London Districts: Blackheath (TV Edit - Unseen Footage)

Subtitles available under video via CC button. Series Soundtrack available at yeththar.bandc.... Watch #LondonDistricts on TV @ Sky 117, Freeview 8, Virgin Media 159 and YouView 8 via London Live.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Series Playlist - bit.ly/2CcZFSA
Facebook fanpage - LondonDistricts/
Twitter - / dewyneuk
Instagram - dewynelindsay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackheath stretches across the very top of south east London governed and shared between both the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Lewisham.
This large green conservation area is undoubtably one of the most beautiful public open spaces in the capital. It features a village at its centre and sits just east of Lewisham and south of Greenwich; 7 miles away from Charing Cross, served directly by train.
A common misconception since the middle ages is that Blackheath was used as a mass burial ground for the victims of the 14th century 'Black Death' pandemic which wiped out about half the European population.
We know today however, that the name instead refers to the much darker colour of the poor uncultivated soil on the heath in contrast to the rich, healthy green fields lining the Thames which it overlooks nearby. Chalk, gravel and larger pebbles were dug out of it for ballast and this created deep pits all over the Heath. Some of these were filled in with rubble and others are now ponds.
Blackheath has been the start of the London Marathon for the last 34 years accommodating thousands of runners. It holds either a funfair or circus across most bank holiday periods and it hosts a fireworks display each year on whichever Saturday in November is closest to Guy Fawkes Night.
The 'On Blackheath' music festival at the start of each summer, has become a unique celebration of good food with a truly spectacular line-up of global stars such as Grace Jones, Massive Attack, De La Soul and Jamiroquai to name just a handful.
The Sun in the Sands is a public house at the edge of Blackheath giving its name to the adjacent A2 roundabout junction meeting the A102 for Blackwall Tunnel. The present pub dates back to around 1745 but this location has been a meeting point since the Middle Ages. The name Sun in the Sands comes from the sight of the sunlight setting amidst the dust kicked up by sheep being herded from Kent into London.
Blackheath is strategically important given its open, high ground not too far outside the City. The Romans used it as a conduit to pave out their almost country wide Great Dover Road (aka Watling Street) forming part of the London A2 today.
The Cornish rebellion of 1497 was an uprising of the impoverished Cornish people in response to unreasonable taxation by the King in aid of a war campaign against Scotland. After camping at Blackheath, the Cornish rebels descended from the heath to face an army of 25,000 in what would be called the Battle of Deptford Bridge beside the River Ravensbourne. The Cornish lacked the supporting cavalry and artillery arms essential to the modern forces of the time and were thus suppressed quickly and easily. More than 2,000 of them are buried under the large mound of earth on Blackheath that is Whitefield Mount.
This Grade II-listed Georgian Chinoiserie pavilion with its striking, curved roof is called The Pagoda. It was originally a summer house for the Earl of Cardigan and was later used by Caroline, Princess of Wales before it became a children's home a century later. Lewisham borough is justly proud of it falling within their portion of Blackheath.

[@hairlessx11]

Lovely film - tnank you. Lived in Blackheath/Greenwich from 1986...

[@jcs3330]

I lived in Blackheath in my early childhood. (late 60, early 70s. It was such peaceful and great place to live, and I loved it. Unfortunately, my late Mother lost my Father at a young age and moved to Deptford to be closer to her daughter my elder sister. What a 'terrible' mistake and culture shock!.

[@petewebb6952]

Thank you Dewyne, I really appreciated seeing some of my old haunts. Good narration. Cheers, Pete

[@LondonDistricts]

Thanks Pete.

[@johnryangrinsted6259]

Every location and landmark in the film was part and parcel of my childhood in the sixties. Thank you.

[@LondonDistricts]

Bullseye!

[@johnryangrinsted6259]

@@LondonDistricts Fyi, I was brought up in Wricklemarsh Road, quite a mouthful. I think we used to believe, or pretend it was named after the Wrigley estate on the former marshes round there. Up Eastbrook Road to the Sun in the Sands, and Delacourt Road which was mostly demolished to make way for the Blackwall Tunnel underpass. There was a lovely old shoe shop there with a cat always asleep in an old boot in the window. :)

[@suemount6042]

Loved going through the heath on the way to Greenwich park when I was a kid always fascinated me there’s a pet cemetery there to isn't there? Great documentary

[@LondonDistricts]

Thanks Sue. Yeah that cemetery is very nearby in Charlton.

[@alanjacks9081]

Great episode Dewyne, again this took me back to my younger days when I lived in Charlton Village. I used to take the odd drink in The Royal Standard and my first bank was Barclays across the road. The first game of rugby ever played was on Blackheath so I was told. Keep them coming mate!

[@LondonDistricts]

Thank you Alan.

[@whyyoulidl]

Thx Dewyne; my second video in (always late to the party) I know I've found something special 🤗

[@Olaitank]

I'm really enjoying your documentaries. One of the first times I've seen something on youtube and immediately sent it out to friends. Thanks for the research and hard work you put into your craft. Truly a pleasure to be taken down these roads both familiar and new. The context and history add a lot of depth.

[@grantpetersen1049]

Loved Blackheath as a child love it today best part of my journey to millwall come on you lions 😎

[@gingerbaker4390]

Is the roadside cafe still there. The one near shooters hill. ?

[@grantpetersen1049]

@@gingerbaker4390 morning my friend sadly not a car wrecked smashed into it a while ago have a great easter London by birth millwall the grace of God x

[@gingerbaker4390]

@@grantpetersen1049 I'm gobsmacked. I stopped by the cafe for teas since I was a kid and even as an adult. Everyone knows the cafe.

