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.
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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.