A short history
Kidbrooke Village takes its name from Kyd Brook, a watercourse which runs from Orpington in Kent to Lewisham. The site was formerly an RAF base. Much of the area contains 1920s and 1930s houses developed as part of the Kidbrooke Park Estate. In 1964, when the Government released land once occupied by the RAF to the Greater London Council for housing, the Ferrier Estate was built. It later became known as one of the largest and most deprived council estates in London and was demolished in 2012 to make way for Kidbrooke Village, a development of 4,200 homes.
Green spaces and going out
Cator Park, which runs through Kidbrooke Village, has a lake and wetlands which was regenerated recently to increase local biodiversity and encourage wildlife to nest among the trees and wildflowers. Sutcliffe Park to the North is a site of Borough importance for nature conservation, Grade 11. The river Quaggy runs through the Park, and the sports centre has an athletics track, climbing wall, soft play area and skate park. Meanwhile Blackheath village is a 20-minute stroll away.
Transport
Kidbrooke’s new station was opened in April 2021 as part of the redevelopment of Kidbrooke Village. It’s located in Zone 3 and journeys take 23 minutes to London Bridge.
Did you know?
The Thomas Tallis School is built on the site of a prisoner of war camp which was part of RAF Kidbrooke, once a barrage balloon centre.
