Herne Hill

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type = Greater London
region= London
population=
official_name= Herne Hill
london_borough= Lambeth
london_borough4= Southwark
constituency_westminster= Dulwich and West Norwood
post_town= LONDON
postcode_area= SE
postcode_district = SE24
dial_code= 020
os_grid_reference= TQ325745
latitude= 51.4544
longitude= -0.0936

Herne Hill is located in the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Southwark in Greater London. There is a road of the same name which is part of the A215.

The name Herne Hill initially appeared in 1798, when the area was farms and woodland. It has been suggested that it derives from previously being called "Heron's Hill", as the River Effra attracted a large number of herons, but other explanations have also been suggested. [ [http://www.rich13.co.uk/hhs/index.php?page=s/3/index.html&PHPSESSID=b38d5416a4a159938b29b1d01e472569 Herne Hill Society - Herne Hill History] ]

Herne Hill is situated between the more well-known areas of Brixton and Dulwich, and shares characteristics with both. It also straddles two boroughs, and is a community of just under 12,000 people, with a range of independent shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants. Famous Herne Hill residents from history include John Ruskin and the Lupino family, and actor Roddy McDowall was born there.

The area is home to Brockwell Park. On the top of the hill in Brockwell Park stands Brockwell Hall, which was built in 1831. The land surrounding it was opened to the public in 1891 after it was purchased by London County Council. Brockwell Park hosts the annual Lambeth Country Fair and was the site of London's Gay Pride festival for several years in the 1990s. The park also houses Brockwell Lido, an open-air swimming pool built in 1937.

Situated in a park off Burbage Road, the Herne Hill Velodrome was built in 1891, is the only remaining cycle racing track in London, and hosted the track cycling events in the 1948 Olympic Games. Unlike most modern, steeply-banked velodromes, it is a shallow concrete bowl. It also has a football pitch, and was home of Crystal Palace F.C. from 1915 until 1918.

The Grade II listed Half Moon Pub on Half Moon Lane has hosted a boxing gym for over 50 years, currently run by former British and European light welterweight champion Clinton McKenzie.

St Paul's church on Herne Hill was originally built by G Alexander in 1843-4, but dramatically rebuilt after a destructive fire by the gothic architect G E Street in 1858, and is now listed Grade II*.

The Carnegie Public Library on Herne Hill Road opened in 1906 and is also a listed Grade II building.

A Blue Plaque at 51 Herne Hill (by the junction with Danecroft Road) marks the former home of author Sax Rohmer (a.k.a. Arthur Henry Ward), most famous as author of the series of novels featuring the master criminal Dr. Fu Manchu.

Harriet Harman lives in Herne Hill. There were two separate Fathers 4 Justice protests on the roof of her house in 2008.

Distance From Charing Cross

Herne Hill is approximately 4 miles south of Charing Cross

Nearest stations

*Brixton tube station
*Herne Hill railway station
*Loughborough Junction railway station
*North Dulwich railway station
*Tulse Hill railway station
*West Dulwich railway station
*Denmark Hill railway station
*West Norwood railway station

Nearest places

*Brixton
*Camberwell
*Denmark Hill
*Dulwich
*Tulse Hill
*West Norwood
*Clapham

References

External links

* [http://www.hernehillsociety.org.uk The Herne Hill Society]
* [http://www.hernehillvelodrome.co.uk Herne Hill Velodrome]
* [http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/lambeth/main/images-herne-hill.htm Old images of Herne Hill]
* [http://www.hernehillnews.net Herne Hill News and Message Board]
* [http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/LeisureCulture/Libraries/Carnegie.htm Carnegie Public Library]