Watling Street, the spine of Bexleyheath, whispers tales of Roman legions marching towards Londinium. Today, we stand in Bexleyheath, a town with a history stretching back to Roman times. For centuries, Bexleyheath remained largely undeveloped heathland. It was a place of wild pastures and scrub, offering little more than a stop on the road to somewhere else.
But Bexleyheath began to transform in the 19th century. In 1814, much of the heath was enclosed. This privatization paved the way for new development and Bexleyheath started its journey towards becoming a town. Key to Bexleyheath’s growth was Alfred Bean. Bean was a railway engineer. He championed the Bexleyheath Line in the 1880s. This line spurred the creation of estates around Danson Park. Danson Park was once part of Sir John Boyd’s estate.
Look around you and imagine Bexleyheath in 1912. The clock tower was built in the centre of the shopping area. It commemorated the coronation of King George V. The clock tower still stands today. It also marks Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee with a bust installed in 2012.
Bexleyheath officially became part of Greater London in 1965. Before that, it was part of Kent. With the creation of Greater London, Bexleyheath became the administrative base for the new London Borough of Bexley. The 1980s and 1990s saw major changes to the town centre. The roads were redeveloped and the area adjacent to the shopping centre became a pedestrian zone.
The Broadway Shopping Centre, completed in 1984, is a testament to Bexleyheath’s growth as a retail hub. A renovation in 2008 gave it a more modern interior. In the early 2000s, Bexleyheath Square added more retail units. These investments helped Bexleyheath compete with larger shopping centres like Bluewater.
Take a moment to admire “Family Outing”. This statue stands outside the Broadway Centre. Local artist John Ravera created it. Norwich Union commissioned the statue and it was unveiled in 1985.
Bexleyheath continues to evolve. In 2012, the Borough’s Civic Offices were converted from the former main office of The Woolwich. In 2018, plans were approved to build 518 new homes on the vacant site. The development includes Bexleyheath’s tallest building with 13 storeys.
Today, Bexleyheath is a thriving town, drawing customers from surrounding areas. It boasts a range of leisure facilities. These include the Edward Alderton Theatre and a Cineworld cinema. The Central Library and Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre offer cultural enrichment.
As we conclude our exploration of Bexleyheath, remember its journey from wild heathland to a bustling town. From Roman roads to modern developments, Bexleyheath’s history is etched into its very fabric. The town continues to grow, but its past remains a vital part of its identity.