Slade Green
Encyclopedia
Slade Green is a place in south- east London closer to the edge of London
located in the London Borough of Bexley
. It is a suburban development situated 14 miles (22.5 km) east-southeast of Charing Cross
and lying south of the River Thames
slightly to the west of the River Darenth and River Cray
.
Archaeological service revealed the presence of a prehistoric cookery pit.
What is now Slade Green consisted of two isolated agricultural communities of Slade Green (formerly Slades Green or Slads Green) and Northend, with most land belonging to either the Howbury Manor or Newbery Manor, and was referred to locally as 'Cabbage Island' because of the market gardens
that lay between the part of Whitehall Lane that is now Moat Lane and Slade Green Lane (now Slade Green Road).
In 1848 Samuel Lewis's 'A Topographical Dictionary of England' states that Slade Green was a hamlet with 66 people and Northend a hamlet with 191 people. Northend hamlet lay alongside Northend Road and around Colyers Lane and towards the boundary with Erith
at Boundary Street, and Slads Green hamlet lay alongside Slade Green Road (Slade Green Lane) near Hazel Road and down to Wallhouse Lane.
Development came with the railways and the areas use as a rail depot (originally designed to service 100 steam locomotives) and Slades Green station was opened to serve the depot and community on 1 July 1900 (the name was changed to Slade Green station
in 1953), and by 1910 the complete 'railway village' of 158 houses had been built. At around the turn of the 19th/20th centuries, land near the railway station was used to produce hand made bricks.
Originally marshland used for agriculture, the isolated Crayford Marshes that lie between Slade Green and the Rivers Thames
and Darenth
were an ideal location for a large ammunition works which survived until the 1960s. In 1924 this was the scene of a tragedy, as an explosion at the W.B. Gilbert premises on 19 February caused the death of 13 people. During the Second World War the marshes were used for anti-aircraft batterys. This land has since developed into the Darenth Industrial Estate.
During the Second World War the area was subject to a series of air raids, notably the night of 16 April 1941 when incendiary raids caused many fires and massive explosions were only avoided by extreme bravery of local people which saw 3 British Empire Medal
s and a George Medal
awarded. During the war the community was served by a British Restaurant
operated from St. Augustine's Church Hall, which supplied up to 250 lunches six days a week and also provided lunches for school children and local factories.
(English Heritage
), Howbury Moat, dating from c.900, and a Grade II Listed Tithe Barn
(c.1600s). The moat originally surrounded the Howbury Manor house, and holders of the Manor of Howbury included Bishop Odo, Roger Apylton (aka Appleton) and Sir Cloudesley Shovell
. After Apylton had May Place built in Crayford
, occupants of the property were tenant farmers, and, after the building of a new house (Howbury Grange) for the tenant farmer in 1882, by farm labourers, until the building was condemned in 1934. In 2006 the moat site was the subject of an English Heritage
sponsored research project by the University of Oxford
's Geography Department into techniques of Soft Wall Capping for preservation purposes.
The area around Oak Road and Moat Lane near the station lies within a conservation area, including the locally listed Railway Tavern (1a Moat Lane). These houses and the Tavern, recently converted to flats, were built by Smith & Sons of South Norwood around the year 1899, and were notable for being illuminated by electricity.
St. Augustine's Church was built in 1899 and extended in 1911. Substantial rebuilding work was required following a direct hit during an air raid during the Second World War in 1944, and following a fire in 1991 which destroyed the roof and much internal fabric.
; a third church – Pentecostal – meets in the Anglican Church's hall), three pubs (a fourth pub, the Railway Tavern, was converted to create ten flats in 2005/6), a community centre, two social clubs and an amateur football team Slade Green FC, which plays in the Kent League
. The Howbury Centre contains the local library, toddler group, pre-school and Bexley Council Social Services, as well as various social activities. Bexley Council are currently considering plans to redevelop the Howbury Centre site for housing. A Children's Centre in Lincoln Close is managed by Sure Start
. Erith Yacht Club is at a site on the edge of Crayford Marshes between Slade Green and Erith
.
Some nearby Green belt
land directly next to local marshland is planned to become a large road/rail freight depot, promoted by ProLogis. It was the subject of a Public Inquiry
, which started at the end of April 2007. The Inquiry essentially finished at the end of June 2007, but was adjourned rather than closed to allow minor changes to be made to the Environmental Statement, finally closing in September 2007. The result of the Public Inquiry was announced in December 2007 – ProLogis's appeal was upheld, allowing them to proceed with their plans, http://www.freightonrail.org.uk/PDF/07-12-20%20Final%20DL%20SE%20Trains%20Depot%20Bexley%20Dartford%201185897.pdf although they have not done so as at July 2009 (ProLogis have five years from the approval date in which to commence the work).
