The station opened in 1857 by the Mid-Kent Railway (MKR) as a terminal station for trains from Lewisham. Other lines into and through Beckenham were later added as part of the Victorian Railway boom when the station’s name adopted ‘junction’. Since the turn of the 20th Century, very little has changed (but see later), with the original MKR buildings still serving the station well.
The station, and its four platforms, are managed by Southeastern Rail staff on behalf of Southern Rail and Southeastern Rail services. Platform 1 is the end of the line that brought me here today and is the terminus for the half-hourly Southern Rail service from London Bridge. Platforms 2 and 3 are for the through Southeastern Rail services from Victoria, and platform 4 is mainly redundant except for when engineering works demand otherwise.
There’s a steady flow of trains, I’d say on average one stopping every ten minutes during the day, although I suspect this may increase during the peak commuting hours. Southern Rail operates the Class 377 trains on their route, and I was curious about what this lady was doing as she peered through the driver’s door as it was just about to return to London Bridge. Maybe she was checking if he had his lunch box with him.
Station staff – my Picture of the Day highlights my encounter with the station guards. And as we chatted, they invited me to capture their colleague (with his permission) who was waiting for his train on platform 3. I didn’t catch his name, but he was clearly up for a laugh.
Tram – I haven’t forgotten that the London Trams arrived at Beckenham Junction in 2000 on a different platform outside the station. You may recall I visited here four and a half years ago as part of my TfL end-of-the-line journey – wow, has it been that long ago? You can still read about my earlier visit here.
Beckenham is a small town whose population grew during the railway boom towards the end of the 19th Century. Originally part of Kent, but on the creation of the Greater London Council in 1965, it is now in the London Borough of Bromley. Its winding High Street still gives it a certain charm, adorned with a variety of pubs, a rich mix of independent shops, and the usual high street chains you’d expect to see. But the High Street is long enough to allow room for this eclectic mix of shops to coexist comfortably.
When I revisit a location, I’m keen not to retrace my previous steps. But Beckenham is a small town, so it’s difficult not to. But, regardless, I do make new discoveries brought on by one change or another. I hope you agree.
The church is prominently positioned at the town’s highest point so that its tower is visible from afar. With the wind blowing, the cross of St George flies majestically, reminding everyone of the church’s presence.
According to the church’s website, the Lych Gate guarding the church’s main entrance is considered the oldest in the country. I, however, enter the church grounds from St George’s Road as I’m attracted by an amber glow from one of the ground’s street lamps. Even in the harsh daylight, this old-fashioned street lamp casts a warm and welcoming light, complementing the emerging spring daffodils.
The churchyard grounds are immaculate, and the footpath meanders peacefully through the memorial stones and connects with the adjoining Green. So if you want to find somewhere for solace and contemplation, this is certainly a place where you can achieve that.
High Street
St George’s Church leads you to the High Street with its mix of trendy restaurants and coffee shops. If you head past the NatWest Bank, a raised footpath steers clear of the main road and offers a view of those sitting outside cafes on the opposite pavement. On the day of my visit, the sun was peering through high clouds and, when not obscured, cast deep shadows of the railings onto the path. I had to pick my moment to get the full effect, but it was worth waiting for.
There’s a relatively new development on the opposite side of the road. Rokewood Apartments sit behind and between Pierluigi’s Italian Restaurant and Rendez Vous Cafe. Their bright blue fascia tiles are striking and invite you to look closer. However, I was less welcomed by one of the occupant’s dogs barking at me.
Further down the High Street, at the corner with Manor Road, was once the home of Creative Interior Designs. But alas, it is no more as it went into liquidation in July 2021 – a Covid casualty, maybe? The shop has been vacant ever since; however, the use of the Financial Times newspaper, dated the 14th of October 2022, to hide the inside from prying eyes offers an interesting perspective. And if you have time to spare, you can reflect on two of its articles. One by George Parker entitled Can anything save Liz Truss? The other is by Robin Lane Fox, entitled A burst of Sissinghurst.
At the bottom of The High Street, just as you turn into Croydon Road, you can pick up the numbers 54, 194 or 358 buses to Bromley or West Wickham. But if you want an alternative mode of transport, why not pop into Deen’s Garage instead and pick up a bike? The pavement is strewn with various bicycles waiting for new owners.
My final image of the day is of these two rustic and somewhat aged garage doors along Rectory Road. The garages are the last buildings on the curve of the road, with the railway line running behind them. As is my want, I’ll sometimes take photos of random things because I like their symmetry or architectural design. I’ll keep the images as stock photos for future reference in case there’s an opportunity to reuse them.
Picture of the Day – Sean & Teander
On the larger stations with staff present, it’s only courteous to engage with them to let them know what I am about. It’s also necessary to seek their permission to take photographs, as prescribed by the relevant Train Operating Company’s policies. So I headed to the ticket office. From there, the ticket officer directed me to the station office along platform 2, where I met Sean and Teander, the station guards.
Both were very friendly and helpful and more than happy for me to explore the station. It was later on my visit, as they both stepped out of their office to check on the departure of the Southern Rail train on platform 1, I asked if they would be amenable to having their photo taken. And they were.
One of the techniques I’ve learnt as a street photographer is always to be prepared
for the unexpected. So as I saw Sean and Teander and walked towards them, I prepped my camera in anticipation of their saying yes to my request. So without hesitation, I got a few quick shots in. But then I saw the advertising board behind them and positioned myself to try and capture the three smiling. I can’t remember what I said, but whatever it was, it helped capture their funny side. My thanks, gents.
- Location: Beckenham Junction Station, Platform 2
- Date/Time: Tuesday 14th March 2023, 2.24 pm
- Settings: Camera – Canon EOS 200D; Aperture -f/4.5; Shutter Speed – 1/100; Focal Length – 28mm; Film Speed – ISO125
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Photos By RJT 