Buildings, Buzz and Other Stuff – Architecture in Beckenham…

By Sally-Ann Johnson | Published 7 October 2008

As a place to live, Beckenham is an under-rated undiscovered gem. I moved here a couple of years ago and relish having pretty much everything I need right on the doorstep. This small north Kent town has character, charm, a strong sense of community, and a definite ‘buzz’ and vitality. All this is underscored by remarkably diverse architecture, and here are three of my favourite buildings…

Halfway along the high street is the epitome of ‘olde worlde pubbes,’ The George Inn. And with the year 1647 inscribed on a beam above the door, it really does put the ‘old’ in ‘olde;’ a reminder that Beckenham has a long history. As a piece of architecture, this traditional pub can look curiously awkward, stubbornly sitting there amongst the modern shops, and juxtaposed with contemporary wine bars, their wooden floors and high ceilings. But that’s exactly what’s enticing about The George - the historical X factor, the welcoming porch, the positioning right on the curb, the traditional windows. There are stories of Henry VIII stopping off in Beckenham on his way to visit Ann Boleyn, and it’s fun to ponder whether he or other notable figures took respite and ale at this Inn.

Back towards Beckenham Green, once the heart of the village before devastation by land mines and flying bombs in the 1940s, we find the parish church of St George. It dates to the 14th century. The 13th century lych gate is thought to be one of the oldest in the country. There’s something rather splendid and comforting about the way the spire keeps watch over this community. And the church interior is equally splendid and comforting. On occasions I have attended a service, there’s been a full congregation. One of the reasons I like St George is that it’s about so much more than the building. As well as the worship calendar, it plays host to a range of events such concerts and arts and crafts exhibitions (more recently a wonderful exhibition by the Bromley Arts Society).

Now let’s go to the other end of the high street….to the roundabout with the War Memorial unveiled in 1921 to commemorate the men and women of Beckenham who lost their lives in two world wars. A decade later, an Art Deco cinema ‘arrived’ on the Rectory Road/High Street corner. ‘Fanatical about film,’ it says above the doors. Well I’m fanatical about the building! Crisp clean lines, classic period windows and most of all the shear force of statement that this building makes. Beckenham may be understated but this Art Deco cinema is not.