Join members for a drink and or lunch at the Princess of Wales, Blackheath. We would be delighted to see you.
350 Years of the Royal Observatory Greenwich presented by Mike Meynell, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
In 1675, King Charles II founded the Royal Observatory Greenwich to “rectify the tables of the motions of the heavens” and improve navigation at sea. Three and a half centuries later, the Observatory remains one of the world’s most recognisable sites in astronomy and timekeeping. This talk explores its 350-year story – from Flamsteed’s early star catalogues to Harrison’s quest for longitude, Airy’s Meridian, and the modern scientific legacy that still defines Greenwich as the home of time and space.
Mike Meynell is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Honorary Member of the Flamsteed Astronomy Society, which is based at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Over more than 15 years with the society, he has served as Vice-Chair and now coordinates all of its observing events, from solar viewing at the Royal Observatory Greenwich to night-time stargazing on Blackheath. A dedicated observer and communicator, Mike enjoys sharing both the practical and historical sides of astronomy.
Members will be sent the link to join the meeting.
Lee New Town, Development and Re-development, presented by Paul Wright
The area of Lee currently bounded by Boone, Lee Church and Fludyer Streets was developed in the 1820s on land sold by the Lee Place estate. It was known as Lee New Town and consisted mostly of densely packed working class housing. The area had a colourful history for over 100 years. In the 1950s it underwent extensive redevelopment as part of Lewisham's first postwar slum clearance project. In a richly illustrated talk Paul Wright will tell the story of this area drawing on contemporary records and many previously unseen photographs taken by the Rector of St Margaret's at the time - a keen photographer and chronicler of the profound changes to this part of the borough.
Members will be sent the link to join the meeting
The Upper Kid Brook, Part 2, with Jonathan Causer, date to be confirmed.
Join members for a stimulating walk following the Upper Kid Brook, Part 2. Part 1 began at Morden College and finished at Lewisham. We will begin Part 2 at Blackheath Station, talk and follow the Kid Brook by train as far as Lewisham and then continue on foot to Deptford Creek. We will enjoy Brookmill Park and numerous interesting anecdotes and history along the way. A coffee stop will be found. It is a linear walk, so catching a bus back to Blackheath or the DLR might be desired!
Please book your place via Eventbrite using the following link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/following-the-upper-kid-brook-part-2-tickets-1975301555125?aff=oddtdtcreator
Meet at 10 o’clock in the ticket hall of Blackheath Station.
Fashion, Fury and Feminism – Women’s Fight for Change
Tessa Boase who is a journalist and the author of Etta Lemon, will present this fascinating zoom.
Blackheath resident, Margaretta Lemon, felt passionately about the cruel Victorian fashion for plumage, wings and whole dead birds on ladies’ hats. She could often be heard on a Sunday lecturing local ladies on their ‘murderous millinery’ as they made their way to All Saints church. While in her twenties she helped found the RSPB, and was soon running the Society and pushing for anti plumage legislation. She did not, however, believe in Votes for Women – and Mrs Pankhurst's appetite for plumed hats enraged her further still.
Etta Lemon is a heroine for our times. Etta’s long battle against “murderous millinery” triumphed with the Plumage Act of 1921 and the establishment of the RSPB.
Members will be sent the link to join the meeting.
From lazy village to levelling-up: 200 years of change in central Lewisham presented by local historian Stuart Hallifax.
More details to follow.
Join other members at the Princess of Wales for a convivial time.
12.00 Meantime Old Timers vintage car show in Montpelier Vale
2.00 Lantern Making with Blackheath Creatives, at the Everest Inn, Montpelier Vale. Free, no need to book.
2.45 Nepalese Dancing, Montpelier Vale
3.00 The Blackheath Morris Men Dancing, Montpelier Vale
3.30 Laurence O ‘n’ the Blistered Mirrors the live band at Zero Degrees. The band will play until the lights are switched on and then again afterwards until 5.30pm.
3.30 Carol Singing by the Blackheath Conservatoire Women’s Choir and St Michael’s Junior Choir.
4.00 Torch light Carol Singing Procession through the Village to the Christmas tree on Montpelier Green.
4.25 Carols and Christmas Blessing at the Christmas tree with Father Nicholas from All Saints’ Church
The Best Dressed Christmas Shop Window in the Village competition will be repeated this year, to be assessed on 9th December. Last year the prize was a generous hamper of Christmas goodies.
Many shops will have begun their wonderful displays.
Come and enjoy the exciting transformation and see the progress being made as we prepare for Christmas.
