Crayford

Rail station, existing between 1866 and now.

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(51.449 0.178, 51.449 0.178) 
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Rail station · * · ·
MARCH
5
2017
Crayford was combined with other local areas to form the London Borough of Bexley in 1965.


Crayford has a long and interesting history. The area was first mentioned in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle (c.891 - 924), which states that the Britons fought the Jutes at the Battle of Creganford in 457. The Domesday Book (1086) records that in Crayford "there is a church", implying that there was a well established settlement in the area by that time. The Norman Church of St Paulinus, which still stands on top of Crayford Hill overlooking the town, was built in 1100.

The original stimulus for settlement in the area was the fact that the River Cray could be forded at this point - and "Cray-ford" became the settlement’s name.

Crayford Manor House stands just to the north-west of St Paulinus Church, probably in roughly the same position as the first manor house, which was established in the 14th century. Crayford actually contained two manors, those of Howbury and Newbury.

Several large houses once stood in the area, including Oakwood, Shenstone and May Place. Little evidence remains of these, although part of the last house called May Place is now incorporated into the clubhouse of Barnehurst Golf Course.

The house was for many years the seat of the lord of the manor and between 1694 and 1707 was the home of Sir Cloudesley Shovell (1650 - 1707), Commander in Chief of the Navy who took part in the capture of Gibraltar in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession. Three years later, after his ship the Association was wrecked off the Isles of Scilly, he was strangled for the rings he wore, by a fisherwoman.

The presence of the river in the town led to the growth of industries such as tanning and silk-making, which need a constant supply of free-flowing fresh water. The tannery has long since gone, but the silk-printing works of David Evans Ltd, established in 1843, remain in the town. Swaislands was another long-established local printing firm. It was taken over by GP & J Baker who closed the works only in 1961.

In the early years of the 19th century the huge armaments firm Vickers, originally from Sheffield, moved into the area. In the few short years of the First World War Vickers’ workforce grew from 300 to 14,000. Vickers built an estate, the Crayford Garden Suburb, to the east of the town to house the armaments workers. Whilst all that remains of the Vickers factory today is the clocktower, surrounded by modern retail development, the houses are still very much in evidence and are sought after as homes because of the quality of construction. This area, which borders on Dartford and the County of Kent, became known as Barnes Cray after a prominent local family (the Barnes).

Other industries in the area included barge building in Crayford Creek, brickmaking and motor-car production by the Siddeley Autocar Company, which had its registered works at Crayford in 1902.

After the First World War the production of armaments was reduced, but industry continued to thrive and the local community prospered on the trade brought to the area as a result of the influx of workers during the war. The Princesses Theatre, opened in 1916 on the riverside, was built specifically to entertain these workers but unfortunately burnt to the ground within six months. It was subsequently rebuilt to exactly the same specifications but presumably with improved fire-protection measures!

In 1920 Crayford became an urban district. As in most other local areas, the 1930s saw a period of busy housebuilding, although this was perhaps not as extensive in Crayford as it was elsewhere. Houses were built mostly by local builders such as New Ideal Homesteads and W.H. Wedlock.

The population in the urban district almost doubled in the 20 years to 1951, from 15,896 in 1931 to 27,950 in 1951.

Housebuilding was interrupted by the Second World War, which affected Crayford badly because the presence of the Royal Arsenal nearby (see Thamesmead) and of the armaments works in the town made Crayford an obvious target for enemy bombers.

The town of Crayford today revolves around the retail trade, and has a large Sainsbury’s hypermarket at its centre. It is home to a substantial commuter population, who travel to London and nearby business and retail centres such as Bexleyheath and the newly opened Bluewater shopping park near Dartford.


Main source: Ideal Homes: Suburbia in Focus | Ideal Homes
Further citations and sources


CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCALITY

None so far :(
LATEST LONDON-WIDE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT

Comment
Wendy    
Added: 22 Mar 2024 15:33 GMT   

Polygon Buildings
Following the demolition of the Polygon, and prior to the construction of Oakshott Court in 1974, 4 tenement type blocks of flats were built on the site at Clarendon Sq/Phoenix Rd called Polygon Buildings. These were primarily for people working for the Midland Railway and subsequently British Rail. My family lived for 5 years in Block C in the 1950s. It seems that very few photos exist of these buildings.

