Bleak Day, New Cross

Catherine Penfold-Waxman: 15th Nov 2005 - 00:06 GMT

Did you eat Battenburg cake? I like the idea of dicing up New Cross into easily consumed pieces.

elaine: 15th Nov 2005 - 08:14 GMT

hee hee, that would cheer up new cross no end. it's one of those places which is fine once you get off the main roads, but the traffic is relentlessly heavy, and certainly if you are going to goldsmiths from either of the stations it's all about navigating those roads. i had a happy time while i was there but the short walk from the station was always grim. the supermarket is new, but it does nothing to leven the feel of the place

indykid: 15th Nov 2005 - 10:31 GMT

Went through New Cross a few weeks ago on the way to Waterloo East, think someone had thrown themselves under a train. There was huge delays, a lot of Ambulances, and a group of concerned police peering over the edge of one of the platforms.

elaine: 15th Nov 2005 - 18:40 GMT

if you were already suicidally bent i think new cross could send you over the edge

hoopoe7: 29th Jan 2006 - 12:17 GMT

I won't have it said! New Cross is one of the most marvelous places to live in London! Cute victorian station one stop from Ldn Bridge, Beautiful victorian and georgian conservation areasfor housing and still cheap. Also vibrant, and artsy. OK, the main drag is a little tough on the old retina. And soul. But find telegraph hill / derivate off Lewisham way on foot towards Brockley and there are some superb bits. Beautiful old higglety pigglety houses with a fair whack of green surrounding them...

elaine: 30th Jan 2006 - 20:28 GMT

well, actually, that is true. those long wide main roads often belie very nice neighbourhoods behind them. i live near cambridge heath road which is filthy and grim, but bethnal green in general is varied and full of interesting bits and bobs

elaine: 30th Jan 2006 - 20:30 GMT

well, actually, that is true. those long wide main roads often belie very nice neighbourhoods behind them. i live near cambridge heath road which is filthy and grim, but bethnal green in general is varied and full of interesting bits and bobs. it's a real shame that the walking bit of a commute often takes in the glum bits

Eileen Banks: 18th Aug 2007 - 03:20 GMT

I used to live in New Cross - opposite the Laurie Grove Baths. I liked it then but expect it has changed.

Vera: 6th Sep 2007 - 15:05 GMT

I did a quick search on New Cross because I'm considering doing a semester abroad at Goldsmiths, and I found this site. From what I've been reading...it sounds like New Cross can be a bit depressing. Should I still consider living and studying there for a few months? I would appreciate any advice you could give :)

anon (82-44-1-121.cable.ubr01.tonb.blueyonder.co.uk): 15th Sep 2007 - 10:21 GMT

I've just started at Goldsmiths. New cross isn't beautiful, but it's fine and your're one dtop from london bridge...about 7mins to get easy access to central london.

alana: 11th Nov 2007 - 13:07 GMT

I am currently applying to universities, and Goldsmiths is my number one choice - the course is perfect and the whole ethos of the place seems to suit me down to the ground. I am so excited about the place. However, a vast majority of my friends and parent's friends have grimanced when i've mentioned New Cross. Is it really that bad? And is it as dangerous a place sas it is perceived to be?

thanks!

Bree: 28th Feb 2008 - 02:07 GMT

I'm considering studing abroad to Goldsmiths in Fall 09 and I am a little discouraged after reading these posts. I am from San Francisco, California and I am studying in Oregon and I NEED to go study abroad at a place which is thriving with art and sparks my passion. I plan on working in a MOMA or being an art teacher for high school. Would Goldsmiths be a good place for me?

barry: 12th Mar 2009 - 23:20 GMT

ive lift here for 26 years its a lovley place ,one minute its like hampstead but then the next and more often its like beruit so if your coming here to feel safe forget it or bring your bullet proof vest

Helen Manning(nee Parkinson): 17th Mar 2009 - 05:59 GMT

I lived in St.Donatts Road for 17 years until 1966 and loved the area, but since driving through in 2007, found the place dirty and scary. Wished I had taken my Dad's advice and remembered it as it was.

ani: 6th Apr 2009 - 06:51 GMT

Arriving from Los Angeles, my first impression after getting off the train at New Cross Gate station was the aroma mixer of barf and urine, also a soft spoken addict sitting on the ground asking for money. Walking down New Cross Rd. on the way to Goldsmiths University, I thought the place was surely haunted... there was this huge old building painted black, at first I thought it was burnt from a fire, but no, it was a music club venue where Cover Bands performed... it since has been rebuilt. After 3 years i did get attached to the place, mainly cuz my art friends were there.. after all it wasn't so different than the art loft district in downtown LA Little Tokyo in the early days b4 the designers took over, when that certain edginess kept us alive and creative.