A Canal Walk, Limehouse to the Olympic Park, 4.5 miles
Howard Shields is offering to lead a brisk walk, mainly along canals, taking us from Limehouse to the Lea River, via the historic 3 Mills site , finishing at the Olympic Games site. A coffee stop is included. This is an area of historic interest as well as great transformation.
Meet at 0945 on the platform at Lewisham DLR. Return from Pudding Mill DLR or Stratford
Please reserve your place via the link below:
Join members for a drink and/or lunch and a chat at the Princess of Wales pub, Blackheath. We will be delighted to see you, no need to book.
This illustrated talk by Paul Wright is a repeat of the one which was sold out in July.
Exactly 200 years ago a Greenwich clockmaker called John Bennett acquired an area of land that was subsequently developed as Bennett Park and much of the eastern part of Blackheath Village that we know today. Paul will give a richly illustrated talk on the colourful Bennett family, the development of this part of Blackheath and some of the fascinating characters and institutions that have resided and worked in the street named after them including pioneers of astrophysics and documentary film making and a renowned saucy postcard artist.
Tickets £15 includes an interval drink.
Please book via the link below
DATE: 14th November, Friday
TIME: 11 am to 12 o’clock
WHERE: WOODEN ANNEX by Tsuruta Architects
ADRESS: 76 Farquhar Road, SE19 1LT
TRAVEL: From Blackheath - train to Peckham Rye, then train to Gipsy Hill and a 10 min walk to Farquhar Road. Time aprox. 50 minutes
A unique opportunity to visit this exquisite project by Tsuruta Architects. A full refurbishment of a 1950 end-of-terrace house with a new single story timber annex. The ground floor space flows from the living area to the garden, integrating new dining and kitchen areas. With timber foundation beams, posts, and a plywood waffle slab the project responds to site constrains such as tree roots and has reduced embodied CO2 by 70% if compared to the traditional brick and concrete foundations.
The house sits near the ancient woodlands of Sydenham and the estate project is a celebration of Austin Vernon and Partners' modernist post war vision. Their Dulwich Development Plan took 15 years to complete, with houses in park-like settings, free of fences, with lush planting, mature trees and the parking in separate courts or 'en-bloc' garage areas, similar to the Span developments in Blackheath and Greenwich.
We will be guided by Taro Tsuruta, founder of Tsuruta Architects. Taro is a Japanese architect graduated at the AA School in London. He worked with leading London design practices on complex multi-award-winning projects before setting up his own studio.
Tickets £10.
Please reserve you place via the link with Eventbrite
Meet at 10 o’clock at the entrance to Morden College.
Join members for a stimulating walk from Morden College to Deptford Creek led by member Jonathan Causer. We will follow the route of the Upper Kid Brook through Blackheath, up Heath Lane, pass and admire the Pagoda, enjoy Brookmill Park and arrive at Deptford Creek. A coffee stop will be found. It is a linear walk, so catching a bus back to Blackheath or the DLR might be desired! The walk is approximately 3 miles. Please book your place via the website.
Meet at 10 o’clock at the entrance to Morden College, St Germans Place, Blackheath, SE3 0PW
Please reserve your place via the link below:
DATE: 23rd Oct, Thursday
TIME: 10:30am - 11:30am
WHERE: ARAM GALLERY, 110 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5SG
TRAVEL: train to Charing Cross and a 10 min walk to Drury Lane
TICKETS: £10 available from Eventbrite. Please click on the direct link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/blackheath-society-architecture-group-visit-to-the-aram-gallery-tickets-1771679002589?aff=oddtdtcreator
A unique opportunity to visit the Aram Gallery, with architect Andrew Jackson.
Learn about the current exhibition ‘Beyond Foam’ and Aram’s unique organisation’s history. Alongside the leading design store, ‘the Aram Gallery was founded by Zeev Aram in 2002 as an independently curated gallery that encouraged and promoted experimental and new design.’
‘Zeev Aram (1931-2021) founded Aram in 1964 with the aim to bring the best of modern design to the UK. Zeev achieved his goal and is now known for having introduced and promoted, both within the UK and internationally, the likes of Marcel Breuer, Achille Castiglioni and Eileen Gray, amongst many others. Now, sixty years on, Aram continues to be family-run and resolute in our goal of being an incredible resource for 20th century and contemporary design through our store, trade department and gallery.’
We will be visiting the store and the current exhibition: ‘Beyond Foam explores a largely unseen yet global problem, and the potential for positive change that addressing it could bring. Conventional polyurethane foam is a material widely used in the furniture design industry. It can be formed into almost any shape a designer imagines, as well as being comfortable, lightweight, low-cost and readily available. However, when mishandled - as the vast majority of it is - it is damaging to both human and environmental health.’