. In 1894 Slade Green was part of Dartford Rural District
, as created by the Local Government Act 1894
. In 1920 the area became part of the Crayford Urban District
of Kent
.
In 1965, under the London Government Act 1963
, the Crayford Urban District was abolished and its area transferred to Greater London to form part of the present-day London Borough of Bexley.
Slade Green is part of North End
in Bexley Borough, which also includes the eastern part of Erith.
Community interests are represented by Slade Green Community Forum, which is a registered charity.
. Trains from this station runs to London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street via Woolwich and Greenwich to the west. To the east the trains go to Dartford and a limited service (excludes Sundays and late evening) runs to Central London via Crayford and along the Sidcup line. Some weekend services go to Gravesend and Gillingham.
and operated by London Central runs between Lewisham
Station and Slade Green Station; The 89 has a frequency of 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and at evening and Sundays the 89 has a frequency of 20 minutes. In the early mornings a night bus service operates called the N89 which runs between Trafalgar Square
and Erith; The N89 has a frequency of every 30 minutes.
The 428 bus contracted by TfL and operated by Arriva runs between Bluewater Shopping Centre and Erith Town Centre; The 428 has a frequency of 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and at evening and Sundays the 428 has a frequency of 30 minutes.
The 99 bus contracted by TfL and operated by Selkent runs between Bexleyheath Shopping Centre and Woolwich. The 99 has a frequency of every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and during evenings and Sundays the 99 has a frequency of 15 minutes.
The 99 replaced route 469 from 24 January 2009.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
located in the London Borough of Bexley
London Borough of Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London...
. It is a suburban development situated 14 miles (22.5 km) east-southeast of Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
and lying south of the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
slightly to the west of the River Darenth and River Cray
River Cray
The River Cray is a tributary of the River Darent in southern England. It rises in Priory Gardens in Orpington in the London Borough of Bromley, where rainwater permeates the chalk bedrock and forms a pond at the boundary between the chalk and impermeable clay...
.
History and development
There is some evidence of human occupation of the area in prehistoric times – work at the site of the Hollywood Way estate by the Museum of LondonMuseum of London
The Museum of London documents the history of London from the Prehistoric to the present day. The museum is located close to the Barbican Centre, as part of the striking Barbican complex of buildings created in the 1960s and 70s as an innovative approach to re-development within a bomb damaged...
Archaeological service revealed the presence of a prehistoric cookery pit.
What is now Slade Green consisted of two isolated agricultural communities of Slade Green (formerly Slades Green or Slads Green) and Northend, with most land belonging to either the Howbury Manor or Newbery Manor, and was referred to locally as 'Cabbage Island' because of the market gardens
Market gardening
A market garden is the relatively small-scale production of fruits, vegetables and flowers as cash crops, frequently sold directly to consumers and restaurants. It is distinguishable from other types of farming by the diversity of crops grown on a small area of land, typically, from under one acre ...
that lay between the part of Whitehall Lane that is now Moat Lane and Slade Green Lane (now Slade Green Road).
In 1848 Samuel Lewis's 'A Topographical Dictionary of England' states that Slade Green was a hamlet with 66 people and Northend a hamlet with 191 people. Northend hamlet lay alongside Northend Road and around Colyers Lane and towards the boundary with Erith
Erith
Erith is a district of southeast London on the River Thames. Erith's town centre has undergone a series of modernisations since 1961.-Pre-medieval:...
at Boundary Street, and Slads Green hamlet lay alongside Slade Green Road (Slade Green Lane) near Hazel Road and down to Wallhouse Lane.
Development came with the railways and the areas use as a rail depot (originally designed to service 100 steam locomotives) and Slades Green station was opened to serve the depot and community on 1 July 1900 (the name was changed to Slade Green station
Slade Green railway station
Slade Green railway station is in the London Borough of Bexley, southeast London, on the North Kent Line. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Southeastern.- Services :The typical off-peak service from the station is:...
in 1953), and by 1910 the complete 'railway village' of 158 houses had been built. At around the turn of the 19th/20th centuries, land near the railway station was used to produce hand made bricks.
Originally marshland used for agriculture, the isolated Crayford Marshes that lie between Slade Green and the Rivers Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
and Darenth
River Darent
The River Darent or River Darenth is a Kentish tributary of the River Thames in England. Its name is believed to be from a Celtic word meaning 'river where oak-trees grow'...
were an ideal location for a large ammunition works which survived until the 1960s. In 1924 this was the scene of a tragedy, as an explosion at the W.B. Gilbert premises on 19 February caused the death of 13 people. During the Second World War the marshes were used for anti-aircraft batterys. This land has since developed into the Darenth Industrial Estate.
