20th Century Chislehurst

In 1924 when the A20, Sidcup By-pass road was opened it was possible to walk across fields from the White Horse to Grove Park without so much as encountering a house. In 1931 fields to the north and east were taken over by roads such as Greenway, Hill Close, Westhurst Drive, Woodside Avenue, Holmdale, Hillview and Mainridge. However, in later years the whole area was to be covered by a London County Council housing estate.

The building of new schools was required to keep up with the rising population. Chislehurst's first Grammar School for girls was located in Beaverwood Road in 1925 with the Grammar School for Boys at Crittalls Corner opening later in 1938. It was however, transferred later to a new building in Hurst Road in Sidcup.

With the arrival of WWII in 1939, public shelters were dug beneath Chislehurst Common along with a brick-built rescue centre built in the open space of Walden with access from Ingleby Way. The fact that Chislehurst lay in a direct line with the Straits of Dover and London was to have drastic consequences for the area during the Battle of Britain of1940. Woodcliffe Manor Hotel on Summer Hill along with Ivybridge at the bottom of Old Hill were demolished. Mulbarton Court in Kemnal Road was hit and the Fox and Hounds in the High Street was virtually destroyed.

The night bombings of the area continued until at least 1942. The locals, along with large numbers of people from London took shelter in Chislehurst Caves located 120 feet below ground. Electric lighting, air conditioning and sanitary arrangements were installed and even a church set up in one of the caverns allowing for daily services to be held. Furniture was taken in, and for those who had lost their homes, the caves for them became a permanent place to live. WWII brought considerable damage and tragedy to Chislehurst with 178 people killed, 1,539 injured and 14,000 properties damaged or destroyed.

As the value of land in Chislehurst succeeded that of the houses upon it, many older homes were demolished thereby making way for smaller properties. The old Rectory of 1735 was replaced in 1960 along with the stables, orchard and meadow giving way to Bishops Way and The Glebe. Holbrook and Hawkwood were taken over by modern replacements as well as that of Heatherbank on Summerhill, Old Hill House and other large buildings.

In May 1963 a storm of controversy arose when the Water Tower was demolished. It had stood straddling the top of Summerhill since 1860. Originally erected by George Wythes as the entrance to his estate it had become to be regarded as the gateway to Chislehurst. Much effort was made to keep it but a majority vote was in favour of its demise.

With thanks to the Commons and the relentless efforts of the residents of Chislehurst much of the area has managed to keep its outward appearance relatively unchanged, with most of it now considered a conservation area.