Theydon Bois, on the edge of northeast London, is remarkable for something very special — the near total absence of any street lighting. This is a photo of a row of shops, and while they glow brightly at night, notice the lack of street lights.
The rest of Theydon Bois is the same, without the shops of course, and hence it’s a remarkable place to visit after dark, as it’s one of the best places to go star gazing.
On a clear night of course.
Quite why Theydon Bois is so dark and lacking in street lights seems a bit difficult to pin down definitively, although according to an article published in 2017, when the UK started rolling out a national electricity network as it reached Theydon Bois, the locals rejected the plans to add street lights as the cost came from their local rates.
Over the years, although the cost of street lighting is now funded by wider council taxes, local petitions to add street lights have been lost by the pro-lighting lobby as the majority of locals prefer the uniquely dark patch of the urban landscape.
A visit to Theydon Bois is to depart a fairly normal looking tube station and walk down a normal street with street lights as you might expect, but turn a corner, and you immediately sense something is different. There’s a glowing pub and a restaurant to keep things lit, but it’s already noticeably darker, but not so much that you could almost fail to notice the lack of light pollution in the air.
It’s when you get into the village proper that you really start to notice the darkness, and it’s profoundly noticeable on the side streets. Not narrow side streets that might be expected to lack street lights, but full proper roads lined with houses all without the orange glow from a line of lamps above.
This is the moment you start to go ohhhh, and really pay attention to the darkness. Stars above your head usually blasted out of existence by street lamps are now visible as bright glowing dots in the skies.
It’s not total darkness though, even away from the main road, as here, there is something else that dates back to the times before widespread street lighting — and that’s lighting on houses.
It was once expected that homes would assist in lighting streets by leaving a lantern outside or lighting up their front rooms on the ground floor. For example, in 1417, the Lord Mayor of London, Henry Barton passed a rule that houses had to hang lights outside homes during the winter months.
While not a formal rule, here in Theydon Bois, the social benefit of houses having their own lighting is not just decorative, but also gives just about enough light to see the pavements. Some houses had harsh nasty spot lamps, others were more security oriented with lamps that flooded the area as you walk past.
The best were the houses where people have been a bit more decorative and used the architecture of the house to create a very pleasing effect.
Where most of London has a flood of orange light bleeding away the colour and detail from the urban landscape, Theydon Bois is filled with droplets of architectural lighting delight as you wander around. The Tesco Express is municipally lit in garish cold lights, while The Bull pub exudes a warm rich glow that’s very inviting, especially on a cold night when the stars are bright.
Thanks to the lack of street lights getting in the way, a local astronomy group is able to hold regular star gazing events, taking advantage of the darkness.
Wandering around the village it felt sureal, that exciting unusual experience that can be had when out for a walk when there’s a power cut. But here, it’s normal. People streaming out of the tube station didn’t seem to be bothered or taking extra care in the darkness.
Obviously, some armchair experts who don’t live there will worry about crime, but if that were a problem, don’t you think the locals will have noticed?
So Theydon Bois remains a village trapped in a century old appearance as street lamps remain banished and each evening, a comforting darkness falls soothing the eyes in a world that’s usually flooded with light.
Keep an eye out for a cloudless night and pop along to pay a visit, it’s a magical experience.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am off out to go and cut down some street lights where I live.
The one part of Theydon Bois that has street lamps
Love this website – lots of brilliant reads and always happy to see articles roll round again at times of huge topicality.
I am from Theydon Bois, as I understand it it was thought that the lighting would “detract from the village feel”; although I may have been fed false information.
The skies are fairly dark, but could be darker. Theydon Bois is situated very close to the picturesque M11/M25 interchange and there is a lot of sky glow from the well lit junction, and of course there is London to the South.
One has to delve deeper into the darkness when looking for a comet.
Not the first thing that will come into others’ minds, but shouldn’t this village be littered with 30 mph repeater signs if there is no street lighting? A quick look on Streetview suggests it is not!
No, the locals don’t like too much street furniture either!
Theydon Bois actually has a recorded Dark Skies Policy which was included in our Village Design Statement of some years ago. Some believe this helps keep crime low. Long may it last.