Our guide, Andrew Jackson is an architect, who lives in Greenwich and was an associate at the interior architecture practice of Zeev Aram & Associates, which ran between 1963 – 1989. The practice employed a collective of creatives: graphic designers, industrial and furniture designers, as well as interior designers. Andrew worked for the practice for 18 years, first from their studios in Kings Road and then in Lambs Conduit. They were responsible for many commercial projects, offices, banks, hotels and retail, including Simpson’s of Piccadily.
Join us to celebrate the open space of the Heath with the traditional flying of kites.
The Kent Kite Flyers will return with their enormous, unusual kites to fly with us. Not to be missed. The talented Steel Pan Band from the local schools will add to the merriment of the afternoon at 2 o’clock.. Bottons Family Funfair, will also be held over the weekend near Royal Parade.
Meet at St Margaret’s Old Churchyard Lee Terrace.
This is the second part of the excellent walk designed and led by Jonathan Causer. He brings to light the interesting history that has grown up along the River Quaggy as it flows into Lewisham. Initially Jonathan led the walk from Lee Green to Lewisham (Part 1), but this was too long, so he has adapted the walk, to run from St Margaret’s, following the “field path”, pass Boone’s Chapel to Manor Park where we plan to join the river Quaggy into Lewisham, Part 2.
Please book your place via the link with Eventbrite.
Photo courtesy of S Craven
The historic churchyard of St Margaret's Lee dates back to at least the twelfth century. Many fascinating people are buried there including a restoration actress, a claimant in a celebrated eighteenth century court case, an unlucky early parachutist and no fewer than three Astronomers Royal. Many architecturally important tombs have also been beautifully restored over the past year. Drop in for an illustrated talk by local resident Paul Wright. No need to book.
Meet at the Old Churchyard gate, Lawn Terrace, SE13 5DN.
Saturday September 20: 11.00 and 14.30
Sunday September 21: 12.00 and 15.00
More information at: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/8327
20th & 21st September, Modern Architecture in Blackheath
Architect Ana Sutherland, author of a newly published book 'Modern Buildings in Blackheath and Greenwich', will lead a guided tour of the Cator Estate. Covering Eric Lyons' Span estates and unique modernist homes designed by architects Patrick Gwynne, Peter Moro and Walter Greaves.
The walks begin at 10 am both days, and end at 12 o’clock.
Please book via the Open House website. www.programme.openhouse.org.uk
Join members for a relaxed friendly chat over a drink and/or lunch. We meet at the Princess of Wales pub, Pond Road, Blackheath. We would be delighted to see you, no need to book.
Wednesday, 23rd July at 10.00am
Following the Quaggy and Lee High Road with Jonathan Causer Part l.
This walk was originally undertaken on 1st May, it was over subscribed so we are repeating it. Also, there were so many interesting things to see and hear about, it was rather long. Therefore we have split it into two Parts. Part ll will be in the autumn.
We will meet at Blueberry Cafe on Lee Road, junction with Meadowcourt Road at 10 o’clock. The walk then follows the River Quaggy through Lee Green, along Lee High Road and Lampmead Road to Manor House Gardens and Boone’s Chapel. Part ll continues the walk into Lewisham.
Jonathan has plenty of interesting history to tell us along the way, from people to places. The Tigers Head New and Old, the brave parachutist who fell to earth, the march to Waterloo and a local social historian. Join us.
Please click the link to reserve your place.
Tuesday, 22nd July at 12.30
Meet & Eat at The Princess of Wales, Blackheath Village. Join other members for a chat over a drink and/or lunch. No need to book just come along we will be pleased to see you.
Friday, 11th July, time in the afternoon
Visit to ‘Textile House’, Crooms Hill Grove, Greenwich by 31/44 Architects
For members only
In November 2024 the we visited the work-in-progress of this unique new home build on the site of 6 derelict garages. We look forward to returning to see the finished result, whilst learning further about the planning and construction challenges and successes of this new build.
The house is small, so visits will be in two small groups. The first group at 1 o'clock and the second at 2.30pm finishing at 4pm. Nearer the time we will divide attendees into the two groups and let you know your time. If you have a preference please let the office know.
Tickets £10. Please reserve your place via the Eventbrite link below
Thursday, 10th July, 7 for 7.15pm
Meet at The Bakehouse, Bennett Park, SE3 9RA
Exactly 200 years ago a Greenwich clockmaker called John Bennett acquired an area of land that was subsequently developed as Bennett Park and part of the Blackheath Village that we know today. Paul Wright will give a richly illustrated talk on the colourful Bennett family, the development of this part of Blackheath and some of the fascinating characters who have lived and worked in the street named after them including pioneers of astrophysics and documentary film making and a renowned saucy postcard artist.
