Beckenham Biscuit

Fire station fun, hip-hop and local history

Published Thursday 6 August 2026

Plan a fire-station visit, find music and church tours, and check major tram and rail changes before travelling.

Top Updates

Young people with SEND can shape adult support

Bromley residents aged 16 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities, and their parents or carers, can share what would make the move into adult services work better. The online survey closes on Friday 28 August, and families can also ask about in-person conversations. Join the SEND Big Conversation.

Summer activity places include a healthy meal

Bromley’s summer Holiday Activities and Food programme offers holiday-club places with activities and a healthy meal for eligible children aged 5 to 16. It is open to children receiving benefit-related free school meals and children in Bromley as refugees. Check eligibility and find a summer place.

Charing Cross closure continues until 16 August

Southeastern trains are not serving Charing Cross or Waterloo East during the 22-day engineering closure. Services are diverting to London Bridge, Cannon Street, Blackfriars or Victoria, and Victoria–Orpington trains via Beckenham Junction are running every 30 minutes. Check routes and ticket acceptance before travelling.

Dates For Your Diary

Saturday 15 August · 11am–4pm

Meet the crew at Beckenham Fire Station

Beckenham Fire Station opens its doors for a family day themed around road safety. Visitors can meet firefighters, see a fire engine, get safety advice and join family activities at 8 Beckenham Road. See the fire-station open-day details.

What's On

Thursday 6 August

Upside Down Records takes over the courtyard, 5–9pm. The Homestead Cafe’s record-shop series brings Upside Down Records to the courtyard at Beckenham Place Park for an evening DJ session. See the event page.

Friday 7 August

Guided history tour of St George’s, 10–11am · £5 suggested donation. Joan Conway leads a one-hour tour through the history of St George’s Church in Beckenham. Donations support the upkeep of the church. See the guided-tour details.

Balearic sounds in the park courtyard, 5–9pm. The Courtyard Balearicos bring their DJ set to the Homestead Cafe at Beckenham Place Park for Friday’s outdoor music session. See the event page.

House and UK garage at Bridge Bar, 8pm–3am · 18+. Lemon & Lime’s LNL002 night brings house, tech house and UK garage DJs to Bridge Bar on Beckenham High Street. Last entry is 11.30pm and valid photo ID is required. Book advance tickets.

Saturday 8 August

Edward Leung piano recital, 11am–noon. Pianist Edward Leung gives a Saturday morning recital at St George’s Church in Beckenham. See the recital details.

Hiphopera family jam in the park, Noon–6.30pm · free. The Homestead Cafe courtyard hosts a free family day of hip-hop culture, with art workshops, breakdancing, scratching and beat-making. Everyone is welcome and no RSVP is needed. See the Hiphopera event page.

Roadworks and Transport

Elmers End trams stop during August works: No trams are serving Elmers End from Thursday 6 to Sunday 30 August. Use Birkbeck or bus 289 between Arena and Elmers End. Beckenham Junction trams are running only between Beckenham Junction and East Croydon, while the Croydon town-centre loop and West Croydon stops are closed. Check the latest TfL tram status before travelling.

Elmers End Road, Ash Grove and Bourdon Road: Granted road closures are scheduled on Elmers End Road, Ash Grove and Bourdon Road through Monday 17 August for council works.

Queen Anne Avenue: Queen Anne Avenue is scheduled to remain closed through Friday 14 August for Thames Water work.

Hayes Lane and Southend Road: Multi-way signals remain on Hayes Lane for gas work, while two-way signals on Southend Road are due to finish on Friday 7 August.

Planning Watch

Two-storey side extension proposed on Oakhill Road: Plans at 4 Oakhill Road would demolish the detached garage, remove a chimney and add a single-storey rear extension and two-storey side extension. Bromley Council received application 26/03102/HPA on Monday 3 August. View the planning application.

Six-metre rear extension proposed on Aylesford Avenue: A prior-approval application at 45 Aylesford Avenue proposes a single-storey rear extension measuring six metres from the original rear wall and three metres high. Bromley Council received application 26/03121/NOT on Tuesday 4 August. View the planning application.