Chinbrook sits 14km southeast of Charing Cross in Zone 4. Welham Jones funeral directors serve this area from their Bromley branch, 15 minutes by car from the main crossroads. Transport links work well. Schools are decent. Healthcare covers basics.
Most people haven’t heard of Chinbrook until they need to live here or visit someone who does.
It’s tucked between Grove Park and Mottingham in southeast London. The name comes from “Chin Brook,” what locals called the River Quaggy back in 1900 [1]. Not exactly poetic, but there you go.
The area works for families who want reasonable house prices without living in the middle of nowhere. You get buses, trains, schools, a GP surgery, some shops. Nothing fancy, but the basics function properly.
Until the 1870s this was just farmland. Chinbrook Farm ran dairy cows where people now live in houses and flats [2].
Grove Park station opened in 1871. That changed everything. Developers started building houses for middle-class families who could afford the train fare to London jobs. By 1885 about fifty houses were occupied, mostly along what’s now Baring Road and Chinbrook Road [3].
The big change came in the 1920s. Lewisham Council needed housing for working families. They built the Grove Park Estate between 1926 and 1929, terraced houses, some semi-detached, nothing too grand [4].
Chinbrook Meadows started as an 8-acre playground in 1929. The council bought more land. By 1937 it was 31 acres of proper parkland [5].
Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived on Chinbrook Road from 1972 to 1975. He was curate at St Augustine’s Church then. There’s a peace garden in the meadows now with his name on it [6]. Most residents probably don’t know this.
Zone 4 means your Oyster card won’t cost a fortune. Grove Park station sits half a mile west of the main crossroads [7].
Grove Park station runs trains to London all day [8]:
Sunday service drops to half-hourly. No service to Bromley North on Sundays either.
Platform 1 for Bromley North requires stairs – no lift. Platforms 2-5 have step-free access from the main entrance [9]. If you use a wheelchair, check which train you need before travelling.
The B226 goes east-west through Chinbrook. West takes you to Grove Park and the A2212. Northeast gets you to Mottingham. Marvels Lane runs north-south – connects to Burnt Ash Hill if you’re heading towards Lee [10].
Rush hour gets busy on the main roads. Side roads stay quieter.
Five bus routes serve the crossroads area [11]:
Night bus N136 runs late-night services to central London. Useful if you work hospitality or go out drinking.
The shopping happens at the crossroads on Chinbrook Road. It’s basic but covers what you need day-to-day.
Costcutter on the corner works as the main supermarket. Small but stocks essentials [12]. Other shops include:
Location: Chinbrook Road Shopping Parade, SE12 9QL [Map]
Don’t expect Waitrose or John Lewis. This covers basics like milk, bread, emergency groceries. For proper food shopping you’ll need Grove Park or drive to a retail park.
Grove Park Tavern used to sit on the northeast corner of the crossroads. Decent pub with a garden. Got demolished in the late 1990s for retirement flats [13].
Locals still call the crossroads “Grove Park Tavern” even though nothing’s there except old people’s apartments.
For actual pubs you need to travel, Grove Park centre or Mottingham have options within walking distance.
Brook Pharmacy at 109 Chinbrook Road handles prescriptions and basic health stuff [14].
Location: 109 Chinbrook Road, SE12 9QL [Map]
Chinbrook Meadows makes up for a lot of what the area lacks elsewhere. Thirty-one acres of parkland with the River Quaggy running through it [15].
Sports facilities include:
Location: Chinbrook Meadows, Chinbrook Road, SE12 [Map]
The playground gets busy after school and weekends. Tennis courts need booking but usually available. Football pitches get used by local teams, sometimes difficult to find space for casual games.
In the 1960s they stuck the River Quaggy in a concrete channel with fences. Looked terrible. In 2002 they spent £1.1 million putting it back to looking like an actual river [16].
Now it meanders naturally with wooden bridges. Kids play in it when parents aren’t watching. It floods sometimes but that’s the point, protects houses downstream.
Two long-distance paths go through the meadows:
Both continue south through Grove Park Cemetery to Elmstead Wood. Proper countryside feel without leaving London.
Grove Park Carnival happens annually in the meadows. Features Chinbrook Dog Show, live music, local food stalls [17]. Free entry. Gets busy but parking becomes impossible.
Friends of Chinbrook Meadows organise volunteer days, apple picking, Wassail celebrations. Good if you want to meet neighbours [18].
Two primary schools serve the area. Both get reasonable Ofsted ratings.
Edward Dove runs this place. School motto: “Be The Best That They Can Be” [19]. Covers nursery through Year 6. Has a children’s centre attached.
Location: Riddons Road, Grove Park, SE12 9RA [Map]
Takes kids from diverse backgrounds. Good pastoral care according to parents. Check their website for current admission criteria.
Classes named after London Underground stations. Real tube carriage in the playground, kids love it [20].
Location: Pragnell Road, Grove Park, SE12 0LF [Map]
Focuses on London identity and diversity. Seven core values including Love, Respect, Honesty. Mission statement: “All different, All equal, All smiling.”
Knights Academy (used to be Malory School) provides secondary education [21]. Mixed results historically. Check latest Ofsted reports before making decisions.
