Did you know Biggin Hill started as a small settlement? It had about 500 people around 1900. They lived near Westerham Road and Jail Lane by the Black Horse Inn. Farms surrounded them including Biggin Hill Farm. The town got its name from this farm.
Let’s dive into the story of Biggin Hill. This area’s history dates back centuries. In 1499, it was first mentioned in an old deed. The name probably means “The hill next to the farm.” It might also come from someone named Bygge.
Historically, Biggin Hill was part of Cudham parish. The manor of Codeham was split in 1215. It became Apuldre, Bertray and Cowdham manors. Today, Biggin Hill mostly sits within Apuldre and Bertray. Bertray means a small clearing. It lives on in Berry’s Green’s name.
Apuldre means “the field with the apple trees”. In 1898, Frederick H. Dougal bought Aperfield Court. He later became the founder of Biggin Hill.
In 1903, building plots were sold. They were advertised as “the cheapest plots near London”. The plots suited poultry farming. Freehold houses and rentals were also advertised. There were no building laws. Dougal planned a railway from Orpington Station. It was meant to run through Biggin Hill, but he lacked the funds.
Ivor Novello grew up near Sunningvale Avenue. His mother, Dame Clara Novello, ran a “Musical Colony”. Noel Coward had a retreat in Melody Road.
Around ninety years ago, the area became known as Biggin Hill. Before that, it was farmland in Cudham parish. William the Conqueror gave the Manor of Aperfield to Bishop Odo of Bayeux.
In 1895, Frederick Henry Dougal bought Aperfield Manor. He sold the land cheaply in small parts. There was no real planning. The land could be used for any purpose. Roads like Main Road and Oaklands Lane stayed as they were.
Dougal hired Jesse Terry as estate agent. Brochures promoted the beautiful scenery. People could buy land with a small deposit. Daimler cars took people from Bromley to view the land.
Dougal’s initiative kick-started Biggin Hill’s development. Growth slowed after his death. His predictions about land profits eventually came true. By 1939, the land was heavily built upon. More development occurred in the 1960s.
Now, consider the birth of the airfield. In 1916, Royal Flying Corps officers sought a site for a new airfield. The Wireless Testing Park became the Wireless Experimental Establishment. Aperfield Court became wireless workshops. In 1917, the team created the first air-to-air speech transmission.
Biggin Hill became an operational fighter station. The first fighter sortie happened on December 7-8, 1917. Hardit Singh Malik served at Biggin Hill in 1918.
Between the wars, Biggin Hill was a key base for new technologies. Empire Air Days drew crowds of 20,000 or more. Spectators paid to speak to pilots mid-air. In 1936, Biggin Hill became the main station in C Sector of 11 Group. Preparations for war intensified in 1937.
During World War II, Biggin Hill defended London and the South-East. The role RAF Biggin Hill played is respected worldwide. The RAF Biggin Hill Museum and Chapel tell the stories of those who served. Today, you can experience a flight in a Spitfire at Biggin Hill. Biggin Hill’s history is rich. It moves from farmland to a crucial wartime airfield. It is a vibrant community with a unique past.