Becontree Heath (also spelt Beacontree Heath) is an open space in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The name has also been applied to the local area, in particular to the RM8 postal district.

Becontree Heath
Becontree Heath is located in Greater London
Becontree Heath
Becontree Heath
Location within Greater London
OS grid referenceTQ493871
• Charing Cross12.5 mi (20.1 km) WSW
London borough
Ceremonial countyGreater London
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townDAGENHAM
Postcode districtRM8
Dialling code020
PoliceMetropolitan
FireLondon
AmbulanceLondon
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°33′49″N 0°09′09″E / 51.563595°N 0.152614°E / 51.563595; 0.152614

History

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Becontree Heath functioned as the ancient meeting place for Becontree hundred, which covered much of what is now East London. In 1465, the hundred lost territory in the east and the meeting place became located on its fringe.[1] When it was still a rural parish, Becontree Heath was a hamlet in Dagenham.

Geography

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It is the location of Dagenham Civic Centre, a grade II listed, 1930s art deco building designed by Ernest Berry Webber[2] and the former town hall of Dagenham Borough Council.

It is also the location of the high density Becontree Heath Estate, built by Barking Borough Council from 1966 to 1970.[3]

Crowlands Heath Golf Club can be found there,[4] along with Becontree Heath Leisure Centre.[5]

Education

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Local education is listed on the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham article.

Transport

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Becontree Heath Bus Station
 
General information
LocationBecontree Heath
Barking and Dagenham
Operated byTransport for London
Bus routes
Bus stands2
Bus operatorsArriva London East London Transit (Blue Triangle)

Becontree Heath is served by the Becontree Heath Bus Station. The former station served route 150 (towards Chigwell Row) since 19 March 2016 by BRT East London Transit route EL2 (towards Dagenham Dock). The station has been replaced at present by new bus stops along the nearby road while the local council undertakes a construction project involving the building of 170 homes, a pharmacy and a new replacement bus station.[6]

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References

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  1. ^ 'The hundred of Becontree: Introduction', A History of the County of Essex: Volume 5 (1966). Date accessed: 11 January 2008.
  2. ^ Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council Archived 11 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine - Dagenham Civic Centre
  3. ^ Cherry, Bridget (2005). London. New Haven, CT London: Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300107012.
  4. ^ Crowlands Heath Golf Club Archived 18 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Crowlands Heath Golf Club
  5. ^ Becontree Heath Leisure Centre Archived 24 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine and Becontree Heath Leisure Centre
  6. ^ "Construction starts at Becontree Heath". Local Authority Building & Maintenance. Hamerville Media Group. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2020.