Many families look at grammar schools in Bromley or pay for private education if they can afford it.
Most of Chinbrook falls under Lewisham Council (SE12 postcode). Parts near the crossroads come under Bromley Council (SE9 postcode) [22].
This creates confusion for council services. Check which authority covers your specific address.
Grove Park Community Group formed in 1972 to fight motorway proposals. They won. Still active on local issues [23].
Friends of Chinbrook Meadows maintain the park, organise events, lobby for improvements. Volunteer if you care about green spaces [24].
Two branches in Grove Park:
Both handle standard postal services, banking, government forms.
When someone dies in Chinbrook, Welham Jones handles the funeral arrangements from our Bromley and Chislehurst branch.
Mac Jones and Simon Welham started the company in 1992. Rebecca Welham joined in 2010, became Director in 2021 [25]. Three generations now involved.
We know southeast London. Understand local customs, work with area churches, deal with transport problems that affect funeral timing.
Chinbrook families often have relatives scattered across London and beyond. We understand:
Thirty years serving this area means we’ve handled thousands of funerals. Experience counts when families need everything done properly.
We offer everything from basic cremations to full traditional funerals.
Funeral packages and prices start with Essential services, go up to Premium options. All costs shown upfront. No hidden charges appear later.
Pre-paid funeral plans let you fix today’s prices for future services. Pay monthly or lump sum. Money held in trust – completely secure.
We arrange services at local crematoria (Honor Oak, Eltham) and burial grounds including Grove Park Cemetery. Repatriation services available for families with international connections.
Coffins and caskets range from traditional oak to eco-friendly cardboard and wicker. Memorials and tributes and items of remembrance create lasting memories.
Care after death starts immediately. Call any time – someone answers, not an answering machine. We remove pressure from families during shock and grief.
Obituaries published online. Live streaming available for relatives who can’t travel. Particularly useful for Chinbrook’s diverse community with overseas family.
Our branch sits 15-20 minutes from Chinbrook by car.
From Chinbrook’s main area, getting to our Chislehurst funeral home is straightforward and takes about 15-20 minutes by car. Start by heading southeast on Marvels Lane towards Grove Park Road (B226), you’ll travel about 0.3 miles before turning left onto Dunkery Road.
Follow Dunkery Road for just under a mile. This takes you through the residential areas between Chinbrook and Mottingham. When you reach the junction, turn right onto Mottingham Road, which is the A208. Stay on the A208 as it continues, this is your main route and covers about 0.8 miles.
Once you’re on the A208, look out for Albany Road on your left after about 0.8 miles. Turn left here and follow Albany Road for roughly 200 yards until you reach Green Lane (B263). Turn right onto Green Lane.
Our funeral home sits just 100 yards down Green Lane on the left-hand side. You’ll see the sign for Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials at 4 Belmont Parade. The total journey covers about 2.3 miles and usually takes 15-20 minutes depending on traffic through Mottingham.
Parking is available directly outside our premises, so you don’t need to worry about finding street parking during your visit.
Address: 4 Belmont Parade, Green Lane, Chislehurst BR7 6AN Phone: 020 8467 2222 [Map]
Parking available at our premises. No need to worry about meters or time limits.
Bus 273 runs direct from Chinbrook to Chislehurst (25 minutes). Or train from Grove Park to Elmstead Woods, then bus 61.
Less convenient than driving but works if you don’t have a car.
Several churches serve Chinbrook residents.
Pentecostal church on Mayeswood Road, backs onto Chinbrook Meadows. Part of Elim Church network. Rev Rowland Henshaw leads services [26].
Location: 72A Mayeswood Rd, London SE12 9RP [Map]
Church of England at 336 Baring Road. Serves broader Grove Park area. Where Archbishop Tutu worked as curate in the 1970s [27].
Charismatic church at 20 The Green, Downham Way. Part of New Frontiers network.
We maintain good relationships with local clergy across all denominations. Handle religious requirements, coordinate timing, arrange appropriate music and readings.
Opened 1935, sits just south of Chinbrook on Marvels Lane. English Heritage listed the grounds as Grade II landscape [28].
Location: Marvels Lane, Grove Park, SE12 [Map]
Contains 56 Commonwealth war graves from World War II. Screen Wall memorial lists those without individual headstones.
Mature trees include Norway maple, oak, horse-chestnut. Wildflower areas support local wildlife. Creates peaceful setting for memorial visits [29].
Green Chain Walk runs along cemetery boundary. Connects to Chinbrook Meadows and Elmstead Woods for longer walks.
GP practice at 32 Chinbrook Road. Two doctors serve local patients. ICO Health Group operates the practice [30].
Address: 32 Chinbrook Road, SE12 9TH Phone: 020 8857 4660 [Map]
Care Quality Commission rated it “Good” in recent inspection. Handles routine healthcare, minor injuries, prescription management.
Alternative GP services at 2 Handen Road. Multiple practices operate from this site [31] [Map].
Metropolitan Police cover Chinbrook from Lewisham and Bromley stations. London Fire Brigade responds from Lee Green or Bromley. London Ambulance Service aims for Category 1 emergency response under 7 minutes.