Reply

Steve   
Added: 19 Mar 2024 08:42 GMT   

Road construction and houses completed
New Charleville Circus road layout shown on Stanford’s Library Map Of London And Its Suburbs 1879 with access via West Hill only.

Plans showing street numbering were recorded in 1888 so we can concluded the houses in Charleville Circus were built by this date.

Source: Charleville Circus, Sydenham, London

Reply
Comment
Steve   
Added: 19 Mar 2024 08:04 GMT   

Charleville Circus, Sydenham: One Place Study (OPS)
One Place Study’s (OPS) are a recent innovation to research and record historical facts/events/people focused on a single place �’ building, street, town etc.

I have created an open access OPS of Charleville Circus on WikiTree that has over a million members across the globe working on a single family tree for everyone to enjoy, for free, forever.

Source: Charleville Circus, Sydenham, London

Reply
Comment
Charles   
Added: 8 Mar 2024 20:45 GMT   

My House
I want to know who lived in my house in the 1860’s.

Reply

NH   
Added: 7 Mar 2024 11:41 GMT   

Telephone House
Donald Hunter House, formerly Telephone House, was the BT Offices closed in 2000

Reply
Comment
Paul Cox   
Added: 5 Mar 2024 22:18 GMT   

War damage reinstatement plans of No’s 11 & 13 Aldine Street
Whilst clearing my elderly Mothers house of general detritus, I’ve come across original plans (one on acetate) of No’s 11 & 13 Aldine Street. Might they be of interest or should I just dispose of them? There are 4 copies seemingly from the one single acetate example. Seems a shame to just junk them as the level of detail is exquisite. No worries if of no interest, but thought I’d put it out there.

Reply
Comment
Diana   
Added: 28 Feb 2024 13:52 GMT   

New Inn Yard, E1
My great grandparents x 6 lived in New Inn Yard. On this date, their son was baptised in nearby St Leonard’s Church, Shoreditch

Source: BDM London, Cripplegate and Shoreditch registers written by church clerk.

