insideKENT Magazine Issue 33 - December 2014 | Page 133

TOWNSPOTLIGHT S P O T L I G H T O N Chislehurst It’s the best of both worlds in Chislehurst; this gorgeous place has all the charm and character of a traditional Kentish village, and yet is also part of Greater London, with easy access to the city and beyond. Whether you want the peace and quiet of the countryside or the hustle and busy of town life, Chislehurst offers it all. BY LISAMARIE LAMB History in Brief Things to Do The name Chislehurst is Saxon, and, literally translated, means ‘gravelly wood’. The reason for the name becomes evident the more you walk around the wooded areas surrounding the village; not much has changed in a thousand years. The area was never particularly good for agriculture, so instead the main income of Chislehurst was derived from mining for chalk and lime, and the well-known Chislehurst Caves are part of that mining industry from so long ago. Chislehurst Caves The Chislehurst Caves are probably the most famous attraction in Chislehurst. Every day you can visit the caves and take part in a guided tour, where experts on both Chislehurst and the caves themselves will give you an idea of the history behind these six hectares of underground passages that lie 30 metres below the ground. Your guide will take you on a journey of true discovery, with just a lamp lighting the way. It’s atmospheric, fascinating, and creepy, and shouldn’t be missed. The tours start at 10am each day, and then continue on the hour until 4pm, and last for around 45 minutes. With free parking, a café, and a gift shop, visiting the Chislehurst Caves is an excellent way to spend some time. Chislehurst was first mentioned in records in AD973, when King Edgar gave a piece of land (Chislehurst) to St Andrews Priory in Rochester. It grew from there, really coming into its own in 1865 when the railway was built, and wealthy Londoners found they could move out of the city into more peaceful surroundings, but still commute to the office for work. It was at this time that more and more beautiful houses were built to accommodate them. From then on, Chislehurst kept growing and adapting, reaching a peak in the mid-1970s after which new building slowed and the village settled back down to an attractive, fascinating existence. Scadbury Park and Manor House Scadbury Park Nature Reserve is a 300-acre area of tranquillity and beauty. Perfect for taking a long, leisurely walk in, there are a number of public footpaths that will take you through Saxon woodland which includes oak, ash, sycamore, birch, and more. You can even walk to the site of Scadbury Manor House, which, in its time, was surrounded by a moat, and dates back to at least 1424 when Thomas Walsingham purchased it. Although a ruin now, it must have been spectacular once. 133 Royal Parade Royal Parade is a wonderful place to go shopping. Full of interesting and unique shops that characterise Chislehurst’s village atmosphere, here you can find everything from shoes to menswear, from designer clothing to stunning art. And why is it called Royal Parade? It’s because this is where Queen Victoria loved to shop when she visited Chislehurst. World of Golf For golf enthusiasts, Chislehurst’s World of Golf offers ‘the complete golfing experience’. Whether you’re an expert with the clubs or an absolute beginner it doesn’t matter; World of Golf will have someone on hand to give you hints and tips, and guide you on your way, as well as offering a superb driving range that rivals any found elsewhere. Dolls’ House Parade Dolls’ House Parade (on Royal Parade) is a charming shop that, of course, specialises in dolls’ houses and dolls’ house furniture. But more than that it gives customers an opportunity to indulge in their hobby, to learn more about it, and to speak to those who are passionate about miniatures and dolls’ houses.