The town came into being after the sale of land in 1881 to build the Bexleyheath loop line between Lewisham and Dartford.

[2] As in much of suburban London, Barnehurst railway station was opened to encourage building of houses.

A key landmark, just west of the station, is the Red Barn pub, a venue important to the survival of jazz in Britain immediately following the Second World War, largely due to the enthusiasm of pianist George Webb.

Several bus routes serve the area, all provided by Transport for London.

These connect Barnehurst with areas including Bexleyheath, Blackheath, Erith, Lewisham, Sidcup, Thamesmead, Welling and Woolwich.