Street lights assist crime. They illuminate victims from a long way off and provide contrastingly dark side alleys for criminals to lurk in and commit crimes unobserved.
It’s beautifully lit up, if you go there just before “christmas” – fairy lights everywhere …
But otherwise, as you say.
Lovely
Given that scientists attribute part of the decline in insect numbers to street lighting, is Theyden Bois particularly friendly to moths etc? In south London I hear birds sing at all times of the night, I wonder if the lack of lighting is good for them too. Mind you, I don’t think I’d feel very safe walking home at night.
It’s Theydon Bois not The Bronx.
That said always good to keep one’s RADAR on no matter where one is.
Looks lovely. Similar to Chorleywood.
Isn’t there a lovely place nearby called Ayrbridge?
I agree Anna, I wouldn’t feel safe walking home after dark either and as Eugene’s comment is a form of gaslighting, ignore it, as I’m sure you will have already.
I’ve been living in Theydon Bois for 52 years and have always walked around in the dark,usually on my own, without any trouble or fear. Now, because of my age, I take a torch, as the pavements aren’t exactly in good order and I don’t want to trip. We have always rejected the petition to have streetlights because of the costs to residents, and we like the village as it is.
When, I next come to London, I’m up for one in The Bull. Does Walter Gabriale still pop in for one?
Country Boy or is that Boi.
Having grown up there it was always the choice over the years to not have lighting, there was always a little frisson between those coming in and wanting it and the old residents.
It’s interesting that those who live there now still choose it as many of the original, my parents etc always thought it would come eventually.
My first experience of Theydon Bois was in 1967 when I took my then girlfriend (now wife )home to Theydon, as I was living in East Ham it came as quite a shock not to have street lighting.
Great that Theydon has avoided Londonisation. But a shame to see some houses undoing the good work, sprouting those wretched bow-tie vanity lights that shine directly upwards.
And why do LED streetlights have to be the unpleasant blue-white colour that’s bad for circadian rhythms of humans and wildlife rather than the friendly warm white used in other countries?
As Theydon residents since 2009 we’ve seen many, not all positive, changes. Yes, it’s good to be able to see the sky and stars at night, though it can be blurred by the drift of M11/M25 lighting. Walking home from the station used to be a challenge, but it’s simple to get to know where to find the bollards.
Cars are a problem, with the road through the village now seen as a racing track. And especially in the dark that’s a serious issue for pedestrians. Parking is a nightmare. Too many 4×4 drivers who have little knowledge or care about double yellow lines or disabled spaces.
Crime is increasing, burglary and car. Ask any resident.
But it is a village, our village, complete with duck pond and green and long may it stay so. More positives than negatives.
Finally, a torch is essential outdoor wear!!
I believe Abridge is also without street lights, but it is near Theydon Bois.
Many years ago as a young man I met a girl at a disco near the Tottenham Court Road. Partly to
Impress her at the end of the evening i rashly offered to take her home. Thinking it was nearer than it was I insisted. Wished I hadn’t really. It was Theydon Bois and it turned out to be the back of beyond. Another planet. One hour it says on Google. Felt like much more especially having to come home in the middle of the night.
It was the end of a beautiful relationship. I never went back. It was very dark as I recall.
Is it a coincidence that they mentioned the lack of street lights in Theydon Bois on QI XL later on Friday?
Being of a certain age, when I hear the name I always think of “Theydon Bois on guitar, niiiice!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsQYzpOHpik
If you like dark skies places, and you live on the train lines that go through Bromley South, then take the Blackfriars-Sevenoaks service, which every half hour stops at Shoreham, Kent. It’s a superb spot for star gazing and has some great pubs. The villagers are passionate about keeping the streets dark at night – so bring a torch! The train takes you from the heart of South London, via Peckham Rye, Crofton Park, Catford and before long you’re in unspolied countryside and pretty villages.
I think this town featured in a Ruth Rendall novel I read years ago, or somewhere adjacent on the Central line. I really want visit one day. Just turn up in the dark.
Adding it to my bucket list.