Once known as Hatcham. Now, we call it New Cross Gate. This area has a rich history. It transformed from a small settlement to a bustling London suburb.
New Cross Gate’s story begins long ago. The Domesday Book of 1086 mentions Hatcham. It describes a manor with land for ploughs and villagers. Woodland was also noted.
The name New Cross emerged later. It is believed to come from a coaching house. This house was originally called the Golden Cross. It was near the current New Cross House pub. Diarist John Evelyn even mentioned “New Crosse” in 1675. He met a friend there before travelling to France.
In 1718, the New Cross Turnpike Trust was established. This trust set up a tollgate. It was near the New Cross House Inn on Clifton Rise. The tollgate led to the area becoming known as New Cross Gate.
The New Cross Turnpike Trust became quite famous. It managed almost 40 miles of main roads. These roads stretched from Bermondsey to Croydon.
The tollgate later moved. In 1819, it relocated to the junction of Queen’s Road and New Cross Road. This move followed the opening of Camberwell New Road from Vauxhall.
The railways arrived in the 1830s. Two companies built lines through the area. The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway opened a station in 1839. The South Eastern Railway followed with another in 1849. Both stations were named “New Cross”.
This caused confusion. To resolve it, the Southern Railway renamed one station in 1923. The “Brighton” station became New Cross Gate. The “South Eastern” station remained New Cross.
The railways shaped New Cross Gate. The station became a focal point. It connected the area to other parts of London and beyond. Commuters travelled through New Cross Gate daily.
Today, New Cross Gate is a vibrant area. It still bears the marks of its past. The name reminds us of the old tollgate. The railways continue to connect people.
The area saw significant change in the 19th century. The Haberdashers’ Company played a key role. They developed the Hatcham Manor Estate. This estate provided housing for the middle classes.
Goldsmiths, University of London is a major institution here. It started as the Royal Naval School in 1843. The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths later bought the building. In 1891, they opened the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Technical and Recreative Institute.
New Cross Gate has seen its share of tragedy. During World War II, a V-2 rocket struck a Woolworths store in 1944. This devastating event killed 168 people. A commemorative plaque now marks the site.
Music has also played a role in New Cross’s culture. In the 1990s, The Venue nightclub hosted many famous bands. Oasis, Blur, and Pulp all played there.
Even now, New Cross Gate is evolving. New residents come. New businesses open. The area continues to adapt while remembering its unique history.
So, as we stand here at New Cross Gate, remember its journey. From a small manor to a vital London hub. The story of New Cross Gate is etched in its streets. It is in its buildings. It is in the very air we breathe.