Blackfen is a residential area of Sidcup and is located in the London Borough of Bexley in Kent. It lies between the ancient estates of Danson and Lamorbey and is on the edge of the great West Wood to the north. The name Blackfen literally means 'black marsh' and refers to the dark fertile soil of the area. Blackfen.com
The whole area, including the hamlet of Blackfen, is situated within the manor of Bexley. The earliest reference to Blackfen being in an assize roll, a trial record of 1241 when it was referred to as 'Blackwene.' The area was mainly farmland until a major programme of house building began in the 1920s. Black Fenn Farm and Days Lane Farm were two of the oldest farms both of which were mentioned in documents in the 1600s.
Blackfen was surrounded by great estates such as Lamorbey, Danson and Blendon with their grand houses and rich residents. Danson, the main estate was owned by the railway entrepreneur Alfred Bean in the latter part of the 19th century. It was sold in 1922 and this was the catalyst for the house building that eventually took place throughout the latter part of the 1920s and into the 1930s. Much of the core of the estate remains to this day as Danson Park. The Queenswood and Westwood estates that straddled the Blackfen Road just west of the junction with Westwood Lane were built by CR Leech in the early 1930s and featured semi-detached three-bed roomed houses which were offered freehold for £675. The Blendon Estate was sold to the local builder DC Bowyer in 1929 and developed for residential building shortly afterwards. The housing stock today is almost exclusively owner-occupied and of conventional British design, and with most houses dating from that period.
The Woodman public house at the junction of Blackfen Road and Westwood Lane is a recognisable landmark. The original pub dates from 1845, however, the present building was completed in 1931.The Woodman has undergone several changes of character over the years, the most recent being its promotion as a 'Sports Bar.' There is also a biker-themed 'rock' night on Mondays. Half a mile west along the Blackfen Road on the south side is another popular pub the 'Jolly Fenman' which was built in the 1930s. The Fenman was refurbished in February 2006 and offers table service for meals as well as good all round family entertainment.
Blackfen has two principal shopping parades which can be located at Blackfen Road and at The Oval. The crescent shaped parade of shops of The Oval with its Tudoresque details to the frontage, has a small municipal garden consisting of paths, flower beds and ornamental trees and has been included in a designated conservation area. The larger shopping centre at Blackfen Road includes a large food store with free parking as well as many local businesses and fast food outlets and benefits from direct bus links to even larger shopping centres such as Bexleyheath, Welling, Eltham and Sidcup.
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