Tickets £15 includes an interval drink
Please reserve your place via Evenbrite and click the link below.
Join us on Wednesday, 9th July at 2.30 pm. We have 9 places available for a visit to The London College of Fashion, UAL, Stratford East Bank.By Allies and Morrison Architects.
Address: 105 Carpenters Rd, Stratford Cross, E20 2AR (by the London Aquatic Centre)
Meet at 2.15 pm at the Main entrance to the Aquatic Centre.
Opened in 2024, ‘this new home for UAL's London College of Fashion is conceived as a 21st century workshop; its design inspired by 19th century mill buildings common to many industrial cities. It is outwardly simple, unpretentious and robust while capable of containing multiple complex and process-driven internal arrangements that are continually adaptable to change.
Bringing together an institution that up until recently was operating in six sites across London, this move represents the first time that all of its departments co-locate together under one roof. Now occupied by 5,000 students and faculty, the building is one of the largest dedicated to the study and research of fashion in the world and forms a key piece of the cultural quarter of East Bank.’
This project won a RIBA Award 2025
Tickets £10. Click the link below to reserve your places via Eventbrite.
Unfortunately the cricket match has had to be cancelled this year. We have been unable to raise a full team despite several appeals to members. We very much hope we can revive the tradition next year. Please do contact the Society if you would be willing to play.
Thursday, 26th June at 7 for 7.30pm
The Blackheath Society AGM at St Mary’s Halls, Cresswell Park, SE3 9RD. No need to book. All members and prospective members welcome.
Following our successful day-out last year to Brighton, we now propose The Blackheath Architecture Group Goes West, for Wednesday 25th June 2025.
We will visit 2 distinct buildings in Twickenham, the first is Strawberry Hill, the unusual and inspirational Gothic Revival villa built by Horace Walpole in the 18th century; and after lunch, Mallard Place, the last of Span developments from 1984. At Mallard Place we will visit some of the houses and flats there, including one of the riverfront houses. You might wish to visit Fieldend, another Span estate nearby, before your return to Blackheath.
Details of the day:.
09:51 -10.10 Train from Blackheath to Waterloo
10.30 - 11.07 Train from Waterloo to Strawberry Hill
11:30 - 12:30 Visit Strawberry Hill House and gardens
12:30 - 13:30 Lunch at the Strawberry Hill café
A light lunch will be provided for the group and includes:
o Two Mini Artisan Soft Buns (one veggie and one meat option)
o Seasonal Fruit Platter
o Mini Cranberry Brownie
o Filter Coffee & Tea
Additional food and drinks offer will be available from the café.
13.30 -14.00 Visit the garden or outside the house
14.00 – 14:30 Walk from Strawberry Hill House to Mallard House
14:30 – 15:30 Visit to Mallard Place..
16.07 or 16.37 Train from Strawberry Hill to Waterloo, and then to Blackheath.
Tickets £25. This includes lunch and visit to Mallard Place.. Train tickets and Strawberry Hill house tickets are to be booked and paid separately and individually. We recommend that members book for the 11.30 entrance to the house. We will have an information hand out for everyone but we are not joining an official tour.
https://tickets.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk/event-tickets/45482?catID=45221&
(Art Fund card holders go free and English Heritage members have 10% off)
Please book your place for The Blackheath Architecture Group Goes West via Eventbrite, follow the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-blackheath-society-architecture-group-goes-west-tickets-1370159687509?aff=oddtdtcreator
We look forward to you joining us.
Meet at the flower stall by Embankment tube Station at 10.15.
For most members of the Blackheath Society, Charing Cross station is a gateway to central London. But how many are familiar with the fascinating history of the area? Members have requested that Society member Paul Wright repeat his fascinating walk around this area.
Paul will start with Hungerford Market previously on the site of the station and the location of Dickens’ famous spell in the blacking factory, the walk will continue past the station itself, down St Martin’s Lane to Seven Dials and then return down Charing Cross Road. Hear about property disputes with Kings, the birth of the British film industry, one of the worst rookeries in London, key moments in the history of London theatre and the 84 Charing Cross Road story. Not to mention the site of the first murder to be solved using identikit.
Tickets £5. Please reserve your place via the link below
The campaign for votes for women originated in Blackheath, and local women were actively involved from the start in 1866 to success in 1928.
Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson., Emily Davies,Millicent Fawcett and John Stuart Mill MP are well known, but there are many more campaigners linked to the area whose stories are forgotten
Led by historian Dr Ann Dingsdale, this leisurely story walk takes us past the homes of many fascinating local suffragists (and some suffragettes ) and the landmarks of protest.
Meet outside Age Exchange in Blackheath village at 10 o’clock. The walk takes approximately 2 hours, ending at Greenwich Station where the 386 bus can return you to Blackheath.
Please reserve your place via the link below
Thursday, 15th May 12.30
Meet & Eat at The Princess of Wales, Blackheath Village.
Join other members for a chat over a drink and/or lunch. No need to book just come along, we will be pleased to see you.
08 MAY 2025, Thursday
7.00pm for 7.30pm start
Annual Lecture to be held at St Michael’s Church, Pond Road, Blackheath, SE3 9JL
By Simon Bayliss, partner at HTA Design
Join us for our annual lecture as we welcome Simon Bayliss, managing partner at HTA. We will be learning more about the current challenges in achieving good design whilst delivering council housing.
‘HTA Design is a practice of creative designers and innovative thinkers dedicated to making great homes and more sustainable places to live.’
HTA are the architects for the local social housing development in Kidbrooke Park Road for Greenwich Builds/ Greenwich Council as well as Cator Park and many others award winning residential projects, in Barnet, Enfield, Canary Wharf and many other places in the UK.
The Kidbrooke Park Road masterplan, aims to achieve 100% homes for social rent. The regeneration of this local brownfield site, by Thomas Talis secondary school, ‘will create 450 homes, of which 122 will be delivered in the first phase, with public realm and a nursery that caters to both residents and the public. The new homes will be delivered across four new blocks, providing a range of housing typologies and sizes.’ This is Greenwich Council’s biggest social housing development in recent years.
Tickets £15 includes wine, available via Eventbrite. Click on the link below. Students £5 payable on the door.
Meet at 6.45 for a glass of wine in the Crypt of St Margaret’s. Starting at 7pm we will hear from the team that has been involved with this exciting project on the restoration of the beautiful but neglected tombs in the grave yard. Among others we will hear from the Craftsmen and the Conservation Officer for Lewisham as to what has been undertaken and how the works will progress. All welcome.
This is by kind invitation of the Church a free event, but please reserve your place as usual via Eventbrite. Please click the link below.
Meet at 10:00 at Osborn Terrace SE3 9DR j/w Lee Road, close to the Blueberry Café. Bus 202.
We walk to Lewisham, roughly following Lee High Road and the River Quaggy. Length about 2 miles.
There is plenty of interesting history along the way -- you will hear inter alia about an unsuccessful aeronaut, Thatcher's squeeze, Waterloo, the world's worst cricketer, Kate Bush, slavery, Boone's Chapel, Hocum Pokum, WSPU, a fernery, a murder and a church-going horse. Delicious coffee stop at Manor House Gardens.
Tickets £5. To reserve your place please follow the link to Eventbrite.
Meet at 10.30 at the Marylebone Lane exit from Bond Street tube station.
Distance 3 miles ending at Baker Street, we will pass through Regents Park and learn about Edward Gibbon, HG Wells, James Boswell, Elizabeth Browning and visit the church where she was married. Discover how Wilkie Collins was inspired to write “The Woman In White”. We have selected an excellent place for coffee and a variety of venues for lunch. Do join us for a good walk
Tickets £5. Please book your place via the link to Eventbrite.
Join the free online talk with Candy Blackham who will explore the green spaces and their history in the two boroughs. She will lead us into corners beyond Greenwich Park and the Heath.
Members will be sent the link to join the meeting.
Meet & Eat at The Princess of Wales, Blackheath Village.
Join other members for a chat over a drink and/or lunch. No need to book just come along we will be pleased to see you.
Visit to House for Two Artists by Nick Hill Architects
Meet at 76 Kidbrooke Grove, SE3 0LG for 10am start
Blackheath Society members join us for a visit with architect Nick Hill of an exemplary local refurbishment and upgrade project completed in 2023.
‘Through sympathetic choice of materials and careful detailing, the finished project reinstates a sense of quiet dignity and cohesion throughout the house and creates intrigue by leaving ambiguous what is original, what has been altered, and what is entirely new.
The project is an exemplar of retrofit in a time of climate emergency when views on what is best practice are shifting, and considerations of building conservation, or renewal, are ever more closely measured against their environmental costs.’
Tickets £10. Limited space for members only, please reserve your place through Eventbrite. Click on the link below
