Becontree Heath

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
Dagenham Civic Centre
Becontree Heath Location within Greater London
OS grid reference	TQ493871
• Charing Cross	12.5 mi (20.1 km) WSW
London borough	Barking & Dagenham
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DAGENHAM
Postcode district	RM8
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
UK Parliament	Dagenham and Rainham
London Assembly	City and East

History

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

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

It is the location Crowlands Heath Golf Club [4] and Becontree Heath Leisure Centre[5]

Education

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

Transport

Becontree Heath Bus Station
Location	Becontree Heath Barking and Dagenham
Operated by	Transport for London
Bus routes	150 (towards Chigwell Row) EL2 (towards Dagenham Dock)
Bus stands	2
Bus operators	Arriva London East London Transit (Blue Triangle)

Beacontree 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]

Gallery

• 
  Barking and Dagenham Civic Centre.
• 
  Close up of entrance.
• 
  Becontree Heath Bus Station.
• 
  Becontree Heath Bus Station with Barking and Dagenham Civic Centre in background.

References

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.