University Hospital Lewisham provides nearest A&E. Bus 136 from Grove Park gets you there. Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley offers backup emergency services.
Southeastern Railway services occasionally disrupted by snow, ice, flooding. Bus services usually continue except during severe weather.
Local roads cope reasonably with winter conditions. Marvels Lane can get slippery, it’s on a slope.
Spring brings garden projects in Chinbrook Meadows. Summer means Grove Park Carnival and outdoor activities. Autumn features Apple Day in the community orchard. Winter includes Wassail celebrations and Christmas events.
Weather affects graveside services more than cremations. We provide:
Twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year. From our Bromley branch we typically reach Chinbrook within 30-45 minutes of your call.
Everything from direct cremation to full traditional funerals with burial. Religious or secular services. Woodland burials. Green funerals. Memorial services at various venues across southeast London.
We work with all cultural backgrounds. Understand religious customs, family traditions, cultural preferences. Every service reflects your loved one’s life and your family’s wishes.
Transparent pricing starts with essential services at competitive rates. No hidden costs. Flexible payment options available. Contact us for personalised quotes based on your requirements.
Yes. We work regularly with Word of Life Church, St Augustine’s, and other local places of worship. Handle religious service coordination, church scheduling, all practical arrangements.
Pre-paid plans secure current prices for future services. Funds held in trust for complete security. Pay monthly or lump sum. Removes financial worry from families when needed.
Ongoing assistance includes probate help, memorial arrangements, annual remembrance services, bereavement counselling referrals. Our relationship continues beyond the funeral.
Live streaming available for overseas relatives or those unable to travel. Particularly valuable for Chinbrook’s diverse community with international family connections.
Extensive experience with Grove Park Cemetery and other local burial grounds. Handle grave selection, memorial permits, ongoing headstone maintenance.
Call our 24/7 number immediately. We guide you through necessary steps, arrange professional care, handle formalities including emergency service liaison. You’re never alone.
[1] “Chinbrook,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook
[2] “Chinbrook Meadows,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook_Meadows
[3] “A Short History of Grove Park,” Grove Park Community Group, https://gpcg.org.uk/about/a-short-history-of-grove-park/
[4] “A Short History of Grove Park,” Grove Park Community Group, https://gpcg.org.uk/about/a-short-history-of-grove-park/
[5] “Chinbrook Meadows,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook_Meadows
[6] “Local Organisations & Community Assets,” Grove Park Community Group, https://gpcg.org.uk/category/community-assets/
[7] “Chinbrook,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook
[8] “Grove Park railway station,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grove_Park_railway_station
[9] “Grove Park Station,” National Rail, https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/grove-park/
[10] “Chinbrook,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook
[11] “Chinbrook,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook
[12] “Chinbrook,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook
[13] “Chinbrook,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook
[14] “Chinbrook Road, London,” London Online, https://www.londononline.co.uk/area/Chinbrook_Road_SE12/
[15] “Chinbrook Meadows,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook_Meadows
[16] “Chinbrook Meadows,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook_Meadows
[17] “Grove Park Carnival,” Grove Park Carnival, https://groveparkcarnival.co.uk/
[18] “Friends of Chinbrook Meadows,” Friends of Chinbrook Meadows, https://chinbrookmeadows.wordpress.com/
[19] “Marvels Lane Primary School,” Marvels Lane Primary School, https://www.marvelslane.lewisham.sch.uk/
[20] “Coopers Lane Primary School,” Coopers Lane Primary School, https://cooperslane.lewisham.sch.uk/
[21] “Grove Park, Lewisham,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grove_Park,_Lewisham
[22] “Chinbrook,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook
[23] “A Short History of Grove Park,” Grove Park Community Group, https://gpcg.org.uk/about/a-short-history-of-grove-park/
[24] “Friends of Chinbrook Meadows,” Friends of Chinbrook Meadows, https://chinbrookmeadows.wordpress.com/
[25] “Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials History & Heritage,” Welham Jones, http://welhamjones.co.uk/about-us/our-history/
[26] “Chinbrook,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinbrook
[27] “Grove Park, Lewisham,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grove_Park,_Lewisham
[28] “Grove Park Cemetery,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grove_Park_Cemetery
[29] “Grove Park Cemetery and Chinbrook Community Orchard,” GiGL, https://www.gigl.org.uk/sinc/lebii07/
[30] “ICO Health Group – Chinbrook Surgery,” Care Quality Commission, https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-541888168
[31] “Search results,” Bexley Care Services and Resources, https://careservices.bexley.gov.uk/Search?CategoryId=198&Postcode=SE12
The location is easy. Deciding the flower arrangements, slightly trickier. But, when planning a funeral, we hear many family members say that writing the eulogy is the hardest part. Where do I start? What are people expecting me to say? How can I possibly epitomise an entire life in just one speech? With over thirty years of experience helping families across West Kent and South East London arrange funerals, we know how daunting this task can be. That’s why we’ve put together a practical guide, with tips to help you write and deliver a eulogy that truly honours your loved one.
