History
Although a very suburban town with fast rail and bus links to London, Sidcup manages to retain its countryside charm with it's many open spaces and historical sites in the area. The origin of the name Sidcup is derived from the word Cetecop that is Anglo-Saxon in origin. The word cete means flat or fold while the cop is defined as a hilltop therefore, the word Cetecop is referring to a fold in the hill or a flat hilltop. The town has its first reference in historical records in the year 1254. However, it was considered a part of the parish of Chislehurst until it expanded during the 19th century.
Much of the town's development has been formed around the Blacksmith's located at Cross Road and The Black Horse Pub. Today, Sidcup is a popular suburban town with a well-frequented library and a relatively new leisure-swimming centre with state of the art facilities.
Attractions
More than 10,000 people travel to Sidcup each week for work and leisure. Therefore, there are many attractions available for the average visitor. One of the major attractions is to visit the grounds of some of the manor houses in the area. Some of the manor houses do not exist today or if they do, many have been converted into other uses such as a nursery home or an academic building. However, many of the grounds of the former estates are used frequently as parks and are open for recreational use. Some examples include the Foots Cray Place located in then nearby district of Foots Cray. The manor today no longer exists but the expansive park known as Foots Cray Meadow still exists. Today, the park is popular with dog owners as well as runners or walkers interested in tackling the London Loop. The London Loop runs to this park and continues onto Sidcup Park at Sidcup Place, another garden popular for relaxation and recreational use. A popular feature of the garden to visit is the 18th century five arches bridge.
For those interested in history, the Chislehurst caves are an interesting attraction to visit. The caves show a glimpse of life during the raids of World War II. The caves were used as an emergency shelter throughout the war. There are also many churches in the general area that are open to the public such as St. John's Church and Christ Church. St. John's Church for example is known throughout the general area for having one of the best collections of stained glass windows.
Food and Lodgings
Although Sidcup is a very suburban town, there is a variety of lodging available. These types of accommodations vary from self-catering accommodation, Bed and Breakfasts or hotels and guesthouses located in the many historic manors that surround the town.
For food, there are many options available such as tea salons with traditional English fare as well as a couple of ethnic restaurants and food chains. The variety of options is due to the popularity of the town for work and recreational reasons as well the student presence in town with its two colleges.
In addition, exploring the local villages such as Blackfen, Foots Cray, Longlands, and Lamorbey, which are now technically part of the Sidcup district, are also good places to explore for dining options.
Accommodation in Sidcup
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