Beyond the Bypass: The History of Barkingside and Why It’s Your Ideal Driving Classroom
Barkingside, located within the London Borough of Redbridge, is a charming, largely residential suburb with a history that predates much of modern London’s development. It maintains a distinct local character that offers a surprisingly robust environment for aspiring drivers.
Barkingside: A Journey Through Time
The history of Barkingside is less about grand historical events and more about gradual community growth, shaped by philanthropic effort and urban expansion.
Rural Roots and Philanthropy
Historically, Barkingside was a hamlet within the ancient parish of Great Ilford (which itself was part of Barking). For centuries, it was a quiet, rural area dominated by farms and open fields. The name itself is thought to refer simply to the ‘side’ or ‘area’ of Barking.
The most significant historical landmark and defining feature of Barkingside is the presence of Barnardo’s. In the late 19th century, Dr. Thomas John Barnardo established his famous children’s charity here. The first Village Home for girls opened in 1876, followed by a larger complex of cottages designed to house and educate thousands of vulnerable children. This massive humanitarian project transformed the area, bringing infrastructure and a sense of purpose. The Dr. Barnardo’s Garden Village remains a central part of Barkingside’s identity today.
Suburban Growth
Like its neighbours, Barkingside’s major growth spurt occurred with improved transport links. The extension of the Central line deep into Essex in the 1940s, and the opening of Barkingside station, made the area a viable and popular location for suburban living. Post-war development replaced much of the remaining farmland with the housing estates that form the modern community, while retaining green spaces like the large, recreational area of Fairlop Waters Country Park nearby.
Why You Should Learn to Drive in Barkingside
While many learners flock to busier urban centres, Barkingside offers a unique blend of road conditions that provide an exceptional, comprehensive training ground for new drivers. It balances complexity with calmer areas, making it an ideal place to build confidence progressively.
The Driving Advantage
- Progressive Learning Environment: Barkingside offers the perfect gradient for learning. You can start on quiet, wide residential roads to master basic car control and manoeuvres, and gradually progress to the High Street’s busier traffic and the surrounding A-roads.
- A Balance of Challenges: The area is a fantastic mix of road types. You will practice navigating typical urban challenges: parked cars on narrow roads, complex mini-roundabouts, and busy junctions, as well as accessing faster, multi-lane routes like the nearby A12 and Eastern Avenue.
- Familiarity with Test Routes: Barkingside is close to the Goodmayes Driving Test Centre and the Wanstead Test Centre. Local driving instructors are experts on the specific routes used by examiners, meaning your lessons will be tailored to the exact scenarios you will face on your test day.
- Manoeuvre-Friendly Locations: Unlike central London, Barkingside still offers accessible, quiet industrial or residential areas perfect for perfecting parallel parking, bay parking, and turning the car around without the intense pressure of constant through-traffic.
Learning to drive in Barkingside means gaining exposure to London-level complexity while still having the space and environment to learn safely and systematically. You’ll build the situational awareness needed to be a safe, confident driver anywhere in the UK.