020 8077 8968The London Borough of Bexley is situated in south-east London and it was formed in 1965. Bexley London Borough Council is the local authority, and the administrative centre is located in Bexleyheath. Borough Bexley has 21 wards. The borough and its major centres can be divided into two parts; one is old establishment filled with villages, while other part is filled with suburban houses. Apart from housing, the borough has over a hundred parks and open spaces, including Hall Place Gardens, Lesnes Abbey Woods and Danson Park. Borough Bexley has population about 232,000.
Here are some of the districts within the borough.
Barnehurst is an electoral ward and the district within the Borough of Bexley. The name of the district comes from the name of the railway station, given by a local property owner Colonel Barne who was a vice-chairman of the railway company. The area is connected by Barnehurst railway station, whose opening encouraged infrastructural growth. One of the most popular landmarks of Barnehurst is the Red Barn pub, which is believed to be crucial for survival of jazz after WWII (thanks to the pianist George Webb).
Barnes Cray is an industrial and residential district within the Borough of Bexley. It is believed that the area was the site of a medieval manor house, Ellam. The origin of the name Barnes Cray comes from the Barne family that used to live in the area in 18th century. The area became industrialised in the second half of 19th century, thanks to the development of the railway and the proximity to river. One of popular sites in the district is the iron church of All Saints, built in 1917.
Bexley is a district located in the London Borough of Bexley and it used to be an ancient parish in the county of Kent. After the suburban growth and increase of population, the district became a municipal borough in 1935. In 1866, the Bexley station was opened, and the nearby places started to expand. One of the most popular landmarks in Bexley is the Anglican St. Mary’s Church, where scientist Henry Oldenburg was buried.
Bexleyheath is a district of the Borough of Bexley, located in south east London. Back in the 19th century, the district had only few buildings, whose residents depended on Bexleyheath windmill. In 1831, the district had the population about 2000 and it had a market and a church, until the Red House was built in 1859. This valuable Arts and Crafts building was created by the designer William Morris and the architect Philip Webb. The building is known as the one of the most important examples of British architecture of the 19th century. The district was called Bexley New Town, until 1895, when Bexleyheath station opened.
Blackfen is a residential area located in the London Borough of Bexley. The name of the district comes from the word “blackfen”, which means a black area. The place is known for its dark soil which is prone to flooding. Conventional British house design is dominant. One of the most popular historic pubs is the George Staples, built in 1845. It used to be called the Woodman.
Crayford is the district within the Borough of Bexley, and it is the main industrial zone in the borough. Mentioned in the Doomsday Book, this town is interesting because of the Manor Houses built in the Middle Ages; Howbury Manor and Crayford Manor House (formerly known as the Newbery Manor). N 1866, the Crayford station opened. During the First World War, there was a company that produced machine guns and other armaments, where about 14000 workers were employed. Did you know that a famous ghost story writer and journalist, Algernon Blackwood, used to live in Crayford Manor House?
Crook Log is a district within the Borough of Bexley and it is known for the Crook Log Inn, a restaurant and a sport centre. The building dates from 1808, and it was renovated and expanded in 2005. Another landmark of the area is the Edward Alderton Theatre, as well as the Old Baths, a leisure centre. Famous actor Roger Moore is a former resident of Crook Log.