Forum › Forums › General Beckenham Discussions › Hello from another East Dulwich mover!
Loads happening in SE20 at the moment. The Alexandra (opposite Alexandra Nurseries and the conservation area in Penge) is supposed to re-open at the end of January as a bistro pub though I think the amount of work left to do will probably see a delay to that. It’ll have a restaurant area, partly enclosed under the railway arch and sell high end craft beers, etc in the main bar area. The second Antic venue (Liman and Turner) will probably be some way off but will be a bar/cafe on the ground floor and restaurant on the first floor. There’s also the Douglas Fir, Gipsy Hill Brewery’s only bar on Anerley Road and the Southey Brewery in Penge has a taproom open Fridays and Saturdays which is really nice. The Goldsmiths is good (similar to EDT) and if you can make it all the way to Penge West, the Bridge House has a great vibe.
Sadly, I wouldn’t hold your breath for any trendy new bars in Beckenham. The council has effectively declared that the area has enough alcohol licenses already and will only allow new ones to be given to new bars opening on existing licensed premises. I have heard this both from a council official and a brewery manager who wanted to open a bar in BR3.
Hello.
Thanks Glojo. Good to know about the Goldsmith Arms. We moved to Beckenham a few years ago from Balham and have been looking for a good local with a bit of a ‘London’ feel. Tried the Chancery and it is nice but a bit of a walk from our end of town..
There was also a pub supposed to be opening opposite Alexandra Nurseries- does anybody know if that is happening?
Finally thanks to the team behind the Forum. Really nice to have this launched. I have been spreading the word!
Hi,
I’m another East Dulwich mover, albeit 4 years ago! Sorry to hear about your neighbours Andycam.
I live between Beckenham and Penge, near to Kent House.
Penge has a trendy local on Croydon Rd – the Goldsmith Arms. The pub is owned by Antic London who own the EDF so it seems Penge is on their radar. They’re also planning to open a cafe/bar on Penge High Street – Liman & Turner. The Goldsmith Arms is definitely worth a trip. Same vibe as the EDF and often very busy of an evening. They serve food too.
Jo
Thanks guys for being very supportive. I was actually born in east dulwich, moved around for a while when I flew the nest, then returned at a later stage. I can safely say I have seen it change over the years and become the glamorous beast it is now. lol wasn’t such a nice place when I was a child, with lots of derelict houses and waste land. Amazing how it’s grown.
For me Beckenham is still on the up, like forest hill and crystal palace. But it does benefit from the beautiful Kelsey park. I must admit I had a huge soft spot for Peckham rye. I certainly would like to see a more hip pub arrive in the area – like an EDT, Cherry tree or great exhibition. As it stands there is nothing like that here as of yet and I honestly miss a trendy local. I also would like to see more non chain restaurants appear on the high street – then it truly would have arrived.
There are certainly pros and cons to the place. The Neighbour from hell has certainly been a television worthy nightmare, with a constant police presence and court appearances. It truly has been a pain. Maybe I’ll consider staying, but only if I was nearer Kelsey park itself and the main town.
Thanks so much for your comments.
We’re opposite Kelsey Park by the Chinese Roundabout which leads down in the other direction to Croydon Road we love it too – but lucked out with gorgeous neighbours and a really friendly area.
Sorry your experience isn’t good because of neighbours, AndyCam but maybe consider another area of Beckenham too?
I was in SE22 for 15 years and loved it throughout for the friendly feel of the area although it wasn’t the glamorous place it is now when I first moved there! I really feel the same is happening to the already nicer Beckenham with the new shops/restaurants/area renovation and what was reasonable house prices in Dulwich went skyrocketing over the years so I hope some increases will happen here for house owners too
Plus although it’s further out here the transport links are very good – 7 stations offering access to areas such as Blackfriars, Charing Cross and Victoria (about 20 mins!) from a central London point of view. And the green areas are just lovely.
I hope it gets better with your neighbours and you decide to stay
Yeah it’s just been rather unlucky for us. Beckenham certainly has its differences than east dulwich, the accent, the early closing of pubs, chains of restaurants spring to mind. But it certainly feels safe – but alas I feel I’m a city boy through and through and rather miss the variety. Which side of beckenham do you live? I’m just off Croydon road. Does this make a difference too? Like being in the wrong part of east dulwich. Lol
What a shame Andycam, sorry to hear that.
Having to move too because of a neighbour, things must be really bad!!
We’ve been really lucky with our neighbours but you prob don’t want to hear about that.
Well we hope you enjoy the rest of your time living in Beckenham and welcome to the forum.
Yup the area changed a lot for us too – I first bought a starter 1 bedroom flat (no garden) within a house on Lordship Lane in 1992 for £42k – it just currently listed on the market 6 months ago for almost half a million!!
The area has gentrified from what it was and changed loads positively in the last 5 years but I was lucky enough to get a house in 1997 and always loved the family feel of the area and lovely neighbours – still do love the area, but it has just become ridiculously overpriced and over inhabited now. The age thing may be a factor for us too!
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