Deptford, SE8

Nestled between Bermondsey and Greenwich in south-east London, Deptford is a vibrant, historic Thames-side town with excellent transport links and a great sense of community.

Set in the northernmost part of the London Borough of Lewisham, the district covers an area of 14 square miles (34.7 square kilometres). It straddles the Lewisham-Greenwich boundary which runs along Watergate Street, Creek Road, Deptford Church Street, Bronze Street, Creekside and Copperas Street to Deptford Creek and the Thames.

Attracting young families, affluent city professionals and students, Deptford has recently overtaken Hackney as one of the most affordable, first-time buyer neighbourhoods.

Deptford residents celebrate the town for its distinctive character shaped by thriving, all-inclusive contemporary urban culture. As a result, the town offers a great environment for contemporary arts, innovative independent workshops, cutting-edge restaurants, and bustling new markets. Deptford has a unique urban habitat made of diverse landscapes including a riverfront, many distinctive parks, and open green spaces, and an authentic creekside nature reserve. 

History

Historic Deptford was part of London Docklands, once the world’s largest port. Occupying a section of the south bank of the River Thames, Deptford covered a strategic, old trading route between London and ports along the Kent and Sussex coasts.  Its historical significance found a place in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales as a site on the pilgrimage route from Canterbury to London.

The name Deptford originates from a ford of the River Ravensbourne, a tributary to the Thames.

Originally a fishing village, Deptford Dockyard, founded by King Henry VII, built and maintained ships from all over the world for over 350 years. Also known as King’s Yard, the dockyard was a place where Francis Drake was knighted by Queen Elizabeth ) in 1581 after he circumnavigated the globe aboard the Golden Hind.

Up until the late 17th century, one of Deptford’s yards belonged to the most powerful of global trading corporations — the East India Company.

Sayers Court manor house in Deptford was home to John Evelyn, a 17th-century diarist, and intellectual.

Peter the Great, the Tsar of Russia studied shipbuilding and navigation in the winter of 1698.

Deptford railway station opened in 1836 on the London to Greenwich line, and it is one of the oldest stations in London. Built in the 1890s Deptford Power Station was one of the biggest in the world providing power until 1983, and was later demolished in 1991-92.

After losing its importance as a naval dockyard, Deptford’s riverfront became a place for various industrial sites. Large social housing changed the district as it became the location for various housing projects. One such scheme is the distinctive Pepys Estate, a self-contained town on the banks of the Thames completed in 1973.

The Deptford town centre has undergone a substantial urban transformation with several public realm and building projects that started in 2008. The town’s new and restored landmarks are Tidemill Academy and Deptford Lounge community hub, Market Square, Frankham Street parking boulevard, Station Square and the historic carriage ramp.

Culture and entertainment

Deptford High Street is a vibrant and very popular commercial destination and was named ‘One of the coolest streets in the world’ by the Time Out Magazine survey in 2022.

Deptford Market Yard offers a great choice of independent shops and restaurants as well as regular live performances and displays from emerging contemporary artists.

Deptford Lounge is an award-winning, creative community hub. This contemporary, multipurpose building has flexible space hosting various events and is home to a public library, computer labs, study areas, a café, and ingenious roof-top ball courts.

The Albany art venue was built for the benefit of the local community in 1894, and today is a multi-purpose creative centre with a modern theatre and art studios.

Overlooking Deptford Creek and Greenwich is Trinity Laban, one of Europe’s leading contemporary dance training institutions and a performance art venue.

Deptford is home to Goldsmiths College, Lewisham College and Creekside Education Centre. Goldsmiths College is part of the University of London and hosts a wealth of free, public events throughout the year. The main college building is Grade II listed (designed by John Shaw in 1843) and is a fine example of the English Renaissance style. Originally, it was home to the Royal Naval School.

St Paul’s Church is a historic landmark in Deptford dating to 1730. This Grade I listed building is one of London’s finest Baroque parish churches. Along with St. Nicholas Church Deptford and the terraces in Albury Street, St Paul’s is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the area.

Deptford has a great network of small-scale urban open spaces including Brookmill Park, Pepys Park, Sayes Court Park, Deptford Park, Margaret McMillan, Ferranti Park, Charlotte Turner Gardens, Twinkle Park and many more.

New Homes and Developments

Deptford Creek was identified in 2004 as an Opportunity Area (OA) with a potential for 5,500 new homes and 3,000 new jobs by 2041. The district is part of the Bakerloo Line Extension Growth Corridor.

Convoys Wharf, also known as King’s Yard, is one of the largest, Thames-side developments in the district. This mixed-use development has planning permission for up to 3,500 new homes, commercial spaces, public squares, and parks. This 16-hectare brownfield site covers a large riverside area (450m of river frontage) and is of historic significance too.

Deptford Landings /The Timberyard, a large residential development close to the Thames.

Deptford Foundry, a mixed-use development in the heart of Deptford.

Union Wharf, on the banks of Deptford Creek near Greenwich’s town centre.

Vive Living Childers Street, a half a mile from Deptford and New Cross stations.

Greenwich Creekside, nearby Deptford Creek and Deptford station.

Distillery Tower, nearby Deptford Bridge DLR station and close to Deptford High Street.

The Deptford Project, a colourful development in the town centre.

Council

Deptford is part of the London Borough of Lewisham. 

For the current Council Tax rates CLICK HERE

Transport (Zone 2)

Deptford, New Cross and Deptford Bridge are three main stations in Deptford.

Depford station is serviced by Southeastern and Thameslink services providing links to all major central London travel hubs inclding London Bridge, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras.

New Cross station is serviced by London Overground and Southeastern trains.

Deptford Bridge station runs London Overground train to Central London and Greenwich and DLR train to Greenwich and Lewisham.

CLICK HERE to get your Deptford property valued.