During the Second World War the area was subject to a series of air raids, notably the night of 16 April 1941 when incendiary raids caused many fires and massive explosions were only avoided by extreme bravery of local people which saw 3 British Empire Medal
British Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
s and a George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
awarded. During the war the community was served by a British Restaurant
British Restaurant
British Restaurants were communal kitchens created during the Second World War to ensure communities and people who had run out of rationing coupons were still able to eat....
operated from St. Augustine's Church Hall, which supplied up to 250 lunches six days a week and also provided lunches for school children and local factories.
Notable buildings
Between Slade Green and Crayford Marshes lies a Scheduled Ancient MonumentScheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
(English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
), Howbury Moat, dating from c.900, and a Grade II Listed Tithe Barn
Tithe barn
A tithe barn was a type of barn used in much of northern Europe in the Middle Ages for storing the tithes - a tenth of the farm's produce which had to be given to the church....
(c.1600s). The moat originally surrounded the Howbury Manor house, and holders of the Manor of Howbury included Bishop Odo, Roger Apylton (aka Appleton) and Sir Cloudesley Shovell
Cloudesley Shovell
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Cloudesley Shovell , was an English naval officer. Rising through the ranks and fighting in many of the important battles of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, he became a popular British hero, whose celebrated career was brought to an end in a disastrous shipwreck in...
. After Apylton had May Place built in Crayford
Crayford
Crayford is a town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bexley that was an important bridging point in Roman times across the River Cray, a tributary of the River Darent, which is itself a tributary of the River Thames.-History:...
, occupants of the property were tenant farmers, and, after the building of a new house (Howbury Grange) for the tenant farmer in 1882, by farm labourers, until the building was condemned in 1934. In 2006 the moat site was the subject of an English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
sponsored research project by the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
's Geography Department into techniques of Soft Wall Capping for preservation purposes.
The area around Oak Road and Moat Lane near the station lies within a conservation area, including the locally listed Railway Tavern (1a Moat Lane). These houses and the Tavern, recently converted to flats, were built by Smith & Sons of South Norwood around the year 1899, and were notable for being illuminated by electricity.
St. Augustine's Church was built in 1899 and extended in 1911. Substantial rebuilding work was required following a direct hit during an air raid during the Second World War in 1944, and following a fire in 1991 which destroyed the roof and much internal fabric.
Present and future
The area is now mainly residential with a mixture of social housing and cheaper owned properties, with some industry confined to the site of the old works and the area adjacent to the railway which has large carriage depot for rolling stock on the line. There are two churches (Christian Fellowship – part of the Baptist Union, and St Augustine's Anglican parish churchParish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
; a third church – Pentecostal – meets in the Anglican Church's hall), three pubs (a fourth pub, the Railway Tavern, was converted to create ten flats in 2005/6), a community centre, two social clubs and an amateur football team Slade Green FC, which plays in the Kent League
Kent League
The Kent League is an English football league for teams based in Kent and south east London, which was established in 1966. It was also the name of a similar league which existed from 1894 until 1959.-History:...
. The Howbury Centre contains the local library, toddler group, pre-school and Bexley Council Social Services, as well as various social activities. Bexley Council are currently considering plans to redevelop the Howbury Centre site for housing. A Children's Centre in Lincoln Close is managed by Sure Start
Sure Start
Sure Start is a UK Government initiative applying in England, originating with HM Treasury, with the aim of "giving children the best possible start in life" through improvement of childcare, early education, health and family support, with an emphasis on outreach and community development...
. Erith Yacht Club is at a site on the edge of Crayford Marshes between Slade Green and Erith
Erith
Erith is a district of southeast London on the River Thames. Erith's town centre has undergone a series of modernisations since 1961.-Pre-medieval:...
.
Some nearby Green belt
Green belt
A green belt or greenbelt is a policy and land use designation used in land use planning to retain areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding or neighbouring urban areas. Similar concepts are greenways or green wedges which have a linear character and may run through an...
land directly next to local marshland is planned to become a large road/rail freight depot, promoted by ProLogis. It was the subject of a Public Inquiry
Public inquiry
A Tribunal of Inquiry is an official review of events or actions ordered by a government body in Common Law countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland or Canada. Such a public inquiry differs from a Royal Commission in that a public inquiry accepts evidence and conducts its hearings in a more...
, which started at the end of April 2007. The Inquiry essentially finished at the end of June 2007, but was adjourned rather than closed to allow minor changes to be made to the Environmental Statement, finally closing in September 2007. The result of the Public Inquiry was announced in December 2007 – ProLogis's appeal was upheld, allowing them to proceed with their plans, http://www.freightonrail.org.uk/PDF/07-12-20%20Final%20DL%20SE%20Trains%20Depot%20Bexley%20Dartford%201185897.pdf although they have not done so as at July 2009 (ProLogis have five years from the approval date in which to commence the work).
Local governance
Slade Green is within the historic boundaries of KentKent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. In 1894 Slade Green was part of Dartford Rural District
Dartford Rural District
Dartford Rural District was a rural district with an area of in the county of Kent, England. In 1971 it had a population of 64,561 and an electorate of 43,911...
, as created by the Local Government Act 1894
Local Government Act 1894
The Local Government Act 1894 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales outside the County of London. The Act followed the reforms carried out at county level under the Local Government Act 1888...
. In 1920 the area became part of the Crayford Urban District
Crayford Urban District
Crayford was a local government district in north west Kent from 1920 to 1965 around the town of Crayford. As well as Crayford, it included Barnehurst, Barnes Cray and Slade Green.It was created an urban district in 1920 from part of Dartford Rural District....
of Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
.
In 1965, under the London Government Act 1963
London Government Act 1963
The London Government Act 1963 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which recognised officially the conurbation known as Greater London and created a new local government structure for the capital. The Act significantly reduced the number of local government districts in the area,...
, the Crayford Urban District was abolished and its area transferred to Greater London to form part of the present-day London Borough of Bexley.
Slade Green is part of North End
North End (Bexley ward)
North End is an electoral ward in the London Borough of Bexley which consists of Slade Green, the eastern part of Erith and a tiny part of Barnehurst, along with parts of Northend. Community interests are represented by , which is a registered charity...
in Bexley Borough, which also includes the eastern part of Erith.
Community interests are represented by Slade Green Community Forum, which is a registered charity.
Education
There is an Infant School, a Junior School plus a smaller Primary School. Bexley Council's Secondary Pupil Referral Unit is on the Howbury Centre site.- For education in Slade Green see the main London Borough of Bexley article
Nearest places
- ErithErithErith is a district of southeast London on the River Thames. Erith's town centre has undergone a series of modernisations since 1961.-Pre-medieval:...
- Northumberland HeathNorthumberland HeathNorthumberland Heath is a neighbourhood and electoral ward within the London Borough of Bexley, south east London, England. Northumberland Heath is often referred to locally as "North' Heath" and is often considered to be part of upper Erith.-History:...
- Barnes CrayBarnes CrayBarnes Cray is a place in the London Borough of Bexley. Its name derives from the prominent local Barne family.Up until the Victorian era it was a hamlet a kilometre downstream of Crayford where no more than sixteen homes were clustered...
- BarnehurstBarnehurstBarnehurst is a town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bexley, England. It is a suburban development in Southeast London located 12.5 miles east south-east of Charing Cross.-History:...
- BexleyheathBexleyheathBexleyheath is a main suburban district of Southeast London, England, in the London Borough of Bexley with a small percentage of the district itself being in the London Borough of Greenwich. Bexleyheath is located on the border of Inner London and Outer London. It is east south-east of Charing Cross...
- CrayfordCrayfordCrayford is a town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bexley that was an important bridging point in Roman times across the River Cray, a tributary of the River Darent, which is itself a tributary of the River Thames.-History:...
Places of Worship
- St Augustines (Anglican)
- Slade Green Christian Fellowship (Baptist)
Rail
The nearest railway stations in the area are Slade Green railway stationSlade Green railway station
Slade Green railway station is in the London Borough of Bexley, southeast London, on the North Kent Line. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Southeastern.- Services :The typical off-peak service from the station is:...
. Trains from this station runs to London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street via Woolwich and Greenwich to the west. To the east the trains go to Dartford and a limited service (excludes Sundays and late evening) runs to Central London via Crayford and along the Sidcup line. Some weekend services go to Gravesend and Gillingham.
Buses
The 89 bus contracted by TfLTransport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
and operated by London Central runs between Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
Station and Slade Green Station; The 89 has a frequency of 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and at evening and Sundays the 89 has a frequency of 20 minutes. In the early mornings a night bus service operates called the N89 which runs between Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
and Erith; The N89 has a frequency of every 30 minutes.
The 428 bus contracted by TfL and operated by Arriva runs between Bluewater Shopping Centre and Erith Town Centre; The 428 has a frequency of 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and at evening and Sundays the 428 has a frequency of 30 minutes.
The 99 bus contracted by TfL and operated by Selkent runs between Bexleyheath Shopping Centre and Woolwich. The 99 has a frequency of every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and during evenings and Sundays the 99 has a frequency of 15 minutes.
The 99 replaced route 469 from 24 January 2009.