“A Lock by any other name…” I wonder if John Lock, the 18th-century landowner, ever imagined his name would become synonymous with this south-east London suburb. This is Locksbottom. It is a place with a surprisingly interesting past.
Locksbottom’s story starts with the Lock family. They were landowners here in the 1700s. John Lock’s presence is recorded in the 1766 Land and Window Tax records. He was assessed for 14 windows. His name stuck. Over time, the area became known as Locksbottom.
Before it was Locksbottom, this area was a key stop on the London Road. Travelers journeyed towards Tonbridge. A coaching inn, now known as Ye Olde Whyte Lion, has stood here since at least the 17th century.
Locksbottom played a vital role in social care. In 1845, a workhouse was established here. It later transformed into Farnborough Hospital in the 1920s. Today, it is the Princess Royal University Hospital. It serves as a major medical center.
The area transformed during the interwar years. Suburban development began and Locksbottom merged into Orpington. Despite these changes, Locksbottom retains its unique identity.
Locksbottom centers around a parade of shops on Crofton Road. This road stretches from Farnborough Common to Tugmutton Common. Exclusive gated communities, Keston Park and Farnborough Park, lie to the west and north.
Locksbottom also boasts three pubs. They are The Black Horse, The British Queen, and Ye Olde Whyte Lion. These pubs offer a glimpse into the area’s social life.
The area also has a church. It is St Michael’s and All Angel’s Roman Catholic Church. Henry Bingham Towner built it from 1961 to 1964. The church is made of loadbearing brickwork. It features an English bond around a steel frame.
Locksbottom has even made it onto the silver screen. The former Fantail Restaurant offered views of the village. This location appears in the 1954 film “Calling All Cars”. The film shows the land where St Michael’s Church now stands.
So, as you explore Locksbottom, remember its layers of history. From the Lock family to the modern hospital, Locksbottom is a place where the past and present intertwine. This small suburb continues to evolve. It preserves its unique character.