Erith Area Guide

UK Area Guides

Erith, Greater London

Average2.1

Living in

Erith is on the fringes of South East London, where the capital has encroached on Kent. The area is a mix of industrial and rural land surrounding the town centre, with salt marshes to the east and a riverside high street. The town was mostly built in the Sixties, and the area has a largely suburban feel. Erith is on the receiving end of a lot of recent and ongoing regeneration efforts, which Bexley Council hopes will make it a place to live in its own right rather than a place that is thought of as being on the very fringe of London.

Ratings

Average2.1

Community

Erith is home to a lot of families, and has a fair range of local amenities - including parks and pubs - where locals congregate. It has a very suburban feel, though, and has been undergoing regeneration efforts for many years.

Safety

The 2014/2015 crime rate and violence against the person rate were about the same as the rates for London as a whole - however, the rate of deliberate fires was about three times the London rate. The most common crime types between May 2016 and April 2017 were anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, and vehicle crime.

Parking

It is not especially difficult to own a car in Erith. The rate of car ownership is slightly high for London, at one car per household. Road links - including the A220 fo the A2 - are fairly good.

Nightlife

There are many pubs in Erith, and a few restaurants and bars. Transport links to nightlife areas exist, including night buses, but the journey back from Central London on a night bus is very long.

Family Friendly

Erith offers a good supply of affordable family homes, including many 1960s terraces and semi-detached houses. The area also offers a number of parks and recreation grounds, including Frank's Park, as well as the salt marshes to the East and the long stretch of Thames riverfront. There are several schools in the area, including faith schools. The percentage of children living in Erith is higher than the London rate - about 1 in 4 residents is a child aged 0-15.

Pet Friendly

There are many properties in Erith that would make suitable homes for pets, including a good supply of Sixties terraces and semi-detached houses. Erith has a number of parks, including Frank's Park, as well as the salt marshes to the East and the long stretch of Thames riverfront.

Transport

Erith (Zone 6) is not served by the Tube, but it does have its own rail station, served by Southeastern trains - the journey to London Bridge takes approximately 32 minutes. The area is well-served by local buses, and road links - including the A220 fo the A2 - are fairly good.