Bexley Village

12:42pm Wednesday 20th June 2007

Bexley Village is the heart of the ancient parish of Bexley, lying on the edge of London's metropolitan area and on the border of the county of Kent.

The village's prominence has been reduced by the development of Bexleyheath, but it still retains an important position in the borough.

The area is predominantly populated by 1930s housing estates, but earlier buildings can still be seen, particularly in the village itself, including the ancient manor house, High Street House, the Styleman's Almshouses and the parish church of St Mary's.

Bexley dates back to at least the fifth century when it was known as Byxlea, a settlement in a clearing of box trees.

Bexley also gets a mention in 814 when King Kenulph, the King of the Mercians, granted lands at Bexley village to Wulfred, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Throughout the Bexley borough tools and other artefacts have been found dating from the Stone Ages, the Bronze and Iron Ages and Roman times.

After centuries as a rural farming community, business in the area was stimulated by the arrival of the railway in 1866, which enabled produce to be transported quickly to the London markets.

The appeal of living in a Greater London suburb such as Bexley was highlighted as long ago as the 1880s when housing which sprung up during the Victorian period was aimed specifically at city commuters. Further house building took place during the 1930s as the village grew.

Bexley Village in the 21st century is an interesting place to visit for its diverse mix of old buildings and historic sites. Restaurants and pubs in the village are also popular.

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