one of the starting points for the Green Chain Walk, linking to places such as Crystal Palace, Erith, the Thames Barrier and Thamesmead.
Getting about
Located in Zone 5 for a London Travel Card, Chislehurst is close to the junctions of the M25 and M20. There are trains from Chislehurst station to Cannon Street that take 29 minutes, while services to London Bridge take 21 minutes. It takes 29 minutes to Charing Cross, 24 minutes to Waterloo and 41 minutes to Blackfriars. Services take a few minutes less from nearby Elmstead Woods station, which is another option for travel from the area.
Bus numbers 61, 160, 161, 162, 269, 273 serve the local area, with services to places including Bromley, Catford, Greenwich, Bexleyheath, Lewisham and Chelsfield.
Local amenities
If eating and drinking out is your thing, then Chislehurst is a safe bet to find somewhere lovely, with some excellent cosy pubs serving great food. One of the best in the area is Ramblers Rest, which has been serving traditional ales since the 17th century, and often has live music on a weekend. For well-regarded Italian food, head to Due Amici. Cote Brasserie and The Broadwick are also popular with locals and visitors alike.
Chislehurst’s library is a big part of the local community, and Chislehurst Golf Course is set in 70 acres of beautiful parkland for those who like getting their 18 holes in! For day-to-day shopping, Chislehurst has a large Sainsbury’s with decent-sized car park, as well as easy access to Waitrose and M&S supermarkets. There is a wide variety of both chain and independent coffee shops to enjoy too.
Schools
Chislehurst is always popular with families looking to relocate from inner-London, as there is an excellent mix of highly-regarded independent and state schools. Edgebury Primary School Chislehurst School for Girls, and Bullers Wood School for Girls (Secondary) are well-thought of, with Bullers Wood School for Boys currently under construction and due for completion imminently. Coopers Technology College has academy status, and there are a number of independent schools in Chislehurst, too.