Shay : 11th Apr 2009 - 23:01 GMT

I have lived in telegraph hill for 26 years and listening to half of the people on this blog I am glad you do not live here, New Cross Gate has a varied group of people living in it just like any part of london. A place is what you make it and barf and urine can be found at holland park stration also. So don't judge a book ! The properties are substantial the transport links are fantastic and I do not own a bullet proof vest, but am street wise and sensible as I would be anywhere. The parks are great and a lot of artist live on the hill it is very cool. So the guy who started this with his dumb pic , get a life, and smile as your outlook goes with you !

Anna: 23rd Apr 2009 - 14:09 GMT

New Cross grows on you. I went to Goldsmiths in the late 1990s and although the area is not picture-perfect, it is (or at least was when I was there) safe and the Telegraph Hill area is just lovely! I live in the southeastern U.S. now and I still miss the great Turkish restaurant across the street from Goldsmiths, what a hidden gem! I can't wait to come back and walk down the memory lane.

Nan: 1st Jun 2009 - 21:35 GMT

My loved ones live in New Cross. So I love the place. It is varied - it is London - it is diverse. Been to Paris, or Berlin, or Vienna, or Rome, or any other major European city? There are good bits and bad bits within 50 yards of one another in each. New Cross has some major London architecture and some excellent pubs and restaurants. Some people need to get real/get a life!

D icky Bird: 4th Jun 2009 - 13:38 GMT

I lived on the Honor Oak estate until I married in 1947. The New Cross area was a happy hunting ground for amusement and seeing the wonderful cinemas and dance hall - the New Cross Palais. However, the war crertaed havoc especially the V2 that dropped on woolworths in New Cross Road opposite the then Deptford Town Hall. When married lived near New Cross gate, easy for travelling. What it is like now, one wonders.

Liz: 5th Jun 2009 - 12:11 GMT

I'm thinking of moving to New Cross Gate,Musgrove Road off Jerningham Road..it seems like a lovely quiet, leafy area and I'm glad I'll be fairly close to the park.Is this area fairly safe? I'm just thinking ahead to the walk home from the station, sometimes late at night..any thoughts welcome!

Tara: 2nd Jul 2009 - 15:49 GMT

I'm thinking of renting a place in New cross gate,near the park. I'm also concerned about it being safe as i'm a single female and i commute work very early in the morning, while its very definately still dark. Can anyone shed some light on this topic??

Len Turner : 12th Jul 2009 - 19:59 GMT

I played with my band, Len Turner and His Music at the New Cross Palais from 1954 - 1957. My wife came from Brockley. It was a pretty rough area but the people were super!

kelly: 27th Jul 2009 - 15:07 GMT

i lived in newcross growing up i miss it loads i loved deptford green school. i was deverstated when i moved to newcastle from a place where all my pals where. but looking at pics and hearing reviews it sounds ike a dump now im glad to be away and all of my mates have moved away aswell.

Franck: 28th Jul 2009 - 10:35 GMT

I lived in Malpas Road in 1999 and 2000 and I have to say I loved this place. You are not far from central London by train and from Greenwich (nice park, market and museums...).

anon (host-84-9-41-243.dslgb.com): 13th Aug 2009 - 14:48 GMT

I moved to Brighton six years ago but spent my first 18 years living in Amersham Rd, New Cross. For culture and things to do the places are really not so different (I just think you have to seek them out more in New Cross). But I do miss the seaside air when I visit my mum in New Cross. I definitely hate Lewisham Way and New Cross Road as they're through roads but the major roads of any town are usually not the highlight.

In my opinion, the three best things about the place are: firstly, its mix of people who live side by side and on the most part get along - I've never encountered any problems on its streets and neither has my brother. Secondly, the affordable old houses with bags of character just one stop from London Bridge and a 20 minute walk from Greenwhich and Blackheath. And thirdly, Telegraph hill - quiet roads with beautiful houses and lots of lovely greenery nearby.

Anon: 6th Nov 2009 - 01:43 GMT

My friends and I were just mugged at knife point on Jerningham road off of thhe main new cross road.we are students living in new cross. Goldsmiths is a good uni but please if u can help it DO NOT COME HERE ORMOVE HERE. and if u r a nice well brought up person perhaps coming from a non-London nicce area- u will shoot urself!!that's if someone else doesn't do it first .