Reply
Comment
Vic Stanley   
Added: 24 Feb 2024 17:38 GMT   

Postcose
The postcode is SE15, NOT SE1

Reply


NEARBY STREETS
Acorn Road, DA1 Acorn Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Alcock Crescent, DA1 Alcock Crescent is a road in the DA1 postcode area (Crayford)
Alderman Close, DA1 Alderman Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Alfriston Close, DA1 Alfriston Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Appledore Avenue, DA7 Appledore Avenue was built as part of the ’Barnehurst Park Estate’ of New Ideal Homesteads Ltd
Ashen Drive, DA1 Ashen Drive is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Barnehurst Avenue, DA7 Barnehurst Avenue runs north from Merewood Road up to the Erith Road
Barnock Close, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Bascombe Grove, DA1 Bascombe Grove is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Bath Road, DA1 Bath Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Beech Haven Court, DA1 Beech Haven Court is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Beechcroft Avenue, DA7 Beechcroft Avenue is one of a series of north-south roads named alphabetically
Bexley Close, DA1 Bexley Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Bexley Lane, DA1 Bexley Lane is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Bourne Industrial Park, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Bourne Road, DA1 Bourne Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Bowmans Road, DA1 Bowmans Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Broomhill Road, DA1 Broomhill Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Carnet Close, DA1 Carnet Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Castleton Avenue, DA7 Castleton Avenue is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Chastilian Road, DA1 Chastilian Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Cheviot Close, DA7 Cheviot Close is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Chiltern Close, DA7 Chiltern Close is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Claremont Crescent, DA1 Claremont Crescent is a road in the DA1 postcode area (Crayford)
Claston Close, DA1 Claston Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area (Crayford)
Clive Avenue, DA1 Clive Avenue is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Cortland Close, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Cotswold Close, DA7 Cotswold Close is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Crayford Creek, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Crayford High Street Crayford, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Crayford High Street, DA1 Crayford High Street is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Crayford Road Crayford, DA1 Crayford Road Crayford is a location in London
Crayford Road, DA1 Crayford Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Crayforoad High Street, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode (Crayford)
Dale Close, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Dale End, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Dale Road, DA1 Dale Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Dartford Bypass, DA1 Dartford Bypass is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Dartford Road, DA1 Dartford Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Dawson Close, DA1 Dawson Close is a location in London (Crayford)
Denton Road, DA1 Denton Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Denver Road, DA1 Denver Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Downbank Avenue, DA7 Downbank Avenue is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Ducketts Road, DA1 Ducketts Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area (Crayford)
Edendale Road, DA7 Edendale Road is a road in the DA8 postcode area
Edendale Road, DA7 Edendale Road is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Empire Buildings, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Falstaff Close, DA1 Falstaff Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Gable Close, DA1 Gable Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area (Crayford)
Galloway Drive, DA1 Galloway Drive is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Gloucester Road, DA1 Gloucester Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Green Place, DA1 Green Place is a road in the DA1 postcode area (Crayford)
Greyhound Way, DA1 Greyhound Way is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Havelock Road, DA1 Havelock Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Heath Road, DA1 Heath Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Heather Drive, DA1 Heather Drive is a road in the DA1 postcode area
heatherbank Close, DA1 heatherbank Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Heathlands Rise, DA1 Heathlands Rise is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Heathlee Road, DA1 Heathlee Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Heathview Avenue, DA1 Heathview Avenue is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Helen Close, DA1 Helen Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Hill Brow, DA1 Hill Brow is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Hillcrest Road, DA1 Hillcrest Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Hillside Road, DA1 Hillside Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
James Road, DA1 James Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Knole Road, DA1 Knole Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Laurel Close, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
London Road, DA1 London Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
London Road, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Lower Station Road, DA1 Lower Station Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Marcus Road, DA1 Marcus Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Maxim Road, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Melrose Avenue, DA1 Melrose Avenue is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Mount Road, DA1 Mount Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
North Road, DA1 North Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Northumberland Way, DA7 Northumberland Way is a road in the DA8 postcode area
Old Bexley Lane, DA1 Old Bexley Lane is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Orchard Hill, DA1 Orchard Hill is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Peartree Close, DA7 A street within the DA8 postcode
Penny Farthing Bridge, DA1 Penny Farthing Bridge is a road in the DA14 postcode area
Princesses Parade, DA1 Princesses Parade dates from 1961
Quantock Road, DA7 Quantock Road is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Ridge Avenue, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Ridge Way, DA1 Ridge Way is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Rochester Way, DA1 Rochester Way is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Roman Way, DA1 Roman Way is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Ross Road, DA1 Ross Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Royston Road, DA1 Royston Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Saltcote Close, DA1 Saltcote Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Searle Place, DA1 Searle Place is a road in the N4 postcode area
Seaton Road, DA1 Seaton Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Shepherds Lane, DA1 Shepherds Lane is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Sherman Close, DA1 Sherman Close is a location in London (Crayford)
Somerset Road, DA1 Somerset Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
St Paulinus Primary School, DA1 St Paulinus Primary School is a road in the DA1 postcode area (Crayford)
Stadium Way, DA1 Stadium Way is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Station Road, DA1 Station Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Sullivan Close, DA1 Sullivan Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Swaisland Drive, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Swaislands Drive, DA1 Swaislands Drive is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Swallow Close, DA7 Swallow Close is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Swallow Close, DA8 Swallow Close is a road in the DA8 postcode area
Swan Lane, DA1 Swan Lane is a road in the DA1 postcode area
The Homestead, DA1 The Homestead is a road in the DA1 postcode area (Crayford)
The Parade, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Tower Park Road, DA1 Tower Park Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Tower Retail Park, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode (Crayford)
Townhall Sqaure, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode (Crayford)
Townhall Square, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Townhall Square, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Tudor Close, DA1 Tudor Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Valley Close, DA1 Valley Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Valley Road, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Venners Close, DA7 Venners Close is a road in the DA7 postcode area
Waltham Close, DA1 Waltham Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Waterside, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
Wentworth Drive, DA1 Wentworth Drive is a road in the DA1 postcode area
West Heath Close, DA1 A street within the DA1 postcode
West Heath Road, DA1 West Heath Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Western Terrace, DA1 Western Terrace is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Windsor Drive, DA1 Windsor Drive is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Wolsley Close, DA1 Wolsley Close is a road in the DA1 postcode area
Woolbrook Road, DA1 Woolbrook Road is a road in the DA1 postcode area

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