Bickley
| Bickley | |
| Kent | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Church of Saint George in Bickley | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ423688 |
| Location: | 51°24’1"N, -0°2’48"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 13,904 (2001) |
| Post town: | Bromley |
| Postcode: | BR1, BR2 |
| Dialling code: | 020 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Bromley |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Bromley & Biggin Hill |
Bickley is a village now absorbs into a suburb of Bromley in the north-west of Kent. It borders Elmstead to the north, Chislehurst to the north-east and east, Petts Wood to the south-east, Southborough to the south, Bromley to the south-west and west and Widmore to the north-west.
The village's name is first recorded in 1279. It derives from the Old English Biccan leag, meaning 'Bicca's meadow': Bicca is either a personal name, or means a pointed ridge.[1]
History
The area remained rural, save for a small hunting lodge belonging to the Wells family dating to 1759.[1] The Lodge was gradually enlarged to become Bickley Hall, a classical house designed by Robert Mylne FRS, for John Wells, shipbuilder, in 1780 (demolished 1963). His brother William, shipbuilder and a director of Greenwich Hospital, inherited the estate, and his son John commissioned additions by Robert Smirke in 1810.
John Wells began selling part of his lands in 1841 following due to financial difficulties, and by the late 1850s a few large houses had been built in the area, aided by the opening of Bickley railway station (formerly named Southborough Road) in 1858 and Chislehurst station in 1865.[1] Much of the area was purchased and developed by George Wythes, who commissioned numerous large houses for the wealthy classes, most of them designed by Richard Norman Shaw and Ernest Newton. St George's Church was built in 1865, and a cricket ground in 1868.[1] Smaller-scale development continued throughout the early 20th century and several of the older, larger properties were demolished or sub-divided.[1] The area today remains a wealthy one, characterised by large detached housing.[1]
Churches
- Church of England:
- Baptist: Southborough Lane Baptist Church
Parks in Bickley
- Jubilee Country Park has 62 acres of wildflower meadows, hedgerows and semi-natural ancient woodland. There is a cycle route through this park to Petts Wood. The London LOOP footpath also goes through Jubilee Park and it is linked to National Trust countryside at Petts Wood and beyond that to Scadbury Park Nature Reserve.
- Whitehall Recreation Ground is a large play area with a children's playground.
- Widmore Recreation Ground is a small local park with a children's playground
Pictures
-
Bickley sign on Bickley Park Road -
Woodlands Road, lined by substantial detached properties -
The Elms, Bickley -
St George's Church -
A typical house in the area -
Bickley rail station
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Willey, Russ (2006). The London Gazzetteer. Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. p. 42.
- ↑ St George's Church, Bickley
- ↑ National Heritage List 1064311: Church of St George (Grade II listing)
- ↑ St. Augustine's Church