Opened in 1871 by the South East Railway Company, it was actually provided at this location as a land owner requested it. A station building was put on the London bound side and it had an ornate canopy across the platforms.
The station became a junction in 1878 when the Bromley branch line came into use. By 1899, it had increased to 6 platforms, and a total remodelling of the trackwork came in the early 1900’s
It only had one goods siding, which was eventually removed in 1961, and in 1962 the Hither Green power box opened and the signal box at Grove Park was closed.
Further alterations to the station occurred in the mid 1970s, with the canopies replaced with metal ones, and so at least at platform level, the station lost its charm.
A short distance away from the station is the Railway Children walk. The author of the book lived in Grove Park, and I was expecting something a little more spectacular, but it is just a small walkway, which does however take you over a bridge spanning Grove Park Carriage Sidings.
At time of writing, there are 4 trains per hour to London, and 4 trains per hour towards Orpington, 2 of which then carry on to Sevenoaks. There are also trains along the Bromley branch at the rate of 2 per hour. Peak times and Sundays vary.
For the enthusiast, there is a lot of traffic, and views away from the station are particularly good, especially towards Orpington.
Entry and exits for 2021 / 2022 were 1, 583, 636
A video from the station in 2022 is below :
Many thanks for reading, and remember if you can :
“Get out there, get on the railway, and see where it takes you” ©
Rainham Rail Enthusiast 