[@grantpetersen1049]

@@gingerbaker4390 very sad indeed I hear that a new one will be built haven't been past for a while due to lockdown so a new one may already have been built wonderful memories hopefully back to millwall when the new season starts in august enjoy your day and stay safe

[@gingerbaker4390]

@@grantpetersen1049 I use to live in New Cross when I was a kid. Use to go to every Millwall home game .Match day I would Walk down Pepys road, pass the 5 bells pub turn right into monsoon Rd onto the cold blow lane and into the old den. Millwall were my heroes back then . I was there hours after the game to get autographs, when the players came down the steps of the players lounge. I would b the one left in ground when it came locking up. Gosh memories memories.

[@raymondfitzgerald-kuhl5976]

I was sorry to leave Blackheath, made many friends. Superb place to live back in 97.

[@IlfordRetro]

I wish more of east London had open spaces like Blackheath appears to have. There seems to be a nice sense of space over there. Love the score music on this too.

[@LondonDistricts]

Check out the new London Districts Soundtrack here yeththar.bandcamp.com/follow_me

[@davekite5690]

Another of your great vid's - So pleased you've managed to explore Blackheath (really well covered btw). ;-)

[@LondonDistricts]

Appreciate that Dave.

[@jackiebayliss]

Love to hear about local history. 🙌🏽

[@Imzz_.6]

Jackie Bayliss are you from lewisham

[@avinashbhogun]

Fond memories of Blackheath - London Marathon starting location 😊

[@dontdeletemyfrog]

I love these videos!

[@disgruntledoflondon]

I really enjoyed watching this. I moved to Greenwich as a kid in the 80's and grew up in the area. Your off track scenes brought back a lot of memories. 👍

[@LondonDistricts]

That is awesome! I get the same feeling watching it myself.

[@FISHGOMOO4321]

I always loved going to Blackheath Fireworks every year. I went to the display back in 2000 for the millennium and it was amazing.

[@Forpleasure1]

Wonderful!! Thank you so much!

[@Stebs_Paintings]

Yep used to walk up to the fireworks display every year and stop at the pub halfway up Blackheath hill.

[@LondonDistricts]

Memories!

[@kimwieslaw8339]

Love listening to Your Commentary…I got the bus from catford across blackheath for year to secondary school lovely part of London.. 🇦🇺

[@JanetDean100]

Fabulous - somethings I didn't know as well many familiar places!

[@LondonDistricts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brendaflower7790]

Really great watching these, it gives a different perspective on places I know so well.

[@senoj6399]

Thanks a lot for that trip down memory lane. The boat I made in primary school is at the bottom of the pond by the Princess of Wales pub. I lived down the road in Lee for the first 20 years of my life, so lots of familiar sites in your video, but mentioned a few historical points that I didn't know. I will be subscribing for more of the same.

[@gary3561]

Days (or nights) spent out on the CB radio up on Blackheath.( Spaceman from sidcup) with Trevor (mobile wally). Near the tea hut. Eating animal burgers and drinking tea. Occasionally having a few "eyeballs". Those were good times.

[@LondonDistricts]

Wow, you have gotten around quite a bit. Proper Londoner! It doesn't get too much better than Blackheath if you ask me.

[@gary3561]

@@LondonDistricts im a South London boy myself. Born and raised not far from the excalibur Estate.

[@sugarfree1894]

I remember when that underpass at the Sun in the Sands was built. My father walked with me to the end of the road to look at the new motorway going down to Blackwall Tunnel. I had my first date with my first boyfriend at the Sun in the Sands pub, happy days.

[@LondonDistricts]

Wow!

[@damberisbolimbu1628]

Wow nice place

[@smehmet21]

Great video thank you

[@zeph2312]

Amazing - I thought I knew that area really well but I'd never seen the pagoda before.

[@tenerifereddog3943]

Really enjoyed this. I was born in Charlton and lived in Greenwich for many a year. I haven’t been to England for 8 years now so it was nice to see some familiar places. Thank you.

[@richardprescott6322]

Pagoda House terrified me - always ran past - always looking back - not always a good decision. My grandparents lived on Blackheath road. My mum was born there - lucky escape from a german bomb landing in her bed when little 😂

[@Imzz_.6]

Hi love the vids

[@LondonDistricts]

Appreciated.

[@deanwebb4809]

Well done you I love the show long time neighbor and friend dean webb

[@LondonDistricts]

Dean! Thanks for watching/supporting. Hope all is well with you in these times.

[@activeone]

Do Bruce Grove in Tottenham next Love these kinds of videos, just got a new subscriber

[@LondonDistricts]

Thanks for the sub!

[@mrsupershaf]

Hi Please can you create a video about Welling, keep them coming :)

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

So beautiful. Hi Chris.

[@mariamogaburu2765]

great video

[@LondonDistricts]

Thanks!

[@maxrichardson6272]

Could you do bromley

[@LondonDistricts]

Yes we could and we will.

[@paulmorris3613]

Strange place, they have hikers walking backwards in 0.42 lol .Great. You keep surprising me with how little I know of my own city. This is one part of the city I have never even remotely thought of exploring. It was also notorious for highwaymen and the local gibbets I am told,, and I did think for duelling...but I am not sure on that one lol .

[@LondonDistricts]

Yeah, not sure why these hikers do that - interesting though huh? This is one place you cannot afford to miss. Sunday is good day for it I'd say.

[@geoffsullivan4063]

Who remembers the burger hut on the heath ?

[@seansoraghan3245]

Many a burger after a nite out

[@imranzazai7404]

London is very nice.

[@LondonDistricts]

Right?

[@mgsolf3421]

What will will you do when you are done with all of the districts

[@Kormos17]

been there a couple years ago