Ever wondered what lies beneath the asphalt of a busy London street? Today we are standing on the Old Kent Road. It is a major thoroughfare in South East London. Let’s uncover the hidden layers of this iconic road.
The Old Kent Road has a history stretching back over 2,000 years. It is one of Britain’s oldest roads. Some suggest parts may have prehistoric origins. Since Roman times, this road has been the primary route between London, Canterbury, and the Kent coast. The Anglo-Saxons knew it as Wæcelinga Stræt. Later generations knew it simply as the Kent Road. Today we call it the Old Kent Road.
In medieval times, the road was a major part of the pilgrimage route to Canterbury. Geoffrey Chaucer immortalized it in The Canterbury Tales. Pilgrims traveled this route for spiritual journeys. Soldiers also marched this way after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Celebrations filled the Old Kent Road as they headed towards London.
The 1800s brought significant changes. London expanded rapidly. Terraced houses, schools, churches, and gardens appeared. Industry began to flourish. The Grand Surrey Canal reached the Old Kent Road in 1807. It ensured the area would be more than just a residential suburb. Tanneries and soap processing plants were established. Older properties became flats for the working class.
By 1845, the Bricklayers Arms goods station opened. The Old Kent Road had one of the highest population densities in Europe. Tramways were constructed in 1871. This further transformed the area.
The Rolls family played a significant role. They acquired land around the Old Kent Road in the early 18th century. They developed residential areas like Surrey Square and the Paragon. Charles Stewart Rolls, of Rolls-Royce fame, was one of the last of the male Rolls.
The Metropolitan Gas Works was founded in 1833. It serviced a vast area. Expansion in 1868 required the demolition of Christ Church. The church was rebuilt across the road. George Livesey managed the gas works from 1840 until his death in 1908.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Old Kent Road became known for organized crime. Boxing clubs were popular. Lennox Lewis’ manager, Frank Maloney, grew up here.
The Old Kent Road railway station opened in 1866. It closed in 1917. The Camberwell Public Baths opened in 1905. They were the first in London with municipal Turkish baths. Sadly, they were destroyed in the Blitz during World War II.
Unlike many London areas, the Old Kent Road did not suffer major bomb damage during World War II. In 1968, a flyover opened at the northern end. During the 1970s, older properties were replaced with housing estates. Burgess Park was created.
Many pubs have closed since the 1980s. The Dun Cow, a former gin palace, became a surgery. The World Turned Upside Down, a historic pub, is now a Domino’s Pizza. The Duke of Kent pub was converted into a mosque in 1999 and later demolished.
Today, the Old Kent Road features retail parks and large stores. Southwark Council is planning a major redevelopment. This includes new Bakerloo line stations and thousands of new homes.
Culturally, the Old Kent Road is famous as the first property on the Monopoly board. It is also featured in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. The music hall song “Knocked ’em in the Old Kent Road” celebrates working-class London life.
Recently, archaeologists uncovered a well-preserved section of Watling Street. This ancient Roman road lies directly beneath the Old Kent Road. It is a testament to the road’s enduring history. The discovery highlights the layers of history beneath our feet.
So, as we stand here on the Old Kent Road, remember its long and varied past. From Roman roads to medieval pilgrims to industrial growth and modern redevelopment, the Old Kent Road is a testament to London’s ever-evolving story. Its history is etched into the very ground beneath us.