Chislehurst
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chislehurst | |
  Chislehurst shown within Greater London |
|
| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| London borough | Bromley |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | London |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CHISLEHURST |
| Postcode district | BR7 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| European Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | Bromley & Chislehurst |
| London Assembly | Bexley and Bromley |
| List of places: UK • England • London | |
Chislehurst ['tʃɪzɫhɜːst] is a suburban settlement in south east London, England and part of the London Borough of Bromley.
Contents |
[edit] Etymology
The name "Chislehurst" is derived from the Saxon words "cisel" which means gravel and "hyrst" which means wooded hill.
[edit] History
Camden Place (now Chislehurst Golf Club) is where the French Emperor Napoleon III died in exile in 1873. His body and that of the Prince Imperial were buried originally in St Mary's Church, before they were removed to Farnborough Abbey. There is a memorial to Napoléon Eugène in the woods, and the area's connections with the imperial family are found in many road names and in the local telephone code, 467, which in its earlier format corresponded to the letters IMP (for imperial).
A local attraction is Chislehurst Caves. The caves are considered to be of very ancient origin. They were originally used to mine flint and chalk. During World War II, thousands of people used them nightly as an air raid shelter. There is even a chapel. One child was born in the caves during World War II, and her name was 'Cavina'. The caves have also been used as a venue for live music; Jimi Hendrix, The Who and The Rolling Stones have all played there. The caves are reputedly haunted, and Druids are said to have made grisly human sacrifices in their depths. A number of television programmes and films, including episodes of Doctor Who, have been filmed there. Tours are available most days, and on Sundays there is an especially extended tour, lasting approximately one and a half hours. One house in Chislehurst has a back garden with a closed entrance to Chislehurst Caves[citation needed].
The Chislehurst civil parish formed an urban district of Kent from 1894 to 1934.[1] In 1934 it became part of the Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District,[2] which was split in 1965 between the London boroughs of Bromley and Bexley.
[edit] Chislehurst Today
Chislehurst West may be found by going towards Mottingham, and this area includes the biggest of the ponds, and the High Street, which has many pubs and restaurants. Chislehurst West was previously known as 'Pricking' and 'Prickend'.
Chislehurst is one of the starting points for the Green Chain Walk, linking to places such as Crystal Palace, Erith, the Thames Barrier and Thamesmead.
[edit] Educational establishments
Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication
[edit] Famous residents
- Malcolm Campbell, former Land and Water Speed Record Holder, was born in Chislehurst and is buried in St. Nicholas Parish Church next to his parents.
- Richmal Crompton, author of the Just William series of books for children of all ages.
- Alan Watts, philosopher, born and raised in Chislehurst, moved to the US in 1938.
- William Willett, a campaigner for daylight saving time, lived most of his adult life in Chislehurst.
[edit] Places of Worship
- St Patrick's Catholic Church, Redhill, Chislehurst
- Christ Church, Lubbock Road[3]
- Elmstead Baptist Church, Elmstead Lane[4]
- Chislehurst Methodist Church[5]
- The Annuncation, High Street, Chislehurst[6]
- St. Nicholas, Church Lane, Chislehurst[7]
- Sir Francis Walshingham, spy master to Elizabeth I, and his son, Sir Thomas Walshingham
[edit] Transport and locale
[edit] Nearest places
[edit] Nearest railway station
[edit] References
- ^ Vision of Britain - Chilsehurst UD (historic map)
- ^ Vision of Britain - Chislehurst and Sidcup UD (historic map)
- ^ East Kent IT Solutions Web Server
- ^ Elmstead Baptist Church, Chislehurst
- ^ Chislehurst
- ^ Chislehurst, Chislehurst: The Annunciation Church - Kent | Diocese of Rochester
- ^ Chislehurst, Chislehurst: St Nicholas Church - Kent | Diocese of Rochester
[edit] External links
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