Bexley Leasing

Did You Know?

The London borough of Bexley was formed in 1965 when the areas of Erith, Crayford and Sidcup were amalgamated. Today the area is densely populated with the River Thames situated to north of the borough, Bromley to the south and Greenwich west.

Despite its age — when you next flick through a copy of the Domesday Book, you'll find the town mentioned as Bix — the area we now know as the Borough of Bexley was practically unoccupied until the 19th century. It was home to three mills, 41 residents, and 10 smallholders.

As with many places in Britain, the town names in Bexley have a lot to do with the lay of the land. Sidcup first appeared in 1254 as Cetecopp, the name coming from Old English words meaning either a fold in a hill or seat-shaped or flat-topped hill. Hark back to Saxon times and you'll find the beginnings of Erith, which means muddy harbour or gravelly landing place.

Bexley, Ohio is a suburb of the city of Columbus and like many American towns was named after its British predecessor. The name was a suggestion by early resident, Mr Kilbourne, who had family routes in Bexley, England.

It is one of the greenest London boroughs with a plentiful supply parks and open spaces. Bexley's green credentials are further enhanced by the fact that it has the highest combined household recycling and composting rate in London.

One of the UK 's most successful famous female solo performers was born in Bexley Maternity Hospital on the 30 th July 1958. Catherine Bush, better known as Kate, stormed the UK singles chart in 1978 with her haunting debut single Wuthering Heights.

The world renowned author Roald Dahl, famous for writing classics such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, was known to have lived in Bexley for a time.

The oldest public house in Bexley is the Crook Log, where there was a turnpike toll. John Elcombe acquired the license in 1784 but there is some evidence of a license dated 1605. It changed its names several times: Crooked Billet, Fox and Hounds and finally